… In her remarks, Witbooi described the initiative as a strategic catalyst within the green hydrogen sector, emphasising that it aligns with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and broader economic objectives. …
… She said the event aligns with government priorities under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which focuses on economic growth, inclusiveness, and resilience. …
… The President linked the proposal to Namibia’s broader economic plans under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which focuses on industrialisation, job creation and economic diversification. …
… Meanwhile, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the programme is part of the sixth National Development Plan, which focuses on economic growth and skills development. …
… Discussions further emphasised the alignment of sport development initiatives with Namibia’s national priorities, particularly under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), where sport is recognised as a driver of socio-economic development, youth empowerment and nation-build …
… Both parties said the initiative aligns with Namibia’s Vision 2030, the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, which prioritise digital infrastructure as a driver of economic transformation and industrialisation. …
… He emphasised that these sectors are closely aligned with Namibia’s development priorities under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and are essential for driving economic transformation, value addition and job creation. …
… She said Namibia can count on the EU’s support in fostering economic growth, inclusiveness and resilience for sustainable development, as outlined in the sixth National Development Plan. …
… ued progress in expanding rural and underserved connectivity under Phase 2 of the Universal Service Fund (USF), with N$42.1 million allocated to Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) and Telecom Namibia to roll out infrastructure aligned with the Sixth National Development Plan …
… odestus Amutse, explained that the workshop initiative directly aligns with the Government of the Republic of Namibia’s strategy to increase the contribution of the MSME sector to the national economy from 16% to steady growth, as set out under the Sixth National Development Plan …
Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has raised concern over silo management within government institutions, saying lack of alignment among ministries, agencies, local authorities and SOEs is slowing implementation of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and hindering efforts to address priorities such as water accessibility and food security.
Why it matters
PM's warning about coordination failures hampering NDP6 implementation signals dysfunction in government's ability to deliver on core development priorities like water and food security.
Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has raised concern over silo management within government institutions, saying lack of alignment among ministries, agencies, local authorities and SOEs is slowing implementation of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and hindering efforts to address priorities such as water accessibility and food security.
The article compares Singapore's transformation from a poor, resource-scarce nation in 1965 to one of the world's wealthiest economies today, suggesting Namibia can learn from Singapore's approach to governance and development despite different challenges.
A housing research seminar at the Bank of Namibia found that 70% of Namibians are priced out of formal housing. According to the article, this is not a market failure but a structural outcome of colonial land policies, bank financialisation, low wages, and treating housing as a commodity rather than a social right.
Chamber of Mines chief executive Fabian Shaanika says Namibia's mining industry cannot operate in isolation and must be integrated with agriculture, energy and water planning, citing a "mining-energy-agriculture nexus" and the need to balance competing demands for land, water, energy and infrastructure.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the 2026 Omaludi Agricultural Festival that Namibia must pursue development without abandoning its cultural identity, noting that festivals promote agriculture, tourism and local economic growth while preserving traditions. She urged farmers in northern communal areas to transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture through improved infrastructure, financing and market access.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare told councillors and officials that poor coordination between ministries, agencies, regional councils and local authorities is slowing implementation of projects under the sixth National Development Plan. He called for better communication and cooperation among government institutions, and cited the procurement system as another major challenge delaying project execution.
The FAO says Namibia produces about 371,800 metric tonnes of mahangu annually, meeting only 52% of national demand, while the rest is imported. The country has launched the One Country One Priority Product initiative to improve mahangu production and strengthen its value chain, given that mahangu is the primary cereal for more than 60% of Namibians.
Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel has launched the Namibia Luxury Travel Market Expo, scheduled for November or December, to position the country's tourism sector as a premium niche. The minister emphasized tourism's role in generating foreign exchange, employment, and socio-economic transformation as part of Namibia's Vision 2030 and sixth National Development Plan.
Twamanguluka youth organisation and the ministry of youth have launched a national Youth Centre Revitalisation Project to transform youth centres into integrated hubs offering education, healthcare, enterprise development, sports, technology and employment pathways. Pilot programmes will begin in Katima Mulilo, Rundu and Gobabis.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi commended Namibia's inclusive education efforts at a graduation ceremony where 696 learners with special educational needs and disabilities received Certificates in Basic Pre-Vocational Skills, the programme's second cohort since its 2019 introduction. The NQA-accredited programme prepares graduates for vocational training, entrepreneurship, employment, and further education opportunities.
Prime minister Elijah Ngurare publicly supports president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah serving a second term, arguing that previous elected presidents served more than one term and that premature succession debates distract from government service delivery. Swapo's elective congress to choose a presidential candidate for the 2029 elections is expected next year.
The Ministry of Agriculture's Acting Executive Director announced plans to upgrade agricultural centres nationwide into fully operational agricultural training centres by 2027, with preparatory measures underway including staff recruitment, instructor training, and material development. The Tsumis Arid Zone Agricultural Centre, which operates a poultry project with more than 1,000 dual-purpose chickens, is participating in Phase II of the China-FAO-Namibia South-South Cooperation Project and is expected to strengthen farmers' skills through training and mentorship.
