Over N$1.7 billion, mostly from multilateral and developmental funding institutions and partners has been mobilized by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF) to date, towards investing in innovation, which contributes towards achieving sustainable development in the country.
According to EIF’s CEO, Benedict Libanda, “Over the past three years, we have disbursed grants valued at more than N$ 583 million, ensuring that more than 240 256 hectares of land are under conservation and created more than 950 employment opportunities, mostly rural based.”
“As the risk against climate change and environmental sustainability continue to intensify, we need smart partnerships that are able to provide win-win results, that is delivering on shareholders expectations as well as stakeholders interest.”
This comes as the fund on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) to work together in future on Corporate Socially Responsible and Investments Program – specifically focus on environmental sustainability and nature.
MTC’s Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer Tim Ekandjo speaking at the signing ceremony, said its partnership with EIF, demonstrates the mobile operator’s commitment to doing business in a sustainable manner, while taking responsibility towards improving sustainability its sector.
“Sustainability for us means doing business in such a way that we are able to meet the needs of our customers without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. We are therefore cognizant of three key pillars namely the Economy, Society and the Environment. We are therefore excited about our partnership with the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia because when you want to make a real impact on the environment you cannot do it alone, and that is why partnerships are important, especially with a partner whose core existence was borne on the premise of ensuring sustainable use of our natural resources,” Ekandjo said
The EIF is a fund created by an Act of Parliament with the overall aim of supporting individuals, projects and communities that ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.