Namibia’s efforts to access international climate finance are significantly constrained by procedural complexity, institutional capacity gaps, and limited technical support from the GreenClimate Fund (GCF), a new report shows.
According to a newly published assessment by the GCF’s Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU), despite being among the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, Namibia’s engagement with the GCF has yielded only modest returns.
This is largely attributed to the nation remaining reliant on a single direct access entity, the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia, which, due to accreditation limitations and resource constraints, can only channel relatively small-scale grants.
“Namibia’s ability to access and use climate finance is severely constrained by a lack of accredited direct access entities and limited human resources capable of preparing technically sound proposals. The GCF’s complex procedures and passive engagement have further compounded these limitations,” the report states.
Furthermore, the report underscores that relying on a single institution restricts the country’s funding scope and weakens national ownership.
“Capacity constraints within the EIF and other stakeholders have hampered pipeline development and proposal readiness,” it states.
Additionally, the report highlights procedural hurdles imposed by the GCF itself, such as complex application processes, long approval timelines, and inconsistent guidance from the Fund’s Secretariat.
“The bureaucratic procedures of the GCF were frequently cited as a major deterrent to access. Stakeholders interviewed for the assessment expressed frustration at the disconnect between the Fund’s ambitious goals and its cumbersome delivery modalities,” the report said.
Despite these obstacles, Namibia has demonstrated a strong commitment to climate action as the EIF has successfully mobilised over US$40 million in GCF funding to date, supporting projects in sustainable agriculture and community-based adaptation.
However, this is far short of the estimated US$17 billion the country requires to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Recommendations include expanding the pool of accredited entities, enhancing institutional capacity through targeted technical assistance, and fostering greater engagement between national stakeholders and the GCF.
The report also calls on the GCF to streamline its procedures and provide more tailored support to countries with limited capacities.
This comes as Namibia is in the process of reviewing four major climate funding concept notes worth N$10.5 billion, ahead of a planned submission to the GCF.
According to Petrus Muteyauli, Deputy Director for Multilateral Environmental Agreements in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the funding proposals have been developed by key institutions seeking accreditation as direct access entities to the GCF.
These include the Development Bank of Namibia, Agribank, Bank Windhoek, and the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), with the ministry accredited as a delivery partner.
