Warifo Investment, a company based in the United Arab Emirates, has invested N$500 million in the GAIDIP Oasis Agricultural Project in the //Kharas Region, which is expected to employ 1,500 people during its first phase.
Speaking at the inauguration, Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare said the project aims to produce 5,000 metric tonnes of dates annually, positioning Warifo as Namibia’s leading date palm producer and placing the country in competition with established growers in Chile and Peru.
“We note with appreciation that N$500 million was invested in this project. Over 1,500 people will be employed in the first phase, increasing to about 3,000 employees at full production. This collaboration between the government and the private sector on job creation is highly welcomed,” he said.
Ngurare said about 60,000 palm trees will be planted under the project, with the intention to expand to 600,000 palm trees through its own offshoots over a five-year period.
“With this investment in agriculture, Warifo is set to produce reliable, high-quality and significant volumes of local vegetables such as potatoes, onions, butternut, sweetcorn, pomegranate and various varieties of dates,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of food security, stating that no nation is fully sovereign if it cannot feed itself.
“A nation that cannot feed itself lives at the whims of nations that feed it and can hardly take sovereign decisions without upsetting global geopolitical formations. After all, he who feeds you calls the shots,” he said.
He commended the United Arab Emirates’ National Food Security Strategy 2051, which aims to make the country a global leader in food security by enhancing local production through technology, diversifying imports and reducing waste.
Ngurare added that the project activates key economic drivers through modern irrigation systems, renewable energy, export-led growth and local value chains, contributing to a more resilient and self-sufficient Namibian economy.
“The project introduces climate-smart agricultural technologies, including state-of-the-art automated irrigation systems, directly contributing to the ambitions of NDP6 to modernise Namibia’s agricultural sector, increase productivity and ensure long-term food and water security,” he said.
He expressed confidence that these advanced irrigation systems could be replicated along other perennial rivers such as the Kunene, Kavango and Zambezi.
“Through this project, Warifo Investments has demonstrated bold leadership by mobilising private capital for rural development and high-value production. Their mission to position Namibia as a competitive exporter of premium dates and grapes strengthens our presence in regional and international markets, boosts national revenue and drives economic growth,” he said.
Ngurare added that by empowering local communities and creating sustainable jobs, the investment supports the social and economic priorities of NDP6.
“This project has come at the right time, as Namibia works to reduce import dependency, enhance national self-sufficiency and strengthen food security,” he said.
He concluded that strong public-private partnerships will remain central to the country’s economic transformation.
“These partnerships reduce the burden on the national budget, create jobs, attract investment and enhance long-term sustainability,” he said.
