President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s first 100 days in office set a focused and ambitious tone for Namibia’s future.
As the country’s first female president, she has brought more than symbolic change – she is redefining Namibia’s role in Africa by championing economic diplomacy, empowering small businesses and pushing for deeper intra-African trade.
Her early decisions reflect a pivot toward action.
Within weeks of taking office, Namibia made its first official export under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – a historic move signaling that Namibia is ready to embrace the continent’s largest single market.
While modest in scale, this first trade shipment was a breakthrough. For the first time, the AfCFTA was no longer an abstract idea, but a lived opportunity.
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
At the core of president Nandi-Ndaitwah’s domestic agenda is the elevation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Long overlooked in national policy, MSMEs are now being recognised as key drivers of growth, job creation and trade.
The president has repeatedly emphasised their importance, noting that MSMEs contribute about 12% of Namibia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employ more than half of the country’s workforce.
Her call to action has been clear: Local businesses must shift from informal survival to regional competitiveness.
To do so, they must plug into value chains and tap into AfCFTA trade corridors. But success will depend on more than encouragement.
These enterprises need access to finance, business development services and government-backed support systems to scale and compete.
One of the president’s boldest moves was the merging of the ministry of international relations with the ministry of trade and industrialisation.
This restructuring reflects a powerful idea: That Namibia’s foreign policy must serve its economic agenda.
At a time when global competition is fierce and regional alliances are vital, this shift toward economic diplomacy is both strategic and overdue.
DIPLOMATIC PIVOT
In her first 100 days, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s international visits to Angola, Zambia, and Botswana were purpose-driven.
She focused on expanding trade corridors, modernising customs infrastructure, and advocating for 24-hour border operations.
These initiatives are not just symbolic – they address the real bottlenecks that slow trade and increase costs for businesses.
By instructing Namibian embassies to become proactive trade and investment promotion centres, she has signaled a new diplomatic posture: One that prioritises deals over declarations.
This is a major departure from traditional diplomacy and a welcome shift for local and regional businesses.
Her administration has also shown early signs of efficiency at home.
She appointed a lean, gender-balanced Cabinet and instituted performance monitoring for all ministers, using a dashboard system to track delivery.
This kind of accountability is essential if Namibia is to improve public service delivery and investor confidence.
CHALLENGES AHEAD
Despite this promising start, major challenges remain.
Namibia’s bureaucracy is still slow and outdated.
Entrepreneurs frequently encounter delays in getting permits, licences and regulatory approvals.
While the vision is clear, the machinery of government must be modernised to deliver results.
MSMEs, though central to her agenda, continue to struggle with limited access to capital, technical training and export readiness.
The education system too is misaligned with labour market needs – leaving thousands of young Namibians unemployed or underprepared for opportunities in logistics, processing and regional trade.
The country’s overdependence on raw resource exports, particularly minerals, remains a structural risk.
Transforming Namibia into a producer of processed goods will require investment in infrastructure, energy, and skilled labour – none of which can be achieved overnight.
VISION AND EXECUTION
The success of president Nandi-Ndaitwah’s trade-led agenda will hinge on implementation.
Her administration must digitise border and customs operations, launch a fast-track unit for trade and investment approvals and introduce targeted tax incentives for local manufacturing and processing.
More importantly, Namibia must strengthen its MSME ecosystem by launching a national development fund, supporting entrepreneurship hubs and connecting local firms to AfCFTA value chains.
The president’s first 100 days have shown intent, clarity and strategic thinking.
If she can now match vision with action, Namibia could become a regional hub for processed goods and innovation – driven by empowered entrepreneurs and supported by efficient state institutions.
In that future, Namibia won’t just trade with Africa – it will help shape the continent’s economic destiny.
- Elvis Mboya is president of the Namibia-Kenya Chamber of Commerce and a former journalist in Namibia and Kenya.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
