Bioelectricity and Savannah Restoration in Namibia (OBPS)

In Namibia, bush encroachment affects over 60 million hectares, threatening savannah ecosystems and undermining traditional livelihoods such as hunting and pastoralism. This phenomenon accelerates soil degradation—an urgent challenge in a country where over 50% of the population lives in rural areas, and 71% depend on subsistence farming and pastoralism. To address this, the Namibian government is advancing sustainable natural resource management. This project leverages an innovative solution: valorizing biomass from bush thinning to restore degraded lands, conserve biodiversity, and strengthen local development.

The project is structured around five key components to ensure responsible bush exploitation while maximizing social and environmental benefits:

• Develop and implement environmental and social management systems to ensure ecosystem and community-friendly harvesting practices.
• Collect, analyze, and capitalize on biodiversity and socio-environmental impact data to inform best practices.
• Train and raise awareness among harvesters and landowners on sustainable bush thinning and post-harvest management techniques (aftercare).
• Develop a sustainable community-based harvesting model that guarantees fair benefit sharing with local populations.
• Strengthen institutional frameworks and engage stakeholders to promote the long-term adoption of best practices in bush thinning and post-harvest management.

This integrated approach supports sustainable bush management for biodiversity conservation, community resilience, and energy transition.

To combat bush encroachment in Namibia, FFEM supports the establishment of a 40 MW biomass power plant developed by NamPower. Fueled by wood chips derived from bush thinning, this initiative combines energy transition, ecosystem preservation, and local economic development.
Key expected outcomes include:

• Restoration of savannah ecosystems by rehabilitating bush-invaded lands.
• Develop of a sustainable, FSC-certified biomass supply chain generating decent jobs and income for local communities.
• Strengthening Namibia’s energy independence by reducing reliance on imported fossil-based electricity.
  Environmental protection through enhanced biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and improved drought resilience.

The innovative project demonstrates that sustainable bush management can be a win-win solution for the economy, environment, and local populations

For FFEM, engaging in a bioelectricity project with the co-objective of restoring degraded lands is truly unique. The OBPS project is innovative as a pilot initiative for savannah and pasture rehabilitation through the energetic valorization of invasive bush. It will serve as a knowledge laboratory thanks to data collection activities and the emphasis on participatory methodologies with target communities.

The project’s innovation also lies in developing a fair biomass supply chain involving various suppliers, including SMEs seeking growth opportunities. It stands out for its socially inclusive approach by proposing a community-based supply management model adaptable to resettlement farms and communal lands.