Exploring and conserving plant diversity in Namibia's Kunene region through botanical collections

9 February 2026

Established in 1953, the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), a division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform, is dedicated to understanding Namibia's plant diversity and promoting its conservation and sustainable use.

Over the years, the NBRI has broadened its functions and expanded outreach to diverse regions and sectors in pursuit of its mission. Its specialised units, including the Vegetation Ecology Unit, Gene Bank, Plant Product Development, Botanical Library, Namibian Tree Atlas, Botanical Garden, and the recently established Economic Development Section, work collectively toward a shared goal. From inventory to taxonomy and from protected areas to plant use, NBRI's work spans the entire world of Namibian plants.

Running an institute of this scope demands great commitment and passion, especially with limited funding, which continues to challenge its objectives. NBRI's efforts were strengthened in recent years through support from the Go Green Fund, made possible by Nedbank Namibia and the Namibia Nature Foundation, which awarded a N$100 000 grant to advance its expedition proposal. This support reflects a shared commitment to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of Namibia's rich plant life for the benefit of all.

Project Lead at NBRI, Leevi Nanyeni, explains: 'Herbarium collections are like time capsules. They preserve the story of our flora for future generations, and in Kunene, that story was missing entire chapters.'

Guided by this conviction, Nanyeni and his team of botanists set out across Namibia's northwestern wilderness, armed with plant presses, pruning shears, GPS devices, and a mission to uncover the unseen flora of the Kunene region, and strengthen Namibia's botanical record.

The groundbreaking expedition was made possible through the Nedbank Go Green Fund, which has consistently supported institutions like NBRI that promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of Namibian flora.

Under the fund's call, Nanyeni and co-researchers, Dr Fransiska Kangombe and Kahimbi Sikute, embarked on a national effort to fill long-standing gaps in Namibia's herbarium collections and rediscover species that had either never been documented locally or had vanished from scientific records.

Despite Namibia's status as the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa, it boasts more than 4 500 plant taxa, 18% of which are endemic. Yet the Kunene region, home to the great Kaokoveld, one of southern Africa's biodiversity hotspots, remains underrepresented in the National Herbarium of Namibia (WIND). Until recently, one of its key mapping grids contained only 10 recorded specimens, highlighting the urgent need for discovery.

Nedbank Namibia Chief Financial Officer and chairperson of its Social Investment Committee, Victor Maengahama, spoke on the importance of sustainable development and how the Nedbank Go Green Fund is championing said development: ‘At Nedbank Namibia, we believe that true progress is rooted in sustainability. Through the Nedbank Go Green Fund, we have consistently invested in initiatives that protect Namibia’s unique biodiversity while creating opportunities for communities to thrive. Our support of the National Botanical Research Institute reflects this commitment. Since its establishment, the NBRI has played a pivotal role in understanding and conserving Namibia’s plant life, ensuring that this invaluable resource is used responsibly for generations to come.’

Maengahama added: ‘By enabling projects that span from vegetation ecology and gene banking to economic development and community outreach, we are fostering interventions that not only safeguard our environment but also empower local communities to participate in sustainable growth. Together, we are building a future where conservation and development go hand in hand.’

Over 2 expeditions between July 2022 and May 2023, the team collected 228 herbarium specimens – a significant contribution to Namibia's botanical record. Each plant was carefully pressed, labelled, photographed, and geo-referenced for scientific study and future seed collection. The group also collaborated with international experts from the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew (United Kingdom), and the University of Cape Town, who helped verify and identify some of the more unusual finds.

Several collected species are under review as potential new species or rare occurrences, with DNA analysis underway to confirm their classification.

Beyond expanding herbarium data, the project also aimed to rekindle interest in botany among Namibian youth. The team documented their work through field videos for classroom use and awareness campaigns, showcasing how to collect, press, and preserve specimens using standard scientific techniques.

As the collected specimens find their permanent home in WIND, the project stands as a vivid example of how strategic funding and local expertise can yield a lasting scientific impact.

This initiative directly advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Life on Land, which calls for the protection, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, halting biodiversity loss, and safeguarding natural heritage. By supporting the National Botanical Research Institute’s botanical collections in the Kunene region, Nedbank Namibia is actively contributing to the preservation of Namibia’s unique and endemic plant species while strengthening the scientific knowledge needed for long-term conservation planning. This approach reflects Nedbank Namibia’s broader commitment to aligning its corporate social investment initiatives with global sustainability frameworks while delivering tangible environmental and societal impact at a local level.