Namibia and China are reviewing progress under a joint agricultural cooperation programme at the Tsumis Arid Zone Agricultural Centre in Hardap, which has conducted five training sessions reaching 121 farmers and staff members—exceeding its initial plan of four sessions for about 80 participants. The China-FAO-Namibia South-South Cooperation Project, now in its second phase through the end of this year, covers poultry farming, seed production, plant protection, aquaculture, and soil fertility management.
The National Housing Enterprise plans to construct 905 houses across Namibia during the 2025/2026 financial year as part of efforts to reduce the country's housing backlog. Since its establishment in 1993, NHE has constructed more than 21 545 housing units nationwide.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi announced that Namibia will end the export of raw marine products by 2030, aiming instead to process, package and brand marine products locally. Under the sixth National Development Plan, the government wants 60% of marine products to undergo secondary and tertiary processing inside the country by 2030, supported by investments in infrastructure and skills development including a proposed Franco-Namibian Marine Institute.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi arrived in Nairobi to lead Namibia's delegation to the Africa Forward Summit, where African leaders and investors will discuss investment, innovation, and economic cooperation. Namibia is focusing on securing partnerships that support industrialisation and value addition rather than dependence on raw material exports.
Foreign direct investment into Namibia reached N$151 billion between 2021 and 2024, more than triple the N$50 billion recorded from 2009 to 2020, but much investment has gone into capital-intensive exploration. Legal experts say the challenge now is to convert foreign investment into tangible improvements like job creation, with the Sixth National Development Plan positioning oil and gas and mining as strategic drivers of economic transformation focused on value addition and beneficiation rather than raw resource exports.
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.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi will represent Namibia at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi from 11 to 12 May 2026, a high-level meeting co-convened by Kenya and France where African leaders and international partners will discuss innovation, infrastructure, climate resilience and economic growth.
The City of Windhoek and government approved a debt swap converting N$357.8 million of the city's historical debt into 423 hectares of land, unlocking more than 6000 residential erven in the Khomas region. Phase one will release about 4856 housing erven in Havana and Groot Aub, alongside land for national projects including offices for the Namibia Revenue Agency and a high-performance sports centre.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi visited the Hyphen green hydrogen project in Lüderitz to reaffirm government support for the initiative and highlight its role in economic transformation, job creation, and sustainable development. The project is structured as a public-private partnership with government holding a 24% stake under a concession agreement signed in June 2023.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi opened the 19th Annual Lüderitz Crayfish Festival on Friday, calling for inclusive economic growth and sustainable resource management. She highlighted Lüderitz's emerging role as a strategic growth hub in Namibia's blue economy and energy sector.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on government institutions and the private sector to convert existing training budgets into structured internship and apprenticeship opportunities for graduates, warning that Namibia's growing number of graduates must not end up without work experience. She made the remarks at Unam's graduation ceremony, where hundreds of students received certificates, diplomas and degrees.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has directed all government offices, ministries and agencies to allocate funds for structured internship and apprenticeship programmes to address graduate unemployment, and called on the private sector to support the initiative.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah received a delegation from the Namibia National Olympic Committee and Namibia Commonwealth Games Association at State House, where she was presented with the Trophy for Distinguished African Leaders in Sport, awarded by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa. The delegation said the award recognises Namibia's commitment to advancing sport and its growing role in the Olympic movement.
Telecom Namibia and Angola Telecom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Commercial Terms Agreement to strengthen regional digital connectivity, enabling Angola Telecom to access international bandwidth via Namibia's Equiano Subsea Cable landing station in Swakopmund. The agreement aims to enhance cross-border connectivity, improve network resilience, and support development of a more integrated digital economy along Southern Africa's west coast.
The Second Namibia–European Union Business Forum will take place in Windhoek from 11 to 13 May 2026, bringing together approximately 400 high-level participants to discuss trade and investment opportunities. The forum will focus on five priority sectors—green hydrogen and renewable energy, critical raw materials, agribusiness, cultural and creative industries, and the automotive industry—and will feature presentations of 30 bankable Namibian projects to prospective investors.
The Namibia-European Union Business Forum, scheduled for 12–13 May in Windhoek, aims to secure N$390 billion in investment for green energy, logistics hubs, and sustainable economic diversification. The event will focus on green hydrogen, renewable energy, critical raw materials, agribusiness, cultural and creative industries, and the automotive sector, with Walvis Bay and Lüderitz positioned as key logistics hubs.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia has allocated N$42.1 million under Phase 2 of the Universal Service Fund to MTC and Telecom Namibia to expand mobile and internet infrastructure into rural and underserved regions, including nine strategic RAN tower locations across five regions and connectivity to 15 public institutions. The project, 39% complete as of March 2026, supports Namibia's national development target of increasing internet penetration from 53% to 90% by 2030.
Petrofund, Namibia's Petroleum Training and Education Fund, has commenced a two-day workshop to help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises understand opportunities and global standards required by International Oil Companies in the oil and gas sector. Minister Modestus Amutse emphasised that the initiative aligns with the government's strategy to increase MSME contribution to the national economy from 16% and noted that local capacity development is critical as Namibia approaches its first Final Investment Decision.