Japan has contributed more than N$80 billion towards Namibia’s development since independence, including approximately N$47 billion in grants and development assistance, according to the National Planning Commission (NPC).
NPC Executive Director I-Ben Natangwe Nashandi revealed the figures during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Namibia.
The funding has supported projects across key sectors, including infrastructure development, agriculture, education, skills development, institutional capacity building and policy support.
Nashandi said the partnership between Namibia and Japan predates the establishment of JICA’s office in Namibia, noting that Namibians were already benefiting from Japan-funded training programmes during the 1990s.
He said JICA has played a significant role in strengthening Namibia’s development agenda through technical assistance, infrastructure planning, agricultural productivity programmes and community empowerment initiatives.
The agency has also provided support for government policy formulation, education and skills development, as well as programmes aimed at improving institutional performance and competitiveness.
According to Nashandi, Namibia has also benefited from the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) programme, which was formalised through an agreement signed in December 2004.
Since then, 177 Japanese volunteers have been deployed to Namibia, with 11 currently serving in the country.
“These deployments offer skills transfer and on-the-job training to our people,” Nashandi said.
The volunteers have supported sectors such as education, vocational training, engineering, mechanics, dressmaking and agriculture, helping to strengthen local skills and capacity.
Nashandi further highlighted opportunities created for Namibian professionals through training programmes, technical exchanges, study tours and postgraduate studies in Japan.
He said the partnership is anchored in a shared commitment to inclusive, sustainable and people-centred development, principles that align closely with Namibia’s Vision 2030 and successive National Development Plans.
As Namibia prepares to implement the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), Nashandi said international development partnerships remain critical to supporting economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, industrialisation, food security, climate resilience and human capital development.
“It is through partnerships like this that we are able to attract development assistance to complement our own resources for implementing national development plans,” he said.
Nashandi described human capital development as one of JICA’s most enduring contributions to Namibia, saying investments in education and skills development are essential to advancing infrastructure development, industrialisation, natural resource beneficiation and technological progress.
He added that Namibia remains committed to strengthening its partnership with Japan and JICA, noting that the collaboration has consistently supported the country’s development priorities while promoting local ownership, sustainability and long-term impact.
