Nedbank Injects N$150,000 into Environmental Education Programme

Nedbank Namibia has committed N$150,000 to environmental education and resource conservation training, in a move aimed at strengthening Namibia’s capacity to manage scarce natural resources amid growing climate pressures.

The funding, channelled through the bank’s Go Green Fund and facilitated by the Namibia Nature Foundation, will support the Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust (NaDEET) Educator Programme, according to a company press release.

In a statement issued on Monday, Nedbank noted the four-day residential programme equips educators, community fieldworkers and conservation practitioners with practical skills in water conservation, renewable energy, waste management and biodiversity protection.

The training comes as water scarcity and climate change pose risks to resource-dependent sectors, including agriculture and tourism, increasing the importance of efficient resource management for businesses and communities.

NaDEET environmental educator Festus Awene said the programme incorporates practical exercises that allow participants to assess their consumption of natural resources.

“A unique feature of the programme is its environmental auditing component, where participants monitor their use of water, energy and waste throughout their stay,” Awene said.

Nedbank Namibia chief financial officer Victor Maengahama said the funding is intended to strengthen environmental awareness and encourage lasting behavioural change.

“By investing in environmental education through the Go Green Fund, we are helping to develop informed leaders and community champions who can drive lasting behavioural change,” Maengahama said.

Established in 2003, NaDEET operates environmental education centres at the NamibRand Nature Reserve and in Swakopmund.

The investment highlights the role private-sector funding can play in developing environmental awareness and practical conservation skills. However, the programme’s broader economic impact will depend on whether participants apply the training in their communities and workplaces, including through measurable improvements in resource efficiency and reduced operating costs.