Invest Namibia Journal, March Issue 2019 (The Independence Issue)

INVEST
NAMIBIA JOURNAL
VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 Enhancing Investment to propel “Growth at Home” MARCH 2019
CELEBRATING
29
1990 - 2019
OF ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION
7 14 8
President Geingob PolyCare technology U.S. market warms
rallies Cabinet on boost for low-cost up to Namibian beef
Investment Promotion housing
Walvis Bay Port ready to 20

1
metamorphose into SADC gateway
INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019
2 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019
CONTENTS
Editorial: Celebrating 29 Years of Economic Transformation………...........………. 4
Ambassador Katjiuanjo is new Executive Director at MITSMED......................................... 5
President urges Cabinet support for Investment Promotion................................................ 7
American consumers warm up to Namibian beef.................................................................. 8-9
SADC to focus on innovation driven economy – Chair................................................... 10-11
Namibia-Kenya Business Forum to boost partnerships……................………….12-13
PolyCare technology to help ease housing backlog........................................................ 14-15
Minister Tweya hails Export Processing Zone companies…………..................…….17
Minister Alweendo urges investment in mining exploration.................................... 18-19
Walvis Bay Port ready to metamorphose into SADC’s Gateway..................................20-21
SADC pushes industrialisation agenda..................................................................................... 22-23
Orange River Irrigation Project seeks private partners........................................................... 24
TransKalahari Railway Project inches closer................................................................................... 25
India to boost economic ties with Namibia........................................................................... 26-27
Chinese companies step up investments in Namibia...................................................... 30-31
The Namibian mining sector generated N$23 billion in the
Scalability a key to manufacturing success – DBN CEO................................................. 32-33
2017/2018 financial year GIPF primes digital transformation and innovation.......................................................... 34-35
Publisher Namibia’s Eco-Sanitary enters reusable pads market...................................................... 36-37
Namibia Investment Centre Fabupharm bolsters pharmaceutical manufacturing..................................................... 38-39
Retail Charter pushes consumption of Namibian products……............……….40-41
Editor
Tunga Mboti Developing Namibia brick by brick............................................................................................ 42-43
Pick n Pay Namibia launches online service........................................................................... 46-47
Editorial Committee
Dolly Amoomo Desert Fruit Namibia scoops UAE Khalifa Award....................................................................... 48
Tunga Mboti Air Namibia teams up with KwaZulu-Natal to promote tourism..................................... 49
Lwaba Jario
Tokkie Nchindo Namibia Breweries invests in new depot at Walvis Bay.................................................... 50-51
Andreas Andjene Pick n Pay strides towards environmental friendliness................................................... 52-53
Tabby Moyo
MITSMED strategic planning workshop revisits Vision 2030.............................................. 55
Editorial Contributors MITSMED Departmental briefs and contacts……………….......................…………56
NIC, DBN, James Miller, Ngoni Bopoto,
Edith de Klerk and Tabby Moyo
Commercial Counsellors contact details......................................................................................... 57
Graphic Design & Layout

