Foreign Investors Jeopardising Local Businesses

Local Businesses in Namibia are on the verge of collapsing due to uncontrolled foreign investment.

It is a big concern to see so many investors from elsewhere taking over struggling local businesspeople.

These so-called investors are severely pressuring the local business class, as they sell almost every product locals may need in their daily lives.
Firstly, these investors sell almost all essential products.

They clearly intend to dominate our local businesspeople, if not the entire economy.

It is odd that our fellow citizens buy these products simply to resell them at inflated prices, while there is customer concern over the origin of these products.

This is a clear indication that our businesspeople are being squeezed into narrow corners to operate and are indeed struggling in darkness.

In addition to this, some of these business moguls and tycoons are given privileges to trade for extended hours, similar to a few Namibian-born businesspeople.

This freedom is debilitating local businesses and restricting local people from expanding their enterprises to further horizons.

It seems that money speaks louder than words. One could ask why these so-called investors are given so much freedom in the Namibian business sphere.

It also makes one ponder the advantages they offer, aside from tax contributions.

Some of these investors are now establishing their businesses at small towns and settlements.

Previously, business individuals at these smaller towns sourced their stock from distant towns and made strides in their nascent enterprises.

Now, the business status quo has dramatically changed.
These local entrepreneurs are trying to compete with these business giants, which makes the competition utterly futile.

This is like mice competing with dinosaurs.

Some towns in Namibia are practically administered by locals, but business-wise are owned by foreign investors. You hardly see meaningful local dominance at some of those towns.

The Namibian economy and many local businesses are likely to die a natural death, suffocated by the overcrowding of unrestricted foreign investors, if adequate preventative care is not taken.
– Kayavela Helmut

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