Standard Bank Namibia has identified the country’s biomass industry as a key driver of rural economic growth, job creation and export development ahead of this week’s 2026 Standard Bank Biomass Fair in Otjiwarongo.
The bank, in partnership with the Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG), will host the fair from 6 to 8 August under the theme “Powering Namibia’s Bioeconomy.”
Standard Bank Namibia Chief Executive Erwin Tjipuka said the biomass sector demonstrates how environmental challenges can be transformed into sustainable economic opportunities.
“The biomass sector demonstrates what is possible when innovation, partnership and sustainable enterprise come together to solve real economic challenges. By unlocking value from bush encroachment, Namibia has an opportunity to restore productive agricultural land, create jobs, support SMEs, strengthen export competitiveness and build a more resilient rural economy,” he said.
The event will bring together investors, policymakers, producers, researchers, equipment suppliers, financiers and entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities across the biomass value chain.
Namibia Biomass Industry Group Chief Executive Officer Progress Kashandula said the sector is already making a significant contribution to Namibia’s socio-economic development.
“The bush biomass sector already contributes extensively to socio-economic development in Namibia and has the potential to shape an inclusive bioeconomy,” he said.
Organisers said the fair will feature exhibitions, live equipment demonstrations, networking sessions and discussions on technologies that support biomass processing, renewable energy production and value-added manufacturing.
The event also aims to showcase how sustainable biomass utilisation can address Namibia’s widespread bush encroachment while creating new business opportunities, restoring grazing land and improving energy security.
The organisers said the fair has established itself as Namibia’s leading platform for collaboration and investment in the biomass industry as the country seeks to accelerate economic diversification through the development of its bioeconomy.
