Namibia is positioning itself as a key aviation and logistics hub for Southern Africa, with a focus on the role of airports and air transport in driving economic growth, regional integration and global connectivity.
Speaking on the first day of Aviation Week, Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Airports Company, Bisey /Uirab, said aviation is not just a transport sector but a critical enabler of trade, tourism and job creation.
“At the national level, our development agenda is outlined in the National Development Plan 6 (NDP6), which places infrastructure at the centre of growth and transformation. Airports are therefore key to achieving Namibia’s vision of positioning itself not only as a destination, but as a gateway linking Southern Africa to the rest of the world, while advancing its ambition of becoming a regional logistics hub,” he said.
He outlined ongoing and planned investments in airport modernisation, infrastructure upgrades and digital systems aimed at improving efficiency, capacity and service delivery.
A key development is the planned expansion and upgrading of facilities at Hosea Kutako International Airport, alongside broader improvements at other airports across the country. These projects are expected to strengthen Namibia’s ability to handle growing passenger and cargo volumes while aligning with regional and international aviation standards.
“In the medium term, plans include the development of a new flagship terminal at Hosea Kutako International Airport under a build-operate-transfer model, along with upgrades at other airports to meet current and future demand in line with national and regional ambitions,” /Uirab said.
He cautioned, however, that infrastructure alone will not be enough.
He said sustainable growth in the aviation sector will depend on stronger partnerships between governments, airlines, investors and logistics stakeholders, with collaboration, innovation and regulatory efficiency identified as key to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
“Infrastructure and policy alone are not enough. The real driver of growth is innovation and partnership. We must address not only challenges, but also the broader ecosystem that connects airlines, governments, investors, logistics providers and communities,” he said.
