President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned that delays and inconsistent communication by public institutions could harm Namibia’s competitiveness as an investment destination, following an impromptu visit to the One Stop Centre at the Business and Intellectual Property Authority in Windhoek.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia’s ability to attract domestic and foreign investment depends not only on policy reform but also on how efficiently those policies are implemented at the service-delivery level.
“You should not take a whole week to inform an investor whether the response is positive or negative. Keeping people in uncertainty frustrates them and pushes away other investors. Information spreads very fast, and perceptions about doing business in Namibia travel just as quickly,” she said.
The President said the private sector remains central to economic growth, employment creation and wealth generation, adding that public institutions must engage investors as partners in development rather than as clients navigating complex processes.
She met with management and staff to assess the Centre’s role in coordinating approvals and investor services across government, which is intended to reduce duplication and shorten turnaround times.
The One Stop Centre, launched last year, is a key component of government’s investment reform programme aimed at improving transparency and predictability for investors.
Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged capacity and infrastructure constraints at the Centre, including limited office space, and said further institutions would be integrated to improve coordination and minimise the need for investors to engage multiple agencies.
She said sustained improvements in service delivery are critical to protecting Namibia’s investment reputation.
“Without effective implementation, commitments remain words and do not translate into action,” the President said, adding that public servants play a decisive role in whether reforms succeed.
The visit comes as Namibia seeks to strengthen its investment appeal amid regional competition for capital and ongoing efforts to boost economic growth.
