Namibia's president inaugurates Gorengap Trade Centre in Katutora district to promote development
The project is an integrated platform to bring essential services closer to citizens.
Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
The President of Namibia inaugurated, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa officially inaugurated the Gorengap Commercial Centre in the Katutura district on Friday, June 5, 2026, affirming that the project represents an important step towards promoting inclusive economic development and empowering local communities.
In her speech during the opening ceremony, the President said that the commercial center is not only a commercial investment, but also an integrated platform to bring basic services closer to citizens, in addition to its contribution to creating job opportunities and supporting the rapid transformation that Katotura is witnessing to become a vital center for economic activity.
Radical transformations in Catutura over the decades
Nandi-Ndaitwa noted that Katotora has undergone radical transformations over the decades, moving from an area associated with exclusion during the apartheid era to a vibrant community characterized by entrepreneurship and the ability to grow and persevere.
The President welcomed the investments of both Savland Real Estate Group and Oryx Real Estate Company, praising their confidence in the promising economic potential of the Gorengap and Katutora regions, and their role in supporting the development path.
She highlighted the direct economic impact of the project, explaining that it provided about 300 job opportunities during the construction phase, with expectations of providing nearly 400 permanent jobs after operation.
In the context of supporting the local economy, the President called on entrepreneurs, young people and business owners, especially in the food sector, to increase reliance on local products. She also urged producers and retailers to build partnerships that would develop local value chains and improve food security.
She stressed that the agricultural sector remains a national priority, encouraging the expansion of urban and peri-urban agriculture initiatives to meet the needs of local markets and provide fresh produce to shopping centers.
The president concluded her speech by calling on the residents of the area to treat the shopping center as a shared community facility, and to work to support and maintain it, expressing her confidence that the Gorengap Center will become a sustainable hub for economic activity, investment and community development in the coming years.
