President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged Namibian businesses to strengthen their production and technical capacity ahead of the adoption of the government’s local-content policy, as the country seeks to increase domestic participation in emerging industries.
Speaking at the official opening of the Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAiTEX) at The Dome in Swakopmund, Nandi-Ndaitwah said local companies needed to position themselves to supply goods and services to the oil and gas, renewable energy, green hydrogen and rare earth minerals sectors.
She said businesses should identify the requirements of these industries and develop the capacity to meet demand as new investment projects take shape.
“We can either sell what we produce today, or build the capacity to produce more, process more, innovate more, and compete more effectively,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said preparing local enterprises to participate in emerging industries would support the implementation of the government’s local-content policy once adopted.
The President’s remarks come as Namibia seeks to ensure that investments in new industries translate into greater domestic production, value addition and employment opportunities.
She said the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) prioritised economic diversification, industrial development and job creation, with a focus on reducing dependence on raw-material exports.
The plan promotes local processing and beneficiation to increase the economic value generated from Namibia’s natural resources.
Similarly, the National Trade Policy 2023–2030 seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, diversify exports and expand access to regional and international markets.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said trade exhibitions such as SWAiTEX could help local businesses establish commercial relationships with larger companies, investors and potential customers.
“They are practical marketplaces where producers meet buyers, businesses test ideas, investors identify opportunities, and entrepreneurs build relationships that can become contracts, partnerships and create jobs, all of which are priority areas of our government,” she said.
She stressed that the success of the expo should be measured by the contracts, partnerships and employment opportunities generated beyond the exhibition.
The President also encouraged Namibian businesses to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand their operations into regional markets.
She highlighted the Port of Walvis Bay and the Trans-Kalahari, Trans-Caprivi and Trans-Cunene corridors as important infrastructure supporting access to regional and international markets.
However, she said local companies needed to improve product quality, packaging, reliability and compliance with safety standards to compete effectively.
Nandi-Ndaitwah further urged businesses to increase local sourcing and collaborate to fulfil larger orders, while creating training and employment opportunities for young Namibians.
SWAiTEX is being held under the theme “Powering Africa’s Next Economy: Innovation, Inclusion & Industrial Growth.”
