President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to scale up its support to Namibia.

She said the country is ready for larger and more strategic climate investments. 

Speaking during a high-level meeting with the GCF board co-chair ambassador Seyni Nafo at State House on Monday, she stressed that climate finance is not just important but essential to Namibia’s development agenda.

The President reaffirmed Namibia’s long-standing commitment to global climate action while calling for stronger collaboration with the Fund.

She said environmental protection is embedded in Namibia’s Constitution, stressing that the country has been an active participant in international climate agreements since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. 

Nandi-Ndaitwah recalled that Namibia was once a runner-up to host the GCF headquarters, demonstrating its early commitment to climate finance and global responsibility.

“The GCF is a body that is very important for Namibia,” she said.

She added that the country has consistently aligned its policies with international environmental conventions.

The President was joined by senior government officials, including the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Environment, Finance as well as representatives from the Namibia Investment Fund. 

She noted that the Investment Fund was founded during her tenure as environment minister, underscoring her role in shaping Namibia’s climate finance architecture.

In response, Ambassador Nafo praised Namibia’s leadership on climate issues and acknowledged progress made through the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF).

EIF currently manages four GCF-funded projects. 

However, he emphasised the need to scale up efforts.

“The EIF already has four projects – but frankly, they are very small – about $10 million each. It’s a good portfolio, but I think we owe it to ourselves to be more strategic. We can and we should,” Nafo said. 

He announced that the GCF will return in December with a full delegation from the Secretariat to engage in a week-long, in-depth dialogue with the Namibian government and other stakeholders. 

The goal is to ensure the Fund’s resources are aligned with Namibia’s national priorities and that future projects have greater impact.

“We want to come back in December with a full delegation to really have a very comprehensive dialogue with the government and beyond,” he stated.

– ljason@nepc.com.na