One of Africa’s youngest countries, Namibia has demonstrated a commitment to conservation from its foundation. After attaining its independence in 1990, from South Africa’s then-apartheid government, the new country embedded a focus on natural resources, healthy ecosystems, and biodiversity for the benefit of both people and wildlife directly into its constitution.

Monitoring relocated cheetahs

Over the past 30 years, the Namibian government has reaffirmed this commitment, supporting a well-managed network of 13 national parks, one of the world’s most successful community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) programmes, and some internationally recognised private nature reserves. Today, more than 44% of Namibia is under conservation management.