In a landmark development that underscores Namibia’s commitment to knowledge-based economic transformation, President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah last week inaugurated a N$37 million Science Exhibition Hall and upgraded Digital Technology Hub in Ondangwa, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards industrialisation and technological self-sufficiency.
The facility, funded through a strategic partnership between Rössing Uranium Limited, China National Nuclear Corporation, and the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China, represents one of the most substantial private sector investments in Namibia’s science and technology infrastructure to date.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who accepted the honour of having the Science Exhibition Hall named after her, emphasised that the facility comes at a pivotal moment when her administration has elevated youth development and empowerment to a new level of priority. “Every nation that aspires to prosperity must invest in its people,” the President declared. “It must invest in education, science, technology, and innovation. Above all, it must create opportunities for young people to realise their full potential.”
Strategic Economic Implications
The upgraded Digital Technology Hub is positioned as a cornerstone of Namibia’s Fourth Industrial Revolution strategy, designed to equip young people and communities with access to modern technology and digital resources. This investment directly supports the Human Development and Community Resilience Pillar of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), according to the President’s address.
Industry observers note that the facility’s strategic location in the Oshana Region positions it as a catalyst for regional economic development, transforming the area into an attractive destination for conferences, academic exchanges, and innovation-driven gatherings. This is expected to stimulate local economic activity through increased business tourism and knowledge-based commerce.
The President, who will undertake a State Visit to China in the coming days accompanied by Namibian business personalities, highlighted the visit’s purpose as strengthening bilateral and economic cooperation between the two nations. This diplomatic engagement is viewed as a significant opportunity to deepen the economic ties exemplified by today’s inauguration.
Private Sector Leadership
Rössing Uranium Limited Chairman Steve Galloway and his executive team witnessed the inauguration, which comes as the mining company celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. The N$37 million investment in upgrading and transforming the facility demonstrates what the President described as the company’s “genuine commitment to uplifting communities, developing human potential, and making meaningful contributions to national progress.”
The Rössing Foundation’s involvement extends beyond financial contribution, with the organisation having a long-standing track record in adult literacy, science, mathematics, agriculture, small-scale mining, and community development. President Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that the Foundation has “touched and transformed countless lives” since its establishment.
Breaking the Consumer Mentality
In what observers interpret as a clear economic policy direction, the President challenged Namibians to move beyond being mere consumers of technology developed elsewhere. “As Namibians, we cannot afford to be mere consumers of technology developed elsewhere. We must become creators, innovators, and producers of knowledge,” she stated. “We must empower our young people to develop solutions that respond to our own challenges while contributing to global progress.”
This vision aligns with the government’s recent decision to 100% subsidise registration and tuition fees for all qualifying Namibian students pursuing university and vocational training. The policy is designed to nurture talent, unlock potential, and equip young people with skills required to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
A Personal Connection
The President, who shared that science and mathematics were her favourite subjects as a student, accepted the honour of having the facility bear her name with humility. She framed the recognition not merely as a personal tribute but as “a reminder of our collective responsibility to invest in young people, advance a culture of learning, and build a future driven by innovation and knowledge.”
Looking Forward
The facility is expected to serve as a launchpad for local innovation, helping to develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills among young Namibians. The President emphasised that the true measure of the facility’s success will not be its buildings, equipment, or technology, but “the young minds it inspires, the innovations it produces, and the opportunities it creates for generations to come.”
As Namibia continues implementing its development agenda towards Vision 2030, the Ondangwa facility stands as a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration between government, the private sector, and international partners. The President called on the private sector to continue working alongside government “as a genuine partner in development,” stressing that together, they can address pressing challenges including unemployment and poverty.
In her concluding remarks, the President officially inaugurated the Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Science Exhibition Hall and the Ondangwa Digital Technology Hub, declaring the facility open “with one heart one mind.” The event marks a significant step in Namibia’s economic transformation journey, signalling a future where Namibian innovation and knowledge production take centre stage in national development.