Namibia’s biomass revolution: Turning overgrowth into opportunity

By Kirsty Watermeyer

With 45 million hectares of the country considered “bush encroached”, Namibia finds itself in a unique situation – one which holds the potential to provide revenue and opportunity.  And indeed, a dynamic industry is developing around the biomass resource. Here is a summary of what was discussed at the recent Standard Bank Biomass Fair 2023. 

Under the theme Igniting the Growth of the Biomass Sector in Namibia the three-day Standard Bank Biomass Fair showcased biomass technology as well as field demonstrations to promote the booming biomass sector in Namibia.

Implemented by the Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG), the Charcoal Association of Namibia (CAoN) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), this event brought together stakeholders from all over the globe to network and exchange best practices and knowledge on bush control and biomass utilisation. 

Nelson Lucas, acting CEO of Standard Bank, said, “Our commitment to this event and the larger cause it represents stems from a deep belief in the transformative power of sustainable energy solutions and the pivotal role the biomass industry plays in shaping a greener future.”

 N-BiG estimates that 1.5 billion tonnes of biomass are standing on bush-encroached land in Namibia and 30 percent of this biomass could be harvested sustainably. These estimates do not include the annual expansion of bush-encroached areas nor the regrowth in harvested areas. Regrowth of woody biomass alone is estimated at more than 10 million tonnes annually. Currently, only two million tonnes of biomass are removed in Namibia per year. 

As Environmental Commissioner Timo Mufeti pointed out in his speech on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, “Government, as the regulator, is yearning to work with the industry to ensure the bush biomass resources are exploited in a responsible manner to achieve rangeland restoration while safeguarding environmental wellbeing.”

Dr Colin Stanley, NUST’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Partnerships, emphasised in his keynote speech that Namibia’s biomass sector can create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of revenue in the country, tackling climate change and creating a vibrant future for all Namibians. He highlighted innovative projects like that of SteamBioAfrica which is working on a sustainable biomass fuel. “SteamBio’s torrefied new fuel is likely to ignite the domestic fuel energy market”, he said.

According to the Head of Marketing and Communications at Standard Bank Namibia, Magreth Mengo, biomass is a sector that contributes a lot to Namibia’s GDP and holds lots of opportunities. About Standard Bank Namibia choosing to support the Biomass Fair, she said, ”The event brings together expertise to share knowledge and research, which helps people to tap into opportunities that are still to come.”

Echoing these sentiments, Nelson Lucas noted, “Namibia, with its vast landscapes and unique biodiversity is a prime example of a region that can benefit immensely from biomass energy. By harnessing the power of organic materials, we can reduce waste, generate clean energy and promote rural development.”