Globe Communications Namibia
Advertising
Globe Communications Namibia
Distribution
Namibia Investment Centre
Printers
Phoenix Welwitschia
The Invest Namibia Journal is published by The Invest Namibia Journal is produced by
Celebrating
The Namibia Investment Centre Globe Communications Namibia cc,
Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Unit 9 Tal Terrace, Windhoek,
Development, Windhoek, Namibia, P.O. Box 99113, Windhoek, Namibia
29 Years of Namibia’s Economic Private Bag 13340 , Telephone: +264 61 283 7315 Telephone: +264 61 247086
Transformation Agenda Fax: +264 61 220 278
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EDITORIAL
Celebrating 29 Years of
Economic Transformation
W
elcome to the 5th edition news that Namibia is set to become the first
of our growing publication, African country to export beef to the United
Invest Namibia Journal (INJ), States of America after Meatco’s meat sample
as we celebrate our 29th Independence products sent to that country were well
Anniversary. received. This is yet another milestone for
Namibia worth celebrating.
We join the Namibian Nation in celebrating
the milestones that have been achieved in The mining sector is one of the country’s
the last 29 years to promote investment key sectors contributing billions of Namibia
and grow the country’s economy. We dollars to the economy. Mines and Energy
remain committed in our efforts to Minister, Hon. Tom Alweendo wants the
continuously showcase investment and country’s mining sector to invest in geological
trade opportunities in our country as we mapping, so that Namibia can be better
strive towards economic independence. represented in the mineral resources sector.
Read about this plea inside.
As our President H.E Dr The INJ also showcases one of the success
Hage G Geingob stated, Ms. Tunga-eumbo Mboti
stories of the 2016 Invest in Namibia
Conference, PolyCare Research Technologies,
our journey towards a partnership between German and
Namibian investors which has been officially
economic emancipation This Publication will continue to highlight launched and hopes to make a mark on
the key areas for investment and trade in
is still in its infancy. Namibia in line with H.E. President Geingob’s
Namibia’s affordable housing market.
The pioneering innovative technology by
Hence, Governments’ call for concerted and sustained efforts PolyCare will revolutionise the local housing
towards promoting investment and trade market.We highlight some key investments
intensified trade and activities. To support this agenda we plan to that have been made in Namibia by Chinese
increase our reach by increasing our print run and Indian companies, running into several
investment pro-motion for the INJ and distributing the publication billions of dollars and safeguarding thousands
missions, coupled with to a wider network of potential investors
within the borders of Namibia and abroad.
of jobs for Namibians.
the Growth at Home To achieve this, we will count on the support We welcome feedback from our readers
of corporate Namibia and our development abroad and within the borders of Namibia,
agenda, remain key in partners. as we strive make a difference through
ensuring that we meet In this 5th installment of our Journal, we
the Journal’s drive to showcase Namibia’s
investment and trade potential by availing
the development goals highlight the President’s call for the entire relevant information that helps you the
Cabinet team to work towards promoting reader, the businessperson and/or the
set out in Namibia’s trade and investment in Namibia, by making investor in your decision making process.
time to engage with local and foreign
National Development business people who have plans to invest in Happy Reading!
Plans, Vision 2030 the country.
Tunga-eumbo Mboti,
and the Harambee We bring you an update on efforts to grow Deputy Director: Namibia Investment Centre
our international meat market with exciting and Editor
Prosperity Plan.

Ambassador Steve Katjiuanjo is new
Executive Director at MITSMED
T
he Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade
and SME Development (MITSMED)
wishes to extend a warm welcome
to H.E. Steve Katjiuanjo, who has been
appointed as its new Executive Director
(ED), effective February 11, 2019.
Ambassador Katjiuanjo is succeeding H.E.

Gabriel Sinimbo who is now Namibia’s
High Commissioner to India.
Ambassador Katjiuanjo
is joining this Ministry
after a 5-year service in
diplomatic posting to Ambassador Steve Katjiuanjo
the United Kingdom
Ambassador Katjiuanjo is a seasoned The Ministry is delighted to have Ambassador
(UK) and Ireland, where public servant where he served as Deputy Katjiuanjo onboard, and we all wish to pledge
he was promoting Secretary to Cabinet (ED) in the office of
Prime Minister.
our fullest support to him in spearheading
the clear mandate of this ministry, for Namibia
and safeguarding the to realise its national development goal of
He also served as an Executive Director becoming an industrialised nation by 2030.
interest of Namibia (Permanent Secretary) in the Ministries
of Youth, Sport and Culture and Justice Hon. Tjekero Tweya,
through economic respectively before he left for diplomatic Minister
diplomacy. posting. MITSMED

