Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
April 2026
The Namibian
Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida)is fighting to retain control ofits billion-dollar property portfolio after government instructed transfer
Source
“The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) is fighting to retain control of its billion-dollar property portfolio after the government instructed the parastatal to transfer 154 of its assets, including farms and complexes worth about N$3 billion.”
Namibia Industrial Development Agencysays significant progress has been made in revivingthe Manyeha Crocodile Farm in Kongola
Source
“The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) says significant progress has been made in reviving the Manyeha Crocodile Farm in Kongola, with renovation works well underway and a phased operational relaunch planned.”
Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA)hostedinvestment conference in Windhoek
Source
“Speaking at the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) investment conference in Windhoek on Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Ruth Masake stated that industrialisation must be accompanied by sustainability to ensure the project's success.”
Namibia Industrial Development Agencysays it is unable to settleN$3.9 million water and electricity debt owed to Keetmanshoop municipality
Source
“The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) says it is unable to settle its N$3.9 million water and electricity debt owed to the Keetmanshoop municipality, citing tenants failing to pay their rent.”
Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida)has teamed up withGhanaian businessman to clinch N$4-billion oil terminal project
Source
“The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) has teamed up with a Ghanaian businessman to clinch a N$4-billion oil terminal project that was linked to a Swapo company.”
“NIDA has an industrialisation mandate to manage 148 properties nationwide, with key projects in Kavango, such as the cattle ranch, which generates N$15 million in sales, and the Naute Irrigation Farm, valued at N$233 million.”
The Government Institutions Pension Fund paid its board of trustees chairperson Penda Ithindi N$114,000 for attending three meetings in two months, and Napwu general secretary Petrus Nevonga N$92,163 during the same period, according to payroll records reviewed by The Namibian. The payments have revived concerns that clustered board and sub-committee meetings have become a parallel income stream for trustees already drawing civil service or union salaries.
Why it matters
GIPF board sitting fees reveal how state officials are building parallel income streams at public expense.
The Government Institutions Pension Fund paid its board of trustees chairperson Penda Ithindi N$114,000 for attending three meetings in two months, and Napwu general secretary Petrus Nevonga N$92,163 during the same period, according to payroll records reviewed by The Namibian. The payments have revived concerns that clustered board and sub-committee meetings have become a parallel income stream for trustees already drawing civil service or union salaries.
The Namibia Industrial Development Agency is fighting a government directive to transfer 154 properties worth about N$3 billion to a new Public Asset Management Agency, warning that the assets are central to its funding and operations. The transfer, allegedly mandated by Cabinet as part of state asset restructuring, has raised fears about job losses and the agency's existence.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah met with Namibia Atlantic Salmon Holdings to review plans for Africa's first large-scale salmon farming industry along Namibia's coast, emphasising the need for job creation, local ownership, and sustainable practices. The project would produce up to 51,000 tonnes of salmon under its initial licence, with the Namibia Industrial Development Agency aiming to structure local ownership at 60%.
The Construction Industries Federation warns that direct appointment of state-owned enterprises for public contracts—such as the N$140 million sports facilities project awarded to the Roads Construction Company—systematically excludes small and medium enterprises and emerging contractors from public work. The editorial argues that tender exemptions create pathways for corruption and cronyism, citing examples including the cancelled Lüderitz Bay port tender, and contends that this pattern of bypassing competitive processes suffocates legitimate private sector participation.
The Namibia Industrial Development Agency says significant progress has been made reviving the Manyeha Crocodile Farm in Kongola, with land clearing and roofing completed and renovations underway. The farm is expected to relaunch as a lodge by end of 2026, followed by agricultural crocodile breeding operations in 2027, though traditional governance complexities have created some coordination challenges.
Panduleni Itula, leader of the Independent Patriots for Change, presented evidence he says shows the president's family members hold interests across the oil and gas sector—including the president's son operating a diesel distribution business at Lüderitz port and the first gentleman serving as patron of a petroleum industry forum—and called on Parliament to reject a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer licensing authority to the Presidency.
Namibia is set to pioneer Africa's first salmon farming industry with a N$41 million aquaculture farm at Lüderitz, backed by Norwegian company African Aquaculture Company. The project aims to produce 1,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon annually in its first phase, scaling to 51,000 tonnes, while creating over 5,000 jobs and positioning Namibia as a leader in sustainable blue economy development.
The Namibia Industrial Development Agency says it cannot pay its N$3.9 million water and electricity debt to Keetmanshoop municipality because tenants have failed to pay rent, creating cash flow problems. The municipality offered Nida a 100% interest waiver if it settled N$3.1 million in capital debt over three months, but Nida declined, citing inability to pay N$1 million monthly and is now requesting treasury assistance through its line ministry.
The Namibia Industrial Development Agency is partnering with Ghanaian businessman Jory Adu-Boahene to develop a N$4-billion oil and gas supply base in Lüderitz Bay, with Nida claiming a 51% stake. The project, which involves Swapo-linked businessman Josef Andreas, has resurfaced after a previous tender process was cancelled amid disagreements over governance and structure.
Parliament's Standing Committee on Natural Resources has flagged that the Namibia Industrial Development Agency requires over N$500 million in funding to sustain its 148 nationwide properties, with an additional N$550 million capital injection needed for its strategic business plan and N$29.7 million to clear utility arrears. The agency faces operational challenges including electricity and water disconnections across 69 and 89 parks respectively, delayed policy implementation on diamonds and special economic zones, and mounting utility costs.
Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has recommended stronger policies, funding, and inter-ministerial collaboration to unlock the country's resource potential and align sector strategies with national development priorities including Vision 2030. The mining sector contributed 13.3% to GDP in 2024, while the government received N$7.32 billion in mining revenue, but challenges persist in land reform, energy, and conservation funding.
The Namibia Industrial Development Agency needs at least N$550 million to implement its integrated strategic business plan and N$29.7 million to clear outstanding utility arrears, according to a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources report. Nida faces operational challenges including an N$102 million operating loss in 2024, electricity disconnection at 69 industrial parks, and water debt at 89 properties.