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Business, Enterprise and Livelihoods
The Business, Enterprise and Livelihoods Working Group (BEL WG) is a voluntary coalition of specialists from NGOs and Government Ministries focused on supporting conservancies and communities in Namibia to develop and enhance their business enterprises. It consists of a loose alliance of smaller sub-groups, each dedicated to different sectors or opportunities such as tourism, joint ventures, hunting, and natural products. These sub-groups meet and hold workshops as needed, while the entire group convenes at the start of each year for a feedback and planning workshop.
In 2023, CBNRM activities in Namibia generated more than N$1.075 billion in net national income, a dramatic increase from the N$42 million recorded in 2009. Conservancies now cover over 166,000 km² , representing 20.2% of Namibia’s land area , and support approximately 244,587 residents . Income streams remain diverse: tourism lodges through joint venture agreements continue to be a major contributor, while trophy hunting provides significant revenue and food security, with communities receiving over 90,000 kg of game meat . Community conservation also facilitated 2,340 jobs , including 1,057 directly employed by conservancies , underscoring its role as both an economic driver and a foundation for rural livelihoods.
There remains significant potential for conservancies and communities to generate further income by establishing and growing successful businesses. However, they often lack the necessary skills and knowledge to fully realise this potential, making the role of the BEL WG and its sub-groups essential in building capacity, fostering partnerships, and ensuring inclusive economic growth.
Activities
The BEL WG is meeting this need by identifying income-generating opportunities related to tourism and business planning, providing training, establishing market linkages, and developing suitable tools, methodologies, and support materials, including:
Promoting Diversification
We help conservancies reduce risk by developing multiple income streams beyond traditional tourism, exploring agriculture, crafts, and cultural experiences for year-round revenue.
Tourism SME Guidelines
A practical manual covering operations, marketing, customer service, and sustainability for small-to-medium tourism businesses operating within community conservancies.
Enterprise Performance Monitoring Systems
Digital and paper-based tools that allow conservancies to track key metrics like revenue, expenses, visitor numbers, and conservation outcomes in real time.
How to Guidelines
Step-by-step instructional kits that break down complex business tasks into manageable actions, empowering local teams with no formal financial training.
Business Training for Conservancy Committees
Workshops and ongoing mentorship for elected community leaders on governance, financial oversight, strategic planning, and ethical business management.
JV Agreements
A comprehensive rulebook outlining fair and transparent processes for forming Joint Ventures, ensuring community benefits and investor confidence.
Financial Models for JV Agreements
Interactive Excel tools that let committees visualise different investment scenarios, forecast profits, and understand financial implications before signing.
JV Training for Conservancy Committees
Specialised capacity-building focused on negotiation skills, partnership management, conflict resolution, and monitoring JV performance.
Process for using Community Equity Funding
A clear, accountable framework for how conservancies can strategically invest their own capital into enterprises to grow community-owned assets.
Process for Developing Conservancy Business and Sustainability Plans
A guided methodology for creating 5-year integrated plans that balance income generation, job creation, and environmental stewardship.
Development of National CBNRM Enterprise Targets
Working with government and partners to establish measurable economic goals for community-based conservation across the country, tracking collective impact.
BEL Entreprises Include:
Lodges and Small Enterprises (Joint Ventures, Camping Sites, Traditional Villages, Tour Guides, Tour Operators, Cultural Groups)