FULLY INVESTED IN PROVIDING CAPITAL
FOR NAMIBIA’S GROWTH.
Ashburton Investments’ Infrastructure Fund is ready to deploy debt funding of between N$100-million
and N$500-million to qualifying Namibian domestic infrastructure opportunities. Qualifying sectors
include Transport, Energy, Water, Communication and Social and Commercial Infrastructure
(including Education, Health, Agriculture, Cold-chain and Scientific facilities). Ashburton Investments
is Fully invested in helping to deliver sustainable growth in Namibia.
Interested parties should contact Josephat Mwatotele at Josephat.Mwatotele@Ashburton.com.na or

Rein van Veen at Rein.vanVeen@Ashburton.com.na. Ashburton Investments’ offices is at the corner
of Schanzen & Sinclair Roads, Windhoek, and the office number is 061-378800.
A part of the FirstRand Namibia Group

President urges Cabinet support
towards Investment Promotion
P
resident Hage G. Geingob has rallied
his entire Cabinet to work towards
promoting trade and investment in
Namibia, by taking time to meet with local
and foreign business people with plans to
invest in the country.
In his address, during the opening of the

first decision-making cabinet meeting
for the year, held on 5th February 2019,
the Head of State said it was through
economic advancement that Namibia
will be able to create jobs and income,
necessary to foster a vibrant and diverse
economy.
Having earlier declared 2019 as the “Year

of Accountability”, President Geingob
appealed for closer collaboration between
Cabinet Ministers and the business
President Hage Geingob with Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
community, and urged the Ministers to
avail themselves to meet with both local
and international investors. “I urge you to inculcate a culture of In his New Year message delivered at the
accountability in your offices. By doing beginning of the year, President Geingob
so, you will increase performance said “although the (Namibian) economy
“I wish to state that and output. You are there to provide remains volatile, we have steadied the
as a means to ensure leadership, guidance and support within
the framework of a team,” President
ship and anticipate that the tide will turn
for the better from this year”.
that Namibia becomes Geingob said.
The Head of State has challenged
a nation defined by The Head of State encouraged the Namibians, from students to workers, and
Ministers to be resolute in promoting professionals in the public and private
sustainable and shared economic activity, and not to be deterred sectors, to reinvent themselves in order
prosperity, we have by the fear of failure. to stay relevant in this technologically
advancing world.
identified Economic “By now, you are all aware of my formula of
accountability + transparency = trust. As
Advancement as one Cabinet Ministers, by being accountable “It is time for us to
of the pillars of our and transparent, you make a clear
statement that not only are you willing to
upgrade and learn new
Harambee Prosperity make commitments, but you are prepared skills. Let us become
to take responsibility for your actions.
Plan. However, more innovative, adapt,
economic advancement “This year, we will be marking 29 years as
an independent nation. Our challenge
re-tool and re-skill
cannot take place in is to ensure that the peace, unity and ourselves to benefit
stability we have enjoyed over these years
the absence of trust is translated into tangible results for the from new technologies,
people.
between Cabinet and the fourth industrial
and the business Our challenge is to take our country to the
next level of success,” President Geingob
revolution,” he said.
community,” he said. appealed.

