The industrialisation agenda in Namibia
Opinion
The Namibia Industrial Development Agency has made the country's industrialisation its primary focus, the agency's CEO Richwell Lukonga writes.
Over the years, Namibian agencies have sought to harness the country’s natural resources to enhance economic growth. In this context, the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) was established by Parliament through the Namibia Industrial Development Agency Act 16 of 2016. With a mandate to spearhead industrial, agribusiness and business infrastructure development, as well as to facilitate investment attraction, NIDA has made the industrialisation of Namibia its primary focus. Acting as an agent equity investment on behalf of government and Its institutions, NIDA has been mandated to execute business incentives to support industrialisation as well as facilitate, develop, coordinate and foster partnerships across all spheres of government, the private sector and relevant stakeholders that may assist the agency to achieve its objectives. Undertaking such marketing and promotional activities, campaigns and representation as the agency considers necessary, in terms of Namibian laws, NIDA ensures the successful growth and expansion of Namibia’s export processing zones and economic zones. The agency also undertakes research on matters relating to industry, industry development and productivity.
NIDA focuses on public investment promotion and trade facilitation, promoting viable strategic investment projects in development initiatives and export processing zones as part of the government’s industrial and integrated rural development strategies. Equally important to NIDA, this constitutes entering into public-private partnerships on behalf of the government and its institutions. The research and development of new opportunities for value addition and development of new sectors remains a critical role.
Industrial growth
Another of NIDA's crucial roles is promoting operations and managing and maintaining a publicity programme promoting Namibia in relation to export-driven industrial growth. The agency takes necessary measures to enable it to exercise effective control over its interest in enterprises in which it has invested. Economic development impact remains critical with the consent of the minister, in addition to developing methods and programmes to provide adequate funding for continuous sustainable promotional operations.
This allows NIDA to be responsible for finance implementing procurement and outsourcing policies and programmes that promote economic empowerment. One such investment involves the expansion of irrigation initiatives at Naute, focusing on dates, table grapes, pomegranates, prickly pears and more. Located next to the Naute Dam, about 45 kilometres outside Keetmanshoop in the //Karas Region, this investment includes a packaging facility for table grapes and dates, storage and workshop areas, an administrative building, and staff housing.
The expansion of date production and viable agribusiness at the Eersbegin facility in the Kunene Region is another key project, offering opportunities for diversification into cash crops, tourism and hospitality. Additionally, NIDA is seeking investors for feedlot development, fodder and feed cultivation at our facilities at the Kavango Cattle Ranch in the Kavango West Region.
This investment also includes possible biomass production, further enhancing the its economic impact. In the Kavango East Region, NIDA is advancing an agri-business project in Divundu, along with special agri-scheme projects such as Musese and Shitemo green schemes. These projects are expected to create numerous employment opportunities. Furthermore, NIDA seeks investment in the establishment of a cold storage facility in Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region. This investment is expected to provide significant employment opportunities and accommodate multiple tenants operating independently
Finally, the completion of the Manyeha Crocodile Farm in Kongola in the Zambezi Region is aimed at breeding crocodiles, harvesting and processing crocodile leather and serving as a tourist attraction. This project combines agri-business, tourism, hospitality and commercial opportunities. Consequently, NIDA has acquired industrial and agri-business land for development into viable business ventures. These semi-developed and undeveloped parcels are earmarked for further development to support value addition, manufacturing and processing activities across various regions. This development will be carried out in strategic partnerships within industries, agribusiness and infrastructure development.
Primary goals
With primary goals of generating employment, reducing poverty, enhancing livelihoods, boosting import substitution and promoting the manufacturing of value-added products, NIDA has allocated industrial land for private sector development in towns, villages and areas such as Tsumeb, Otavi, Divundu, Walvis Bay, Karibib, Okahandja, Opuwo, Witvlei, Otjiwarongo, Omaruru, Oshakati, Brakwater and Prosperita in Windhoek. These investments are critical due to their potential to create positive multiplier effects throughout the economy, particularly in regions essential for catalysing Namibia’s industrialisation and socioeconomic transformation.
During the implementation years, NIDA will focus on the planning and development of special economic zone (SEZ) industrial parks and logistical centres with the necessary infrastructure and support services. This effort is crucial for establishing viable production units for goods and services, primarily led by the private sector, and is vital for achieving our industrialisation goals. It is of utmost importance to engage with communities NIDA operates in as well as share commitment from board level to continuously execute our mandate in a transparent and accountable manner at all times.
NIDA’s industrialisation agenda revolves around five key initiatives: Youth empowerment and employment creation; entrepreneurship development; investment facilitation and attraction; export-oriented industrial growth, and import substitution. These initiatives are aligned with our vision statement, 'Geared towards growing sustainable industries', which guides our efforts in identifying and executing flagship projects across various sectors.
These projects are essential due to their potential to generate widespread positive impacts across the economy, particularly in regions that are crucial for advancing Namibia’s industrialisation and socioeconomic transformation.
*Richwell Lukonga is the CEO of the Namibia Industrial Development Agency.