A group of economists and policy specialists has launched a new think tank, called the Namibia Institute for Economic Policy (NIEP).
This in an effort to address the policy gaps that prevent the country from benefiting from its natural resources.
Co-founder of the institute Rowland Brown says Namibia’s vast natural endowments and infrastructure advantages have not translated into meaningful human development for most citizens.
This is despite the country having minerals, fish, wildlife, and now oil and gas.
Brown says the country’s economic trajectory has become increasingly concerning, despite its resources.
“We have high and rising unemployment – of the highest in the world – shrinking per capita gross domestic product (GDP), and households facing extreme income duress. Our cash balances are perilously thin, and our public purse is struggling to meet growing social needs,” he says.
Brown says the gap between potential and outcomes is largely a matter of policy.
“Good policy, grounded in research and data, is what’s needed to convert our opportunities into real national and human development,” he says.
According to Brown, the institute intends to be both proactive and constructive advocating for reforms that increase investment, reduce economic friction, and create jobs.
“If the right strategic reforms are pursued, the situation can be turned around quickly and easily,” he says.