American consumers warm up
to Namibian beef
Namibian beef will soon be on the shelves of U.S. retailers
N
amibia is set to become the first meat with antibiotics and hormones To date, only 33 countries worldwide have
African country to export beef to growth enhancers,” added Thobias. been approved to export meat to the US.
the United States of America after Acknowledging the importance of
Meatco’s meat sample products sent to Namibia was granted access to the Meatco’s market entry, Desmond Cloete,
that country were well received. American market in 2016, but was waiting the Chief Marketing Officer at the Meat
for labelling approval to start exports. Board of Namibia highlighted that this
Potential clients in the USA were impressed Under the US export rules, Namibia is development would set Namibia apart
by Meatco’s products, Rosa Thobias, eligible to export to the US boneless (not from any other competitors like Botswana
Meatco’s Corporate Affairs Manager told ground) beef raw products such as primal and Lesotho that also exports beef to the
Invest Namibia Journal. This is subsequent cuts, chucks, blade, and beef trimmings. EU and Norway.
to Meatco successfully sending sample
beef to the US Market at the end of 2018 Through the Directorate of Veterinary “Namibia is the first country in Africa to
despite US health and customs protocols Services (DVS), Namibia underwent a export beef to the US and this sets us
that are quite tedious. public health and assurance audit by the apart. Our world renowned traceability
United States of America via Food Safety system NAMLITS and FANMEAT scheme
“We are now in the process of re- and Inspection Services (FSIS). put trading partners at ease that the beef
establishing contact with customers exported to their countries are safe and
to follow up the sampling and look at Already, Meatco was audited at plant level animals from which it is sourced are raised
required next steps,” Thobias said. by an FSIS auditor. No deviations (findings) naturally and were never treated with
were raised and the Meatco plant was antibiotics, growth stimulants or any other
Meatco, in the past few years, has been found fully compliant. This inspection biotechnology,” he said.
seeking access to lucrative markets in the was conducted under the United States
United States and Asia particularly China. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which He further noted that this is a major
“Meatco is targeting retailers such as is responsible for the commercial supply development which took around 14
wholefoods niche markets (NeverEver) of meat, correct labelling and packaging years to open the US market also makes
consciousness, meaning those clients in that country. Namibia the trendsetters on the Africa
who have made a decision to never eat continent.

Namibia’s high quality beef has already proved popular on the European market
“Even big brother South a more competitive market for C grades

and it is observed in the drastic increase
programme and an on-site audit of
Namibia’s meat inspection system,
Africa may only dream in producer prices of C Grades in the and identified systemic deficiencies. In
market (also attributed to the moratorium response to this audit, Namibia submitted
to export beef to the on beef imports from South Africa due a corrective action plan that addressed
to Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak),” FSIS’s findings.
US. Meatco exports Cloete further explained.
beef under the “Never In 2009, FSIS conducted a follow-up on-
Namibia intends to export some 860 000 site audit to verify that all outstanding
Ever” brand meaning kg of beef in the first year, rising to 5.7 issues identified during the previous audit
million kg by the fifth year. The projected have been addressed. Following that
our beef was never ever Namibian beef of imports in the first year on-site audit, Namibia again provided
treated with growth would only be about 0.008% of total US
production and 0.07% of total US meat
a corrective action plan to address the
issues identified.
stimulants, animal by- imports.
In 2013, FSIS proceeded with a follow-up
products and antibiotics Evaluation of the Namibian meat on-site audit of Namibia’s meat inspection
and are raised naturally inspection system started in 2002
and resumed in 2005, after which the
system, and verified that Namibia had
satisfactorily implemented corrective
on grazing. government of Namibia requested actions in response to the 2009 on-site
approval to export beef products to the audit. Following a series of further audits
“Another major positive factor is that US. to ensure Namibia complies with US
Meatco also slaughter older animals (C regulatory standards, FSIS determined on
grades) that provides an alternatives as In 2006, FSIS conducted a document the basis of the 2014 on-site audit that
is the case with the European Union and review to evaluate the laws, regulations, Namibia fully met the criteria.
Norway markets that solely requires A, AB and other documentation used by
& B grades of beef. As a result it provides Namibia, to execute its meat inspection

SADC to focus on innovation driven
economy – President Geingob
President Hage G. Geingob addressing the launch of the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work Report in Durban, South Africa
T progress in the modern

