Namibia Biomass Industry Group

What Namibia Biomass Industry Group does

Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG) is a non-profit membership-based industry association established in 2015 and headquartered in Windhoek, Namibia, with a staff of approximately 8 employees. The organization represents a coalition of private-sector companies, public-sector entities, and academic institutions engaged in the Namibian bush-biomass sector, where invasive bush encroachment affects more than 45 million hectares of land. N-BiG's core mission is to coordinate and develop sustainable value chains around encroacher bush — including charcoal, bush-based animal feed, biochar, activated charcoal, wood-plastic composites, and biomass energy — by providing advisory services, capacity building, market development support, applied research facilitation, and technical expertise to its members and the broader sector.

N-BiG delivers its mandate through a portfolio of programs and tools. The Advisory Services division runs workshops, trainings, site visits, and mentorship programs on sustainable bush control and biomass utilization. The organization operates a Harvesting Equipment Lease program that rents technologically advanced bush harvesting equipment to farmers and entrepreneurs. Two proprietary digital tools anchor its resource-assessment offering: the Biomass Quantification Tool, which helps farmers and resource managers estimate bush biomass for project planning, and the Bush Feed Formulation Application, which supports best-practice bush-based animal feed formulation. N-BiG also runs the Catalytic Biomass Fund, the Communal FSC Pilot Project, the Biomass Industrial Park initiative, and the EU-funded SteamBio Africa project demonstrating superheated steam torrefaction to produce coal-like solid biofuel.

The organization's revenue model is built on membership fees (undisclosed pricing), advisory service engagements, equipment leasing, and donor-funded projects supported by GIZ, BMZ/BBE, and the European Union. Strategic partnerships span NamPower (supporting the N$2.64 billion Otjikoto 40 MW Biomass Power Station through fuel-supplier capacity building), Agribank (financing sector loans), Standard Bank Namibia (Biomass Fair sponsorship), MEFT (implementing the National Strategy on Sustainable Management of Bush Resources 2022-2027), FSC and SURE (certification implementation), and international research institutions including NUST, UNAM, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, and TU Delft. The annual Standard Bank Biomass Fair (now biannual) serves as the sector's flagship convening event.

Name

Namibia Biomass Industry Group

Legal name

Namibia Biomass Industry Group

Website

https://n-big.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

N-BiG is a Namibian non-profit industry association founded in 2015 that convenes private, public, and academic stakeholders to develop sustainable bush-biomass value chains — including charcoal, animal feed, biochar, and biomass energy — through advisory services, training, certification (FSC/SURE), and project support across Namibia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomass Industry Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Forestry and Logging (113), Biomass Electric Power Generation (221117)

SIC

Forestry (800), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Land-Clearing Biomass Recovery (Right-of-Way, Site Clearing for Energy Use) (AFAMAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forest Residues & Biomass Feedstock Management (Thinning, Slash, Collection) (IMAMAJAN), Biomass Combined-Cycle & Advanced Power Plants (e.g., BIGCC) (EUAAAGAF), Biochar Carbon Projects (Biomass to Biochar & Soil Application) (EUABABAH), Timberland Carbon & Natural Capital Project Development (Offsets/REDD+) (AFAMAKAH), Biomass Thinning & Pre-Commercial Thinning for Energy Feedstock (AFAMAGAD)

Keywords

• Bush biomass advisory
• Biomass industry association
• Sustainable bush control
• Biomass value chains
• Renewable biomass energy

Headquarters

HQ city

Windhoek

HQ country

Namibia

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: N-BiG operates as a non-profit membership-based association. Members from private/public sector and academics pay membership fees to access advisory services, training, networking opportunities, and industry resources.
2. Advisory Services: Provides technical expertise, training, and mentorship programs on sustainable bush control and biomass utilisation to members and industry stakeholders.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG) is a non-profit industry association that delivers advisory services, capacity building, and digital tools to support sustainable bush-biomass utilisation in Namibia. It acts as a central industry hub providing technical expertise on bush control and biomass value chains (charcoal, animal feed, biochar, wood-plastic composites, biomass energy), supported by proprietary tools like the Biomass Quantification Tool and Bush Feed Formulation Application.

