Mafwe Authority allocates land for Zambezi science park

The Mafwe Traditional Authority has allocated land in the Liselo area of the Zambezi region for the establishment of a National Science, Technology and Innovation Park. The project is led by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) as part of a government initiative to promote research aligned with national priorities.

NCRST Chief Executive Officer Anicia Peters announced that the commission will inject an additional N$2.5 million this financial year to upscale existing research projects, with a specific focus on food security. The initiative aims to transition research from academic papers into tangible products and technologies. Since 2014, the NCRST has provided N$3.2 million in research grants within the Zambezi region.

The proposed park is designed to function as a community-facing hub. Its core objectives include science education, teacher support, and applied agricultural research tailored to flood-recession and rain-fed farming. Additionally, the facility will provide innovators with access to laboratories, workshops, and testing capabilities to bridge the gap between local ideas and marketable products.