Namibia is stepping up efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, bringing together conservation leaders and United States government officials at a high-level counter-wildlife trafficking roundtable held recently at the US Embassy.
Wildlife trafficking, including the illegal trade in rhino horn, elephant ivory and pangolin scales, is a transnational criminal enterprise that threatens security, undermines the rule of law, fuels corruption, weakens institutions and distorts legitimate trade and investment.
“Wildlife trafficking operates like any other organised crime enterprise: it relies on logistics networks, money laundering channels, and cross-border coordination. It must be met with seriousness and prosecutorial focus,” said US ambassador John Giordano.
“I have seen first-hand how criminal networks try to exploit gaps in enforcement and governance.”
In a statement, the US Embassy in Namibia said that since 2016, the country has contributed more than US$8.7 million to support Namibia’s counter-trafficking efforts.
These include strengthening investigative capacity, supporting the Blue Rhino Task Team, enhancing forensic tools at the Wood Identification and Screening Centre, and developing specialised environmental crime courts.
The initiatives have led to an increase in high-profile wildlife convictions and a reduction in elephant and rhino poaching.
Giordano stressed that effective counter-wildlife trafficking efforts require the rule of law, prosecutorial integrity and regional cooperation.
“Environmental crime undermines economic security,” he said. “Namibia’s conservation success story is a strategic asset, not just for biodiversity but for tourism, investment and long-term economic resilience.”
Strengthening joint fight
The roundtable focused on progress in arrests and convictions, regional coordination, investigative capacity-building and the links between wildlife trafficking and other transnational crimes, including narcotics and human trafficking.
“Where laws are enforced and criminals are prosecuted, legitimate business grows,” ambassador Giordano stressed.
“Where the rule of law is credible, both conservation and capital can thrive.”
