By Richwell Lukonga
Over the years, Namibian agencies have sought to harness the country’s natural resources to enhance economic growth. In this context, the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) was established by Parliament through Act 16 of 2016. With a mandate to spearhead industrial, agribusiness, and business infrastructure development, as well as to facilitate investment attraction, NIDA has made the industrialization of Namibia its primary focus.
Acting as an agent equity investment on behalf of Government and Its Institutions NIDA has been mandated to execute business Incentives to support industrialization, facilitate, develop, coordinate and foster partnerships across all spheres of government, the private sector and relevant stake-holders that may assist the Agency to achieve its objectives.
Undertaking such marketing and promotional activities, campaigns and representation as the Agency considers necessary, in terms of Namibian laws, NIDA ensures the successful growth and expansion of Namibia’s export processing zones and economic zones as well as undertaking research generally on matters relating to industry, industry development and productivity. NIDA focuses on public investment promotion & trade facilitation through investment promotion and Trade Facilitation, promoting viable strategic investment projects in development initiatives and export processing zones as part of the Government’s industrial and integrated rural development strategies. Equally important to NIDA, this constitutes of entering into Public Private Partnerships on behalf of government and its institutions.
Researching on and development of new opportunities for value addition and development of new sectors remains a critical role. Promoting operations and managing and maintaining a publicity programme promoting Namibia in relation to export-driven industrial growth. Taking such measures as are necessary to enable the Agency to exercise effective control over its interest in enterprises in which it has invested. Economic development impact remains critical with the consent of the Minister, developing methods and programmes to provide adequate funding for continuous sustainable promotional operations and manage and maintain a publicity programme promoting Namibia in relation to export-driven industrial growth. This allows NIDA to be responsible for finance implementing procurement and outsourcing policies and programmes that promote economic empowerment.
One such Investment involves the expansion of irrigation initiatives at Naute, focusing on dates, table grapes, pomegranates, prickly pears, and more. Located next to the Naute Dam, about 45 km outside Keetmanshoop in the Karas Region, this investment includes a packaging facility for table grapes and dates, storage and workshop areas, an administrative building, and staff housing. Another key project is the expansion of dates production and viable agribusiness at the Eersbegin facility in the Kunene Region, offering opportunities for diversification into cash crops, tourism, and hospitality.
Additionally, NIDA is seeking investors for feedlot development , fodder and feed cultivation at our facilities at the Kavango Cattle Ranch in Kavango West. This investment also includes possible biomass production, further enhancing its economic impact. In the Kavango East Region, NIDA is advancing an agri-business project in Divundu, along with special agri-scheme projects such as Musese and Shitemo green schemes. These projects are expected to create numerous employment opportunities. Furthermore, NIDA seeks investment in the establishment of a cold storage facility in Walvis Bay, Erongo Region. This investment is expected to provide significant employment opportunities and accommodate multiple tenants operating independently.
Finally, the completion of the Manyeha Crocodile Farm in Kongola, Zambezi Region, is aimed at breeding crocodiles, harvesting and processing crocodile leather, and serving as a tourist attraction. This project combines agri-business, tourism, hospitality, and commercial opportunities. Consequently, NIDA has acquired industrial and agri-business land for development into viable business ventures. These semi-developed and undeveloped parcels are earmarked for further development to support value addition, manufacturing, and processing activities across various regions. This development will be carried out in strategic partnerships within industries, agribusiness, and infrastructure development. With a primary goal of generating employment, reducing poverty, enhancing livelihoods, boosting import substitution, and promoting the manufacturing of value-added products, NIDA has allocated industrial land for private sector development in towns such as Tsumeb, Otavi, Divundu, Walvis Bay, Karibib, Okahandja, Opuwo, Witvlei, Otjiwarongo, Omaruru, Oshakati, Brakwater, and Prosperita in Windhoek. These investments are critical due to their potential to create positive multiplier effects throughout the economy, particularly in regions essential for catalyzing Namibia’s industrialization and socio-economic transformation.
During the implementation years, NIDA will focus on the planning and development Special Economic Zone (SEZ) industrial parks and logistical centers with the necessary infrastructure and support services. This effort is crucial for establishing viable production units for goods and services, primarily led by the private sector, and is vital for achieving our industrialization goals. It is of outmost importance to engage with communities NIDA operates in as well as share commitment from board level to continuously execute our mandate in a transparent and accountable manner at all times.
NIDA’s industrialization agenda revolves around five key initiatives: Youth Empowerment & Employment Creation, Entrepreneurship Development, Investment Facilitation & Attraction, Export-Oriented Industrial Growth, and Import Substitution. These initiatives are aligned with our vision statement, “Geared Towards Growing Sustainable Industries,” which guides our efforts in identifying and executing flagship projects across various sectors. These projects are essential due to their potential to generate widespread positive impacts across the economy, particularly in regions that are crucial for advancing Namibia’s industrialization and socio-economic transformation.
Richwell Lukonga is the CEO of NIDA