Product overview

The Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG) is a non-profit industry association offering a portfolio of advisory services, digital tools, financial mechanisms, and project initiatives rather than a single product. Its core offerings include Advisory Services for bush control guidance, the Biomass Quantification Tool (BQT) and Bush Feed Formulation Application as software tools, Harvesting Equipment Lease for equipment access, and the Catalytic Biomass Fund for financing. These are complemented by project initiatives such as Bush-to-Energy (including the NamPower Otjikoto Biomass Power Plant), SteamBio Africa, Biomass Industrial Park development, Communal FSC Pilot Project, and Capacity Development Projects. N-BiG facilitates market development for bio-based products including wood chips, animal feed, biochar, activated charcoal, and wood-plastic composites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advisory Services Technical advisory engagement service that provides expertise on sustainable bush control and biomass utilisation to farmers, biomass entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders, delivered through workshops, trainings, site visits, and mentoring.
• Harvesting Equipment Lease Rental service providing technologically advanced bush harvesting equipment for specific periods, bundled with technical service support on sustainable bush control, bush biomass value chains, and market opportunities. Targets farmers, biomass contractors, and SMEs engaged in bush clearing and biomass production.
• Biomass Quantification Tool (BQT) Digital tool that helps farmers and resource managers accurately estimate bush biomass for resource assessment, project development, and value chain planning across Namibia's encroacher bush landscape.
• Bush Feed Formulation Application Application that promotes best practice in bush-based animal feed formulation for livestock nutrition, supporting farmers in producing balanced feed from encroacher bush biomass.
• Capacity Development Programs Training and mentorship service delivering structured capacity building on sustainable bush control and biomass utilisation to farmers, biomass entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders through workshops, programs, and on-site technical training.
• Catalytic Biomass Fund Funding mechanism that supports biomass sector development and investment in bush biomass value chains, channelling capital to eligible biomass ventures across Namibia.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,300+ jobs created in harvesting and processing sectors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Georg-August-Universität GöttingencoreTechnology or Integration · 7 April 2025Research partnership for digital biomass quantification using drone and mobile LiDAR technologies. Part of BBE/BMZ-supported project for modernizing Namibia's biomass sector.
• SURE Certification (Sustainable Resources Verification Scheme)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2024N-BiG appointed as National Supporting Body for SURE Certification, making Namibia the first African country in this role. Partnership aims to promote sustainable biomass certification, expand global market access, and certify companies in the biomass value chain.
• Agribank (Agricultural Bank of Namibia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2022Agribank signed MoU with N-BiG to support biomass sector financing. N-BiG provides training to Agribank staff to better understand biomass sector and effectively evaluate loans for biomass projects.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation (BCBU) Project has been a cornerstone initiative supporting Namibia's efforts to combat bush encroachment. The project played a pivotal role in shaping strategies and approaches on bush control and enhancing capacities of farmers and entrepreneurs to create value chains.
• NamPowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerN-BiG supports NamPower's 40 MW Otjikoto Biomass Power Station through technical assistance, capacity building, and promotion of responsible biomass harvesting practices as part of the ESS-OBPS Consortium. N-BiG is responsible for supporting sustainable biomass supply chain development.
• Bundesverband Bioenergie (BBE) - German Bioenergy AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year partnership (2022-2025) to strengthen N-BiG's capacity as a leading bioeconomy organization while advancing sustainable bush biomass utilization. Supported by BMZ funding. Currently in Phase 2 of implementation.
• Charcoal Association of Namibia (CAoN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-organizers of the annual Biomass Fair event. Collaborative partnership for industry events and market development for charcoal and other bio-based products.
• Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on research symposiums, biomass studies, and technology development for Namibia's biomass sector. Joint organizer of Biomass Fair events.
• Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry providing regulatory framework and policy support. N-BiG serves as technical advisor and supports implementation of National Strategy on Sustainable Management of Bush Resources 2022-2027.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorN-BiG facilitates FSC certification for biomass producers and supports implementation of FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard for Namibia. FSC group scheme training and certification services for Otjikoto Biomass Power Station supply chain.
• Standard Bank NamibiaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of Biomass Fair events (2022-2026). Committed to sustainable energy solutions and promoting a greener future through support of Namibia's biomass industry.
• Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost location for digital biomass quantification pilot project using drone and LiDAR technologies. Partner in SteamBioAfrica project with production plant for SBA biofuel near Otjiwarongo.
• University of Namibia (UNAM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARP+ project lead finding solutions by turning invasive bushes into valuable products including animal feed, oyster mushrooms, and biochar.
• TU DelftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative workshop on utilization of encroacher bush to produce shipping biofuels as part of Clean Shipping project for developing inclusive value chains for sustainable marine biofuels.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Global certification body with which N-BiG is a group-scheme implementation partner and facilitator of FSC certification for biomass producers. While not a peer in industry-association terms, FSC is the certification standard N-BiG operationalizes in Namibia and shapes its member value proposition through 1.6M hectares of certified land.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): German development agency that has run the cornerstone Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation (BCBU) Project supporting N-BiG's capacity building. Functions as a major funder and enabler rather than a peer, but operates in the same biomass sector ecosystem and shapes N-BiG's strategic priorities.
• NamPower: Namibian state-owned power utility and N-BiG's flagship enterprise customer through the Otjikoto 40 MW Biomass Power Station. Functions as the demand anchor for N-BiG's biomass supply chain work, though as a parastatal rather than a peer association.

