The Ohangwena Region has identified 16 investment projects requiring about N$700 million and with the potential to create around 5,000 direct jobs as it seeks to attract capital into agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, tourism and other sectors.
The projects form part of the newly launched Ohangwena Regional Investment Map and Action Plan, which seeks to turn the region’s economic opportunities into investable projects.
Jason Kasuto, Managing Director of Monasa Advisory and Associates, said the investment pipeline covers priority sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, tourism and the creative industries.
“The Investor Map has identified 16 key anchor projects, with an investment of about N$700 million over the next few years and a direct job impact of about 5,000,” Kasuto said at the launch in Helao Nafidi on 11 September.
The broader investment plan identifies agriculture and agro-processing, livestock and value addition, logistics and trade, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, ICT and the digital economy, healthcare, property and infrastructure, youth entrepreneurship and the creative economy as areas with investment potential.
Ohangwena Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said the region intends to use its proximity to Angola and position along a major trade gateway to attract investment beyond traditional cross-border trade.
“We want Ohangwena to position itself not simply as a border region, but as a dynamic economic gateway between Namibia and the wider Angolan market,” Hamutumwa said.
She identified logistics, warehousing, distribution, agro-processing, manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, financial and business services as some of the activities that could benefit from stronger economic links with Angola.
Agriculture is also expected to play a central role, with the region seeking investment beyond primary production into processing, packaging, storage, logistics and marketing.
Hamutumwa said the strategy should ensure that local farmers, entrepreneurs and young people participate in the value chains created by new investments.
“We want to build local value chains, we want our farmers to supply industries, we want our small businesses to supply larger enterprises, we want our young people to acquire the skills required by emerging industries,” she said.
Minister in the Presidency Charles Mubita said the identified opportunities now need to be prioritised and converted into tangible investments through resource allocation, capacity building and investment promotion.
“The Investment Map and Action Plan identifies, with clarity and rigour, the bankable opportunities that lie before us in sectors such as agriculture and agro-processing, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, logistics and transport, healthcare, renewable energy, the creative economy, and other emerging industries,” Mubita said.
Hamutumwa said the success of the initiative would ultimately be measured by the amount of investment secured, businesses established and jobs created.
“The real test will be what happens after tonight. How many investors do we attract? How many businesses are established? How many local entrepreneurs enter new value chains? How many young people find meaningful employment?” she said.
The Investment Map and Action Plan will serve as a framework for promoting and facilitating investment in the region while strengthening cooperation between government, the private sector, financial institutions and development partners.
