By Christopher Swart
Namibia stands at the brink of transformation. With the recent launch of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the country has charted a bold new path towards industrialisation, youth employment, and inclusive growth.
Yet the realisation of this vision will not lie in policy alone, it will depend on how effectively the private sector, especially the service industry, aligns its inner workings to deliver results on the ground.
One of the most overlooked yet powerful opportunities lies in bridging the gap between sales, business development, and finance teams within service sector organisations. This triad, often fragmented by departmental walls, holds the key to unlocking the growth of small businesses, supporting industrialisation, and expanding access to skills and innovation, the very pillars of NDP6.
The Missed Link in Economic Acceleration
Sales professionals chase targets. Business development executives scan for new opportunities. Finance teams guard the numbers. But too often, they do so in silos.
This disconnect stifles strategic execution. A sales team might secure a deal with an MSME that is not financially viable. A business development team might design a solution perfectly aligned with NDP6 focus areas like agro-processing or green energy, only to be blocked by unclear costing models. Finance may reject a proposal due to perceived risk, unaware that it supports government-backed economic clusters.
When these three functions operate in isolation, organisations miss the chance to position themselves as nation-building partners.
Service Sector: The Hidden Engine Behind NDP6
Namibia’s service sector, including ICT, banking, logistics, consulting, training, and software, is not just a support system. It is a critical economic lever.
Under NDP6, the government has committed over N$505 billion to transform the economy. From the formalisation of 950 MSMEs to the creation of over 80,000 manufacturing jobs, from free tertiary education to digital innovation ecosystems, every goal requires a capable, collaborative service sector.
By aligning internal teams:
Sales can target clients in NDP6-priority sectors.
Business development can craft integrated offerings that speak to local needs and national goals.
Finance can structure affordable, scalable, and strategic pricing models, leveraging public grants, donor funding, or guarantee schemes.
This internal unity doesn’t just create better services; it creates a stronger Namibia.
From Strategy to Systemic Impact
Picture a local ICT firm providing cybersecurity and cloud solutions. When its sales, Business Development, and Finance teams work in tandem:
They target SME manufacturers in Walvis Bay’s industrial corridor.
They design bundled services that meet compliance, productivity, and training needs.
They price these services in ways that accommodate startup capital constraints—possibly working with public funding vehicles backed by NDP6.
Multiply this model across banking, logistics, education tech, HR consulting, and renewable energy advisory, and you begin to see the ripple effects on employment, GDP growth, and formalisation of the informal economy.
This is not just operational efficiency, it is economic nation-building.
A Call to the Namibian Private Sector
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on every citizen to “become a builder of the promised land.” For the business sector, that means moving beyond profit to purpose. It means turning internal alignment into national contribution.
It is time for service executives and leaders to break down the silos. Create common dashboards. Align performance targets. Empower cross-functional thinking. Measure success not just by revenue, but by relevance to NDP6.
The next five years are not just a policy cycle, they are Namibia’s defining decade. And the service sector holds the scaffolding that will support our nation’s upward climb.
Let us bridge the gap, build together, and bring the vision of NDP6 to life.
*Christopher Swart currently serves as the Commercial Expansion Manager at Salt Essential Information Technology (Pty) Ltd, one of Namibia’s leading IT service providers. Known for his strategic mindset and deep understanding of business ecosystems, Christopher plays a key role in shaping Salt Essential IT’s market presence, forging customer partnerships, and expanding the company’s footprint across public and private sectors.
With close to two decades of experience in the financial service sector, technology-driven business development, sales and strategic management, he serves as a trusted commercial advisor to Salt’s Managing Director and Board, championing initiatives that align innovation with national priorities. Christopher is particularly passionate about building solutions that support Namibia’s broader socio-economic goals, including MSME empowerment, digital transformation, and sustainable growth.