he Southern African Development of priority value chains, particularly
Community (SADC) is currently in agro-processing, mineral beneficiation
the process of developing a regional and pharmaceuticals. Key enablers day global society.
strategy on the fourth industrial revolution, in this regard have been identified as
which is premised on transformative and Energy, Intellectual Property Rights, President Geingob also lauded the ILO
structural changes of economies of the Skills, Information and Communication for making recommendations that are
member countries, with a goal of having Technologies and private sector founded on three pillars, namely increasing
innovation driven economies by 2063. investments, among others,” said the investment in people’s capabilities, in the
SADC Chair. institutions of work and in decent and
Addressing the launch of the International sustainable work.
Labour Organisation (ILO) Global
Commission on the Future of Work Report President Geingob Skills development
in Durban, South Africa, at the beginning
of March, SADC Chairperson and the
paid tribute to the ILO,
“We welcome the perspective that the
President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. which celebrated its best future outcomes will be guaranteed
Hage G. Geingob, said as the regional by conscious decisions that ensure that
body continues to implement the SADC centenary this year, the pace of technological change is
Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap
(2015-2063), the key elements of the fourth
for having remained determined by human capacity to drive it.
industrial revolution will need to feature resolute in advancing However, this means that considerable
prominently in the implementation investments must be made to support
strategies and programmes. the notion that, people education and skills development that
“Our focus will be on strengthening (the workforce) should will swiftly and adequately respond to
new developments,” said the SADC Chair.
growth drivers linked to the potential be at the centre of real

The ILO celebrates its 100th anniversary this year
President Geingob further pointed out that

the education curricula in SADC countries
need considerable reorientation, to better
respond to emerging and future labour
market needs. It is only in this way, that
the labour market can play a stabilizing
role, as a source of income and livelihoods
for the majority, he said.
The ILO report recommends bold

measures to be taken, such as the
establishment of a universal labour
guarantee, which includes the right to
an adequate living wage, as well as a safe
working environment.
South Africa’s Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant addressing delegates
at the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work Report
Despite the positive economic growth
rates registered by SADC countries,
President Geingob said the effect on unemployment. I wish therefore to agree President Geingob concluded by
employment growth over a long period with the recommendation that future emphasising the need for “human-centred
of time has been very minimal. approaches should seek to directly development” to form the foundation for
incentivise job creation as a key target future work of the ILO and other relevant
“The high rates of unemployment rather than a by-product of economic organisations.
and underemployment in our policies that otherwise pursue other
countries already present formidable objectives,” said the Namibian Head of
challenges, particularly regarding youth State.

Namibia-Kenya Business Forum
seeks to boost trade partnerships
President Hage G. Geingob and his Kenyan counterpart H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta said they will soon implement a five year visa plan for Kenyan business
people interested in trading in Namibia. The plan is expected to eventually lead to a visa free regime between the two countries.
N
amibia has extended an partnerships between the two countries. Katjiuanjo, said Namibia offers vibrant
invitation to Kenyan investors and investment and trade opportunities to
companies to invest in the country, The Business Forum was attended by Kenyan companies.
highlighting several opportunities in a high-powered Kenyan delegation,
the manufacturing, logistics, agro– which included Cabinet Secretary of “You will agree with me that despite
processing, horticulture, solar energy, Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Hon. our historic relations, trade activities are
pharmaceuticals, textile, and tourism Peter Munya, Mr. Geoffrey K. Gathigi, minimal, and as two African countries
sectors. Director of the Kenya National Chamber there is an urgent need that both Namibia
of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Moses and Kenya improve and increase trade,
The invitation was extended during a Ikiara, Managing Director of the Kenya especially in transport and logistics. Both
meeting of the Namibia-Kenya Business Investment Authority and Mr. Maxwell countries should, therefore, forge ahead
Forum, held on the sidelines of Kenyan Otienno Odongo, Honorary Consul for to see much tangible collaborative efforts
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s official visit Namibia based in Nairobi, Kenya. between our two harbours (Port of Walvis
to Namibia during the independence Bay and Port of Mombasa),” said Hon.
celebrations week. Both President Hage Minister of Industrialisation, Trade and Tweya.
G. Geingob and his Kenyan counterpart SME Development, Hon. Tjekero Tweya,
H. E. Kenyatta expressed the need in his remarks to the forum, read by Namibia has embarked on a large-scale
to strengthen trade and economic Executive Director Ambassador Steve programme of renewing and expanding

