Acting CEO of NIPDB Jessica Hauuangaemphasised that the SME Fund representsdeliberate effort to move beyond transactional support
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“Speaking at the launch of the SME Fund, the acting chief executive officer of the NIPDB, Jessica Hauuanga emphasised that, "the SME Fund represents a deliberate effort to move beyond transactional support and invest in the long-term competitiveness of Namibian enterprises.”
Acting CEO Jessica Hauuangasaidinaugural AGIS 2026 expected to help position Namibia as Africa's green industrial hub
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“The acting chief executive officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), Jessica Hauuanga, said the inaugural AGIS 2026 is expected to help position Namibia as Africa's green industrial hub while attracting investment and creating opportunities for local businesses and young people.”
Jessica Hauuangasaidwith the guide in place as trusted source, investors will have necessary information to make informed decisions faster
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“"With this guide in place as a trusted source of credible information for both foreign and domestic investors, we are confident that investors will now have the necessary information to make informed decisions faster," NIPDB's Acting CEO, Jessica Hauuanga, said.”
Acting CEO of NIPDB Jessica Hauuangasaid thatTalentsBridge is a catalyst for stronger human capital and improved employability
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“Acting CEO of NIPDB Jessica Hauuanga said that for Namibia, TalentsBridge is a catalyst for stronger human capital, improved employability, and a more competitive investment environment.”
Jessica Hauuanga, Acting CEO of the NIPDBsaid thatTalentsBridge is a catalyst for stronger human capital and improved employability
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“Jessica Hauuanga, Acting CEO of the NIPDB, said that for Namibia, TalentsBridge is a catalyst for stronger human capital, improved employability and a more competitive investment environment.”
NIPDB acting chief executive Jessica Hauuangasaidthe platform strengthens Namibia's investment environment by improving access to entrepreneurial support
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“NIPDB acting chief executive Jessica Hauuanga said the platform also strengthens Namibia's investment environment by improving access to entrepreneurial support and making opportunities more visible to investors.”
The Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board has appointed Julia Muetudhana as acting chief executive effective 1 July, succeeding Jessica Hauuanga. Muetudhana, who joined the board in 2023 as an executive for talent and innovation, takes over during a transitional phase of the organisation's growth.
Why it matters
NIPDB's appointment of acting CEO signals leadership continuity in the nation's investment promotion agency.
The Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board has appointed Julia Muetudhana as acting chief executive effective 1 July, succeeding Jessica Hauuanga. Muetudhana, who joined the board in 2023 as an executive for talent and innovation, takes over during a transitional phase of the organisation's growth.
The Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board has appointed Julia Muetudhana as acting chief executive effective 1 July, replacing Jessica Hauuanga. Muetudhana, who has been with the organisation since 2023 as an executive for talent and innovation, has the board's confidence to lead during the transitional growth phase.
Namibia has introduced the SME Fund through a partnership between the National Planning Commission, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, and GIZ, to strengthen sustainability and growth of Namibian micro, small and medium enterprises. The fund provides targeted financial support to registered Namibian businesses with annual turnover up to N$10 million and at least 51% Namibian ownership.
Namibia is expected to submit its sectoral transformation investment plan under the Climate Investment Funds Industry Decarbonisation Programme by October, aiming to unlock up to US$250 million in concessional climate finance for low-carbon industrial development. The plan will identify projects and policy measures to move Namibia from planning into implementation, with 78 projects and developers already shortlisted for engagement.
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board reports that foreign direct investment has experienced strong rebound, with N$19.5 billion in net inflows in the first half of 2025. Between 2021 and 2024, cumulative net FDI reached N$114.9 billion, driven by investments across oil and gas, mining, financial services, transport and logistics, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors.
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board launched a new Namibian Investment Guide, a seven-volume document aimed at marketing Namibia as an ideal investment destination and providing information about the country's economic sectors, business registration processes, and investment climate. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade said the guide will be used by Namibia's embassies and high commissions to promote the country abroad and supports the President's vision of prioritizing investment in infrastructure, agriculture, and urban land development.
Namibia and Germany have launched TalentsBridge Namibia, a skills training programme designed to address Namibia's 36.9% unemployment rate and Germany's shortage of skilled workers. The project will offer training in industrial electrics, wholesale and retail, and hospitality, with the first 100 trainees starting vocational courses in September 2026.
TalentsBridge Namibia, a partnership between Namibia and Germany, was officially launched to address youth unemployment in Namibia and skilled worker shortages in Germany through structured vocational training. The initiative will prepare young Namibians for employment in sectors including Industrial Electrics, Wholesale and Retail, and Hospitality, with applications now open and 100 participants selected in the first year.
Namibia has launched the ScaleUp Namibia (SUN) platform to strengthen support for small and medium enterprises by coordinating fragmented innovation support structures under a single national framework. The initiative, structured around five pillars including funding, infrastructure, and capacity development, aims to help entrepreneurs scale beyond survival by making the innovation value chain more accessible and reducing barriers to growth.
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology inaugurated ScaleUp Namibia offices to centralise support for entrepreneurs by bringing innovation hubs and support organisations under one roof, aiming to improve access to mentorship, funding and reduce fragmentation in Namibia's start-up ecosystem.