Namibia's president outlines economic transformation in State of the Nation address

Written by: Mohamed Ragab

The president delivered NamibiaNtimbo Nandi Ndaitwah, in her second State of the Nation address, within the framework of the constitutional obligation stipulated in Article 32 (2), which aims to inform Parliament and the public about developments in the internal situation, review government policies, and outline the directions for the next phase.

This speech is a key platform for performance evaluation. GovernmentDuring it, the President presented an integrated vision for the path of social and economic transformation in the country, within the framework of the eighth administration’s program for the period (2025-2030).

Seven priority sectors

During her speech, the president reaffirmed seven key sectors that represent a priority on the government's agenda, including agriculture, sports, youth empowerment, education and training, creative industries, along with health and social care, and land, housing and sanitation issues.

These sectors focus on improving the quality of life for citizens, creating sustainable economic opportunities, and promoting investment in human capital, as the primary driver of growth and development.

Economic drivers to support the transition

The President also outlined eight key economic enablers aimed at accelerating the pace of economic transformation, foremost among them the mining, energy, oil and gas sectors, in addition to tourism, agriculture, water resources and fisheries, along with transport and logistics.

She explained that these sectors represent key pillars for utilizing Namibia’s natural resources, while working to develop infrastructure and enhance the investment environment, thus contributing to achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

وThe State of the Nation address reflects the government’s orientation towards adopting integrated policies that combine economic development and social justice, with a focus on exploiting national capabilities to achieve comprehensive development.

The speech also included an interactive question and answer session, as part of promoting transparency and accountability, which supports trust between the government and citizens, and enhances the effectiveness of public policies in achieving national development goals.

Who is the president of Namibia? 

Netumbo Ndayitwah, nicknamed “NNN”, is a first-generation veteran of the ruling SWAPO party, having joined the movement at the age of 14 and fought against the apartheid regime, which led to her imprisonment and exile for more than a decade.

Thanks to her long career, she held high-ranking ministerial positions including foreign affairs, environment, and media, culminating in the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Vice President of the Republic, before being officially elected President of the country in the 2024 elections with a percentage exceeding 57% of votes.

Ndaitwah officially took office on March 21, 2025, coinciding with the thirty-fifth anniversary of Namibia's independence, to lead the country through a pivotal phase focused on achieving food self-sufficiency and reducing unemployment, which had reached high levels.