NIPDB officially reintegrated into trade ministry

The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has now been fully integrated into the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, pending the finalisation of the newly envisaged Namibia Investment Promotion Agency, the ministry’s executive director Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati confirmed.

This development concludes a process that began following an announcement in June 2025 that the NIPDB would transition from the Office of the President, where it had been housed since its establishment in January 2021, to the ministry.

“From the last annual general meeting held on 15 September, the articles of association were amended for it to fall under the ministry of international relations. The Namibia Investment Promotion Bill will create the Namibia Investment Promotion Agency, which will then fall under the ministry by law,” Nghipondoka-Robiati said.

The NIPDB will function under the ministry, which is the custodian for trade policy, she added.

During the transitional period, NIPDB employees are not expected to lose any of their benefits.

“For now, until we have a new entity [NIPDB will retain their current salaries]. We have contractual obligations which we respect," Nghipondoka-Robiati confirmed.

Growth boost

When addressing ministerial staff this week, international relations minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi welcomed NIPDB employees to the ministry.

“Let me warmly welcome back to the ministry our colleagues from NIPDB, led by the acting CEO Jessica Hauuanga. I would be remiss if I did not also thank the outgoing CEO of NIPDB, Dr Nangula Uaandja, for her leadership and dedication,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.

“As we welcome our colleagues back to the ministry, let me emphasise the following: we all belong here. Change always brings its share of challenges, but it also offers opportunities for growth and enhanced collaboration," the minister said.

"We need one another, and I look forward to working with all of you on this critical journey of creating ‘Growth at Home’,” she added.

The late former president Hage Geingob established the NIPDB as a Section 21 company in January 2021, housed under the presidency to expedite investment opportunities in the country.