its infrastructure to position the country as
a logistics hub for southern Africa, and as
a springboard to the rest of the continent.
This area, the Minister said, presented
various investment opportunities.
“Current focal areas are the development of

water infrastructure solutions, desalination
plants, power plants development
and power transmissions, particularly
renewable energy. Other infrastructure
projects requiring investment include
transportation and logistics infrastructure,
especially along the corridors,” said Hon.
Tweya.
A few companies from Kenya have actively

participated in the Namibian economy
with investments in civil aviation, quantity
surveying and architecture projects.
In his presentation
during the Business Namibian and Kenyan government and business representatives attending the Namibia-Kenya
Business Forum
Forum, Mr. Wilbard
environmentally friendly irrigation
Nashandi, Deputy techniques, cultivation of fruits, Nashandi highlighted, that Namibia’s
Director: Projects horticulture, vegetables, processing
of meat, fish, vegetables and fruits,
manufacturing sector also offered
opportunities in the manufacture of
& Incentives at the processing of karakul leather and wild silk, automotive parts and components,
customised agricultural machinery and fertilizers and petrochemicals,
Namibia Investment equipment, cooling rooms and testing pharmaceuticals, steel and glassware,
laboratories, as well as agriculture training among others.
Centre, showcased institutions.
trade and investment Namibia is working towards growing the
Namibia’s 1, 500km coastline is recognised mining sector and where investment
opportunities in as one of the world’s richest fishing and partnership opportunities exist in
grounds and the country is ranked the areas of exploration, prospecting and
Namibia that Kenyan among the world’s top 10 fishing nations. beneficiation.
investors could take Mr Nashandi said vast opportunities for
investment and partnerships exist in In the energy sector, Namibia is boosting
advantage of. fish processing, canning and packaging, electricity generation to meet the targets
shellfish production, mariculture and set out in the National Development
aquaculture, as well as ship and marine Programmes (NDPs), and the Harambee
Priority focus areas for exploration. Prosperity Plan (HPP). Opportunities exist
in hydro-power, wind, solar and biomass
investment promotion With Namibia fast developing into a power generation plants.
regional trade hub, opportunities for
include mineral investment exist in the transport and While Namibia’s tourism sector remains
logistics sector, where mining, agriculture, one of the most vibrant on the continent,
beneficiation, energy, healthcare, oil and gas industries are Nashandi said there were still several
value addition to natural seeking customised logistics solutions. opportunities for investment in the
Namibia is also looking expanding and construction of more lodges, hotels,
resources and SME upgrading its rail infrastructure. restaurants and conference facilities.
development to drive Other infrastructure Namibia is looking at Namibia has been at the forefront of
industrialisation. developing include, expansion of the main
airport’s capacity, construction of dry bulk
promoting adventure tourism, sport
tourism (such as iron man races and
In the agriculture/agro industry, terminals and car loading terminals at the extreme marathons), and would like to
opportunities for investment exist in Walvis Bay port, ship repair yards, storage see more such activities being hosted in
facilities and industrial parks. the country.

