Community enterprises for fair partnerships in non-timber forest product value chains? The case of San communities in northern Namibia

• San NTFP harvesters in Bwabwata and Okongo struggle with value capture and bargaining power in trade. • San harvesters in Okongo lack organisational support for effective market entry. • Direct partnerships with lead firms could boost San harvester income but required legal and organisational structures may clash with traditions. • Culturally sensitive support can enhance the success of NTFP commercialisation. This paper investigates why the harvesting of non-timber forest product (NTFP) by the indigenous San people for regional and global markets has not succeeded in breaking persistent cycles of marginalisation within their community. In addition, it assesses the necessary prerequisites for successful NTFP value addition for San while identifying factors that hinder their ability to establish community enterprises, such as cooperatives, that could facilitate revenue development. To conduct this research, we employed an exploratory qualitative case study approach, combining empirical data with secondary sources. The findings indicate that San communities in Bwabwata National Park, through the Kyaramacan Association, collaborate with the government, tourism operators, and a NTFP exporter to generate income for the San communities but faces challenges related to value addition and bargaining power. In contrast, in Okongo, San harvesters lack organised structures and infrastructure, experience exploitation by local traders, and encounter difficulties in commercialising NTFPs beyond the constituency. The paper recommends collaboration among government, NGOs, and lead firms to enhance NTFP value for San communities through capacity building and direct market access, while addressing inequities for sustainable outcomes.