Namibia must grow its economy by more than 5% annually to meet the targets of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), according to Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) Chief Executive Officer Titus Nampala.
Speaking at the opening of the Namibia Public–Private Partnership Forum on Thursday, Nampala said the country stands at a crossroads, facing high unemployment, rising debt, and sluggish economic growth.
“It has been a long time since Namibia reached that level, but it is not beyond our reach. What we need are slight tweaks in approach, mindset, and the rhythm with which we act,” he said.
Nampala emphasised that the private sector is ready to partner with government to realise this growth, but called for an enabling business environment that provides fair regulation, reliable infrastructure, and wider market access.
“The private sector is ready to assure you, Your Excellency, it is possible. Our ask is very small, an enabling business environment that embraces business as a partner in weaving the Namibian story,” he said.
He warned that fragmented regulation and overlapping mandates increase the cost of doing business, discouraging investment and entrepreneurship.
“Reducing the cost of doing business is an urgent priority. Many enterprises are buried under layers of compliance, and red tape drives informality and discourages entrepreneurship,” Nampala said.
Welcoming the creation of the Namibia Regulators Forum under the leadership of Bank of Namibia Governor Dr Johannes !Gawaxab, Nampala described it as a step towards greater alignment and efficiency. He urged all regulators, including those in ministries and local authorities, to participate in the initiative to build trust and improve coordination.
“Creating an enabling environment depends on collaboration, not fragmentation. Alignment will enhance trust and efficiency,” he said.
Nampala also called for evidence-based policymaking and greater investment in reliable data to ensure that decisions reflect the realities of citizens across regions. He urged the country to incentivise research and innovation that support long-term development goals.
“In the 1950s Ghana and South Korea had similar GDPs. Today South Korea’s economy is almost 30 times larger. The difference has been deliberate and intentional policy planning,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of clear and timely communication on policy reforms to sustain investor confidence. “Communication must be clear, timely and strategic — designed for impact, not disruption,” he said.
Highlighting energy as a key driver of industrialisation, Nampala warned that high electricity costs continue to limit growth. He urged government to evolve the Modified Single Buyer Model to enable greater private participation in power generation.
“We cannot industrialise or attract meaningful investment while electricity costs remain high. Energy security is not a sectoral issue — it is the key that unlocks every other ambition we hold,” he said.
Nampala concluded that the private sector remains committed to working with government to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth. “These are not complaints, but commitments from a private sector that wants to partner with you and your government to meet its social contract to the Namibian people,” he said.
His remarks came as President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officially launched the Namibia Public–Private Forum (NAMPPF), aimed at fostering collaboration between government and business to promote decent and sustainable job creation.
Speaking at the launch under the theme “Public–Private Dialogue to Drive Decent and Sustainable Job Creation: Enhancing Namibia’s Competitiveness,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said the forum would serve as a platform for joint solutions to national development challenges.
“Back in 2021, Cabinet decided on the establishment of the Namibia Public–Private Forum, which we are now launching today. You might say it takes time, but remember late is better than never, and we were putting everything in place,” she said.
She added that the forum’s goal is to strengthen dialogue between the public and private sectors in pursuit of shared national objectives.
“We know that the public and private sectors have distinct responsibilities, but we are both focused on the same people — the citizens of our country. Hence, there is a need for a common approach and understanding to enable us to achieve our objectives and succeed together,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