PolyCare to help ease Namibia’s
housing backlog
UNVEILING: Vice President Hon. Nangolo Mbumba, with Minister of Trade, Industrialisation and SME Development, Hon. Tjekero Tweya officially
opening the PolyCare factory. Also present to witness the event were Khomas Regional Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua and Minister of Economic
affairs, Science and Digital Society in the Free State of Thuringia Germany, Wolfgang Tiefensee.
O
ne of the success stories of the 2016 He said the factory produces building less emissions than conventional housing.
Invest in Namibia Conference, blocks which are harder than concrete, Interestingly further, we do not require
PolyCare Research Technologies, can be manufactured to exceptional size water making the house bricks,” Dr Dust
has officially entered Namibia’s affordable and shape tolerances with lower weight added in awe of the initiative that has
housing market with the inauguration than conventional concrete. The blocks been well received.
of its factory just outside Windhoek, on 4 do not absorb water, are completely wind
February. proof, frost proof, corrosion resistant, and
resistant to all corrosive effluents, highly PolyCare, which invested
The company, which is a joint venture resistant to UV and unaffected by larger
between Namibian and German investors, variations in temperatures. about N$38 million to set up
seeks to revolutionise the local housing
market with innovative technology which With Namibia’s housing challenges
the factory and now plans
constructs homes using desert sand and well documented and with the recent to provide training and skills
resin. declaration of war against informal
settlements by H.E. President Hage G. transfer for SMEs builders
“Nowhere in the world has this technology Geingob, the advent of PolyCare houses
been used to address housing needs means that it will take about two weeks to - so that they can become
and this means we have created a new build a two-bedroom house at a starting
solution for quality affordable housing,” price of N$295 000 (excluding the land, part of its value chain, was
said Dr Gerhard Dust, Director of PolyCare servicing and transport and professional
Namibia, during the launch ceremony fees and taxes). crafted off the excellent
officiated by Vice President Hon. Nangolo
Mbumba and Minister for Economic “There has been overwhelming approval
relationship between the
Affairs, Science and Digital Society in the on various levels of society. This is indeed Namibian and German
Free State of Thuringia – where PolyCare Germany quality made in Namibia and to
originates from – Hon. Wolfgang Tiefensee. top it off, production produces 60 percent governments.

Minister Tiefensee noted that in 2016, he
was able to join the PolyCare directors who
presented the model house to President
Geingob and hence was delighted that
the initiative had come to fruition.
“I am thrilled to witness what Namibia and

Germany can achieve together. A future
where together means to learn from each
other as equals,” he said.
While Bank Windhoek has confirmed

that they will provide end user finance
to Namibians wanting to purchase a
PolyCare house, Invest Namibia Journal
has also established that PolyCare was in
discussions with Namibia’s other financial
institutions to obtain their approval to
lend for houses built with its MAS system.
A model two-bedroom demo house at the PolyCare factory.
Vice President Hon. Mbumba called on

government and employers to embrace
PolyCare’s housing concept to address “Notably, the majority of the shares
their housing and developmental
concerns in a fast and affordable manner.
in PolyCare Research Technology
He urged Namibian commercial banks
to join the initiative. “In this regard, I
Namibia are owned by the Namibian
encourage the rest of the financial sector
to embrace this technology and come on-
partners. They include Namibbeton,
board to avail more funding to prospective
homeowners.
KL Construction and Guinas
“Similarly, I also encourage our employers
Investments”
all over Namibia, to utilise this opportunity
and help their employees to purchase
own houses. Additionally, our National
Housing Enterprise (NHE) should explore
the viability of partnering up with PolyCare,
to see how best they could execute their
mandate of providing affordable, quality
housing, to drastically reduce the existing
massive national housing backlog,” said VP
Mbumba.
He called upon the Ministers of Education,

Arts and Culture, Health and Social Services,
and Urban and Rural Development to
consider collaboration in implementing
this efficient building technology to help
Namibia build more classrooms, clinics
Employees of the new PolyCare factory outside Windhoek.
and houses at affordable prices.
production and provide the much needed Also, the building system does not use
Notably, the majority of the shares in jobs. water in its production methods, which is
PolyCare Research Technology Namibia a big positive benefit for our semi desert
are owned by the Namibian partners. They “The technology offered by PolyCare country. Furthermore, it is also efficient
include Namibbeton, KL Construction and is a welcome addition to the existing from a carbon footprint perspective which
Guinas Investments. traditional building systems as it has many will be helpful for Namibia to attain and
advantages. Among such advantages, I maintain its green energy user credentials,”
The factory is currently employing 30 understand are that the blocks used for extended the Vice President.
Namibians (15 males and 15 females), building the houses can be easily made
a number which will double upon full from locally available desert and river sand. See more launch photos on next page

