This paper analyses the distribution of social-economic benefits using an African perspective. The case study looks at Namibia illustrating how a national constitution supports nature protection plus providing a pro-poor framework which lifts rural communities out of poverty through policies on sharing benefits. Namibia developed the concept of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), allowing the formation of conservancies, which are legal entities run by communities to conserve their natural environment. Rural communities are empowered by taking ownership of communal land and managing its wildlife and natural resources. The conservancies acquire rights over natural assets and manage these resources sustainably while generating income through community enterprises. This approach has decreased poverty in rural communities and improved their livelihoods. As a case study, the Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy is used to demonstrate the distribution of social benefits being backed up by a national pro-environment policy framework. Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy is an example of a conservancy that grew to a financially independent unit which has now joint venture agreements with private companies in the tourism sector. The conservancy which mainly benefits from tourism activities is using benefit distribution plans to ensure that every local member of the communal areas benefits from their income generating activities. Throughout the years, income of the conservancy has increased, employment and other livelihood opportunities have been created. Besides direct cash benefits distributed to the community, the conservancy manages a supporting scheme for elders and offers bursaries to students. Namibia is an exceptional example of how a national constitution provides a legal environment together with a strong civil society of conservationists to eliminate poverty in rural Africa, and the number of conservancies is growing - from 4 conservancies in 1998 to 66 in 2011. The paper highlights the inclusiveness of mitigating ecological problems and decreasing poverty on a national scale.
