04/21/2023

“Skytrip” to Namibian nature

Namibia's landscapes and species are impressive. Sustainable use can also benefit local communities.

The IKI supported the creation of digital ventures that increase the value of biodiversity in Namibia. 

The lab of tomorrow-16th process in Namibia is fostering innovation and sustainability, with its ventures showcasing their biodiversity-based business models at ITB 2023 (Internationale Tourismusbörse - International Tourism Fair) in Berlin. Among these ventures was the start-up Spherie, which presented its latest product 'Skytrip'. This immersive experience uses drones and virtual reality to bring the Namibian nature closer to zoo visitors.

The IKI project “Developing the Biodiversity Economy in selected Landscapes in Namibia” supported the creation of digital ventures like Spherie that increase the value of biodiversity in Namibia and channel benefits to the local communities guarding their wildlife and biodiversity. The support includes ideation sprints, extended incubation programs, and market entry facilitation in partnership with the GIZ lab of tomorrow team in Germany.

Skytrip to Namibia: presentation at ITB in Berlin

The Namibian lab of tommorow

The current lab of tomorrow process demonstrates the potential for technology to drive innovation and biodiversity-based, sustainable economic growth in Namibia. The success of ventures like 'Skytrip' highlights the value of incorporating biodiversity into business models, and the IKI project's support is helping to make this a reality. By fostering entrepreneurship and promoting sustainability, the lab of tomorrow is contributing to a brighter future for Namibia and the world.

Background of the IKI project

The project builds on Namibia’s success story in nature conservation. The protected areas of the country encompass more than 40% of the land area, but these areas are fragmented and there is a lack of coordination between funding and the different types of protected areas. The project transforms the protected areas into a system of well-coordinated landscapes and gives them a conservation value through sustainable economic use. The focus is on sectors that are directly dependent on the conservation of biodiversity, such as tourism. At the national level, the project supports the institutionalisation of the biodiversity economy approach, enabling broad-based implementation and its financing.

The link has been copied to the clipboard