The Namibian government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding beef exports and increasing value addition in the livestock sector, positioning the industry as a key driver of economic growth, employment and rural development.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform at the Meat Corporation of Namibia’s (Meatco) 2026 Annual General Meeting, Deputy Executive Director for Agriculture Kingsley Kwenani said government wants to strengthen local meat processing, expand agro-processing industries and increase investment in value-added products to maximise returns from the country’s livestock industry.
He said the strategy supports the government’s industrialisation agenda and the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which prioritises value addition, economic diversification and sustainable job creation.
“Protecting our markets is only one part of the equation. The greater opportunity lies in creating more value from every animal produced in Namibia. Value-added products. Government’s vision is clear. We must move beyond measuring success by the number of cattle we export and increasingly measure it by the value we create within our own economy. That means expanding local processing. It means strengthening agro-processing industries. This is fully aligned with Government’s industrialisation agenda and the objectives of the Sixth National Development Plan, which places renewed emphasis on value addition, economic diversification and sustainable job creation. The livestock industry has a critical role to play in achieving these national priorities,” Kwenani said.
Kwenani described Meatco as a strategic national asset, saying its role extends beyond meat processing to protecting export markets, maintaining Namibia’s reputation for premium-quality beef and creating value across the livestock value chain.
He acknowledged that the corporation had faced one of its most difficult operating periods in recent years, with prolonged drought and national herd rebuilding efforts significantly reducing cattle supplies.
“The audited financial statements before us reflect one of the most difficult operating periods for Namibia’s livestock industry in recent years. Successive droughts and the rebuilding of the national cattle herd resulted in significantly lower cattle availability,” he said.
Kwenani commended the Meatco board, management and staff for maintaining financial resilience during the challenging period and called for continued improvements in operational efficiency, financial sustainability and market expansion.
He also underscored the importance of maintaining Namibia’s disease-free status, veterinary services and livestock traceability systems, describing them as the foundation of the country’s premium beef export markets.
Kwenani welcomed ongoing efforts to regain access to the United States market, restore beef exports to China and expand trade opportunities across Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Government also welcomes the continued efforts to regain access to the United States market, restore exports to China, and expand Namibia’s footprint across Africa through the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area. Diversified markets create diversified opportunities. They reduce risk. They strengthen producer confidence. And they position Namibia’s livestock industry for long-term, sustainable growth,” Kwenani said.