Broad incumbents

• World Bioenergy Association (WBA): Global bioenergy industry association headquartered in Sweden that represents the global biomass-to-energy sector across solid biomass, biogas, and liquid biofuels. Operates as a broader incumbent in the same advocacy and policy space as N-BiG, but at international scale across all biomass feedstocks rather than encroacher bush specialization.
• Bioenergy Europe: European biomass trade association representing pellet, biogas, and solid biomass industries at the EU policy level. Comparable in advocacy and member-services function to N-BiG, but with a mature policy infrastructure and much larger member base; relevant as a model for how biomass associations scale.

Direct peers

• Bundesverband Bioenergie (BBE): Germany's central bioenergy industry association and N-BiG's primary international development partner (2022-2025, BMZ-funded). Provides the model for N-BiG's sector coordination, policy advocacy, and member services. Most directly comparable industry-association structure serving a national bioeconomy.
• Charcoal Association of Namibia (CAoN): Namibian charcoal industry association that co-organizes the annual Biomass Fair with N-BiG and serves as a mutual channel partner. Operates a parallel industry association model in the same geography and overlapping member base, with the most directly comparable functions in advocacy and events.

Emerging players

• Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST): Strategic academic partner of N-BiG that jointly organizes the Biomass Fair and conducts biomass-related research and technology development. Comparable as an applied research and capacity-building node in the same biomass ecosystem, with overlapping researcher networks.
• Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF): Namibian conservation-focused organization that partners with N-BiG on biomass quantification pilots and the SteamBioAfrica project. Tackles the same bush encroachment challenge from a wildlife-conservation angle, with overlapping technical interests in drone/LiDAR biomass measurement and biofuel production near Otjiwarongo.

Regional players

• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Energy Programme: Regional intergovernmental body coordinating energy policy across southern Africa. Comparable as a regional policy and coordination layer for biomass sector development, though operating at intergovernmental scale rather than as a private-sector association like N-BiG.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NBiG
• Facebookfacebook.com/nbig
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/namibia-biomass-industry-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Namibia Biomass Industry Group