Namibia brings its ‘business unusual’ motto to the world stage
Namibian Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called on world leaders to take decisive, ethical and coordinated action to eliminate poverty, bridge the digital divide and accelerate progress towards global social development goals.
He also warned that “the world has not progressed sufficiently” since the first social development summit was hosted three decades ago.
Speaking at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, which took place from 4 to 6 November, the PM, delivering remarks on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said the global community must recommit to eradicating poverty and inequality through “business unusual” approaches that are people-centred and corruption-free.
“In Namibia, when it comes to matters of social justice, eradication of poverty and service delivery, the clarion call from Her Excellency, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is that ‘we are too few to be poor’,” he said.
Global commitment
Referencing the 2025 World Social Report, Ngurare said the past 30 years have fallen short of the ambitions set out in Copenhagen in 1995, particularly in achieving decent work, reducing inequality and fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He described the Doha summit as “a crucial opportunity to recommit, re-strategise and reposition ourselves” to tackle social challenges through cohesive policymaking, robust institutions and unity within communities.
Outlining Namibia’s recent domestic measures, the premier highlighted the launch of the National Youth Development Fund, which allocates N$500 million annually, with N$257 million already disbursed to support young entrepreneurs with loans that require no collateral.
He added that in a historic moment, government will fund registration and tuition for all tertiary students next year, ensuring equitable access to higher education.
“Since independence, Namibia has made education and health a priority above all priorities,” he said. “They continue to receive the largest budget allocations, including in the 2025/2026 financial year," he added.
Digital transformation
Ngurare further emphasised the urgency of addressing the global digital divide, describing it as a new form of inequality driven by unaffordable internet access and weak digital infrastructure.
“Let this era of human development not create valleys of prosperity for some and mountains of poverty for others,” he urged. “Digitisation must be undertaken within ethical considerations through governance frameworks that ensure it does not overshadow human judgement.”
To this end, Namibia has launched its National Digital Strategy (2025-2029) to prepare its workforce through digital reskilling and upskilling programmes in anticipation of the future job market, he noted.
He also warned that “the world has not progressed sufficiently” since the first social development summit was hosted three decades ago.
Speaking at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, which took place from 4 to 6 November, the PM, delivering remarks on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said the global community must recommit to eradicating poverty and inequality through “business unusual” approaches that are people-centred and corruption-free.
“In Namibia, when it comes to matters of social justice, eradication of poverty and service delivery, the clarion call from Her Excellency, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is that ‘we are too few to be poor’,” he said.
Global commitment
Referencing the 2025 World Social Report, Ngurare said the past 30 years have fallen short of the ambitions set out in Copenhagen in 1995, particularly in achieving decent work, reducing inequality and fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He described the Doha summit as “a crucial opportunity to recommit, re-strategise and reposition ourselves” to tackle social challenges through cohesive policymaking, robust institutions and unity within communities.
Outlining Namibia’s recent domestic measures, the premier highlighted the launch of the National Youth Development Fund, which allocates N$500 million annually, with N$257 million already disbursed to support young entrepreneurs with loans that require no collateral.
He added that in a historic moment, government will fund registration and tuition for all tertiary students next year, ensuring equitable access to higher education.
“Since independence, Namibia has made education and health a priority above all priorities,” he said. “They continue to receive the largest budget allocations, including in the 2025/2026 financial year," he added.
Digital transformation
Ngurare further emphasised the urgency of addressing the global digital divide, describing it as a new form of inequality driven by unaffordable internet access and weak digital infrastructure.
“Let this era of human development not create valleys of prosperity for some and mountains of poverty for others,” he urged. “Digitisation must be undertaken within ethical considerations through governance frameworks that ensure it does not overshadow human judgement.”
To this end, Namibia has launched its National Digital Strategy (2025-2029) to prepare its workforce through digital reskilling and upskilling programmes in anticipation of the future job market, he noted.
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