Namibia risks losing out to more competitive markets

Businesswoman Kauna Ndilula says there are many opportunities right at Namibia’s doorstep, but they can only be unlocked if barriers such as access to land, the facilitation of application processes, and the issuance of permits are removed.Speaking during a panel discussion at the inaugural Public-Private Forum last week, she warned that if these and other administrative and regulatory hurdles are not resolved, Namibia risks continuing to lose opportunities to markets that are far more competitive.Ndilula noted further that the high unemployment and poverty levels Namibia faces did not emerge overnight. “They are the cumulative result of years of lost or unrealised investments. The same pattern will repeat if current opportunities are not seized," she warned. “Ultimately, the jobs we seek depend on the investments we create, and those investments require capital injection into the market," she said.Ndilula further highlighted that, in terms of policies or interventions required to stimulate private-sector investment, the policy environment and structures already in place are fairly well set up. “What is lacking, however, is coordinated intervention in terms of implementation and delivery," adding that "these are some of the low-hanging fruits that must be prioritised.”She underlined that “we already know what isn’t working. If we take responsibility for addressing inefficiencies, starting with our own recognition that improvements are required, that alone will go a long way toward achieving economic growth.”Strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation Meanwhile, the executive director in the international relations and trade ministry, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, said Namibia has signed numerous trade agreements, although the private sector may not always be aware of them. She pointed out that among the major constraints Namibia’s businesses face are limited productive capacity and their ability to supply large markets. “For example, China once expressed interest in sourcing 20 000 tonnes of beef per month from Namibia. To put that in context, we currently export only about 8 000 tonnes annually to the European Union. That means China alone would require more than double our total annual production. This highlights a crucial issue: while we are expanding market access, we must also assess our ability to supply and sustain these markets."To improve private-sector awareness of trade agreements, Nghipondoka-Robiati noted that government established the Namibia Trade Forum (NTF) in 2005 precisely for that purpose, to assist the private sector in understanding trade policy and developments. “The private sector is also included in our trade negotiations, contributing input through representation in the negotiating teams,” she added.Regarding Namibia’s diplomatic missions, Nghipondoka-Robiati said the country’s message is clear: the top priority for the government is economic diplomacy. “While peace and stability remain the foundation, we must now strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation to ensure tangible benefits and real impact on the livelihoods of all Namibians,” she said.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Namibia risks losing out to more competitive markets

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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Namibia risks losing out to more competitive markets

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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