The University of Namibia (UNAM) plans to expand its fruit and vegetable processing facility at the Katima Mulilo Campus into a fully commercial mango processing plant.
According to Simon Namesho, UNAM’s Manager for Public Relations and Media Operations, the project will require an estimated investment of N$20 million to complete.
“Of the projected amount, 20% will be financed by UNAM while 80% is expected from government. UNAM’s contribution will come in the form of technical expertise in product development, quality control, testing, design and marketing, leveraging its skilled personnel,” Namesho told The Brief.
He said the existing processing facility, operated under the Centre for Innovation and Development, currently handles fruit and vegetable products but is not yet running at full commercial scale.
Namesho explained that the facility will be fully operational during 2025, with expanded capacity expected to come online in the 2026/27 financial year.
“The current plant can produce around 100 litres of juice per hour and also processes jams from mangoes, mutete and maguni. In the 2025 mango season, production of dried mango crisps will commence, supported by recently installed cold storage infrastructure that enhances value addition,” he said.
The expanded plant is expected to supply both domestic and regional markets, with specific ambitions to export dried mango products to international buyers from 2026/27 onwards.
Namesho said the project aligns with national goals to diversify exports and strengthen Namibia’s agro-processing sector.
“Once fully scaled, the facility is expected to move beyond meeting domestic demand to serve regional markets and position Namibian mango products competitively on international shelves,” he added.
He also acknowledged government support for the initiative, noting that UNAM welcomes the endorsement from Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare.
“UNAM will incorporate the detailed project scope, timelines and operational framework into an integrated business plan currently being developed,” Namesho said.
Prime Minister Ngurare said the investment in the mango processing facility represents a key step in unlocking agricultural value chains in the Zambezi Region, strengthening food processing capacity, and stimulating economic growth through agro-industrial development.
He added that with the planned expansion, the facility will play a dual role in enhancing food security and driving value addition.
“Following directives from Her Excellency President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, efforts have commenced to collaborate with the University of Namibia to establish a mango processing plant in Katima Mulilo. This initiative aims to ensure that each region develops factories aligned with their unique strengths. Work on the project is now underway,” he said.
