Ohangwena targets N$700m investment drive

Ohangwena is seeking to attract N$700 million in investment by 2030 through an ambitious regional investment drive.

The initiative, unveiled on Tuesday under the Ohangwena Region Investor Action Plan 2026–2030, will officially open its first expression of interest (EOI) process on 11 August, inviting local and international investors to submit proposals across five priority sectors: manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, tourism and the creative industry.

Namibian businessman Jason Kasuto of Monasa Advisory & Associates said the strategy aims to attract investment for 16 anchor projects, create more than 500 direct jobs and conclude 12 to 15 investment facilitation agreements by 2030. More than 40% of the jobs are earmarked for young people.

Kasuto said the investment strategy is built around Ohangwena’s growing population and strategic location along the Oshikango-Santa Clara border post, Namibia’s busiest crossing with Angola, providing access to an estimated SADC market of 350 million consumers. The region, with a population of 337 729 recorded in the 2023 census, is being marketed as one of the country’s emerging investment frontiers.

He said manufacturing has been identified as the biggest investment opportunity, with projects valued between N$165 million and N$410 million.

Other sectors identified for investment include healthcare, agriculture, tourism and the creative industry. Proposed projects include an Oshikango special economic zone, a private hospital in Helao Nafidi, irrigation and agro-processing initiatives, eco-tourism developments in Okongo and creative industry ventures focused on film, music and crafts.

Ready to go

Three investment proposals have already been submitted to the Ohangwena governor’s office and have been prioritised for fast-tracked assessment once the EOI process begins.

These include a proposed 60-bed private hospital at Oshikango requiring N$150 million in funding and expected to employ more than 65 healthcare professionals; an industrial-scale textile manufacturing plant that could create about 1 050 jobs during its first phase; and a community commerce centre expected to generate more than 2 000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth.

A regional investment committee chaired by Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa will oversee the programme, supported by a technical committee, five sectoral working groups, the Development Bank of Namibia as lead financing arranger and Monasa Advisory & Associates as transaction adviser.

People lead

The EOI is open to Namibian small and medium enterprises, domestic and international investors, development finance institutions, community-based organisations and technical assistance providers.

The first submission window closes on 23 September, after which the process will continue through rolling annual application cycles.

Speaking at the engagement, Hamutumwa said the strategy identifies commercially viable opportunities across key sectors and provides a roadmap for attracting investment, promoting enterprise development and ensuring that economic growth benefits local communities.

“Investment should not simply come into Ohangwena, it should grow from Ohangwena, with our people playing a leading role in creating wealth, employment and sustainable economic opportunities,” Hamutumwa said.