Partake in this 5-day expedition to Sos-
susvlei in the Namib Desert, the world’s
oldest desert. Sossusvlei, a salt and clay
pan, surrounded by high red dunes, lo-
cated in the southern part of the Namib
Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National
Park of Namibia. The name “Sossusvlei”
is often used in an extended meaning to
refer to the surrounding area (including
other neighbouring vleis such as Deadv-
NAMIB DUNE EXPLORATION lei and other high dunes), which is one of
the major visitor attractions of Namibia.
Built in an environmentally sensitive

manner, primarily from wood, canvas and
thatch, in an attractive ‘afro-village’ style,
Sossus Dune Lodge offers guests an
evocative and life-changing experience.
Situated within the Namib Naukluft Park,
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Minister Tweya hails EPZ companies
I
ndustrialisation, Trade and SME to stimulating economic growth and
Development Minister, Hon. Tjekero employment and to establish the country
Tweya, has underlined the important as a gateway location in the Southern
role that Export Processing Zone (EPZ) African region.
companies play in the Namibian economy.
The EPZ regime is one of the numerous
Providing information in the National incentives introduced to stimulate
Assembly following questions posed by manufacturing in Namibia, enhance the
the leader of the opposition in Parliament, diversification of the local economy and
Hon. McHenry Venaani, Minister Tweya prompt exports into the region and to the
said since the inception of the EPZ Regime rest of the world.
in 1995, a total of 142 enterprises were
granted EPZ status. The EPZ regime is intended to, among
other incentives, offer some tax
Currently, there are 19 enterprises exemptions, allow companies to hold
operating under Namibia’s EPZ regime, foreign currency accounts at commercial
in the manufacturing, mineral processing banks, as well as facilitate the companies’
and motor vehicle assembly sectors, with repatriation of their capital and profits.
a combined investment of N$11, 6 billion These incentives are, however, currently
and employing 2 345 people, statistics being reviewed. Hon. Tjekero Tweya
provided by the Minister indicate.
The table below shows the individual number of jobs offered by the 19 active
The Namibian Government is committed cumulative investment value and the total EPZ status enterprises in Namibia.
The table below shows the individual cumulative investment value and
the total number of jobs offered by the 19 active EPZ status enterprises in Namibia.
Cumulative EMPLOYMENT LEVEL 2017/18

Investment Level NAMIBIANS FOREIGNERS
2017/18
EPZ Company Name (N$ ) Male Female Male Female TOTAL

A. MANUFACTURING
1. Namibia Press and Tools (Pty) Ltd 19 214 138 20 3 - - 23
2. Borries Marking Systems (Pty) Ltd 14 560 390 3 1 1 5
3. Namibia Oriental Tobacco CC 10 446 873 3 4 - - 7
SUB-TOTAL: 3 Companies 44 221 400.95 26 8 1 0 35
B. MINERAL PROCESSING
4. NamZinc 7 764 013 010 506 90 16 1 613
5. Dundee Precious Metals (Pty)Ltd 3 203 025 109 617 148 7 - 772
6. Namgem (Pty) Ltd 29 059 918 30 52 - - 82
7. Diacore Diamonds (Namcot ) (Pty) Ltd 18 326 232 31 42 1 - 74
8. Hard Stone Processing (Pty) Ltd 89 633 729 8 16 2 - 26
9. Nu Diamond (Binvis Investments) (Pty) Ltd 18 578 665 16 41 5 1 63
10. Duiker Investments (Almod) (Pty) Ltd 1 145 380 66 81 35 6 188
11. Trau Bros Diamond Namibia (Pty) Ltd 7 826 674 20 17 4 - 41
12. Schachter & Namdar (Pty) Ltd 6 739 117 20 15 1 - 36
13. Ankit Diamond (Crystal) (Pty) Ltd 1 211 821 26 41 12 - 79
14. Morse Investments (Pty) Ltd 3 651 477 - - - - -
15. Pluczenik Diamonds Namibia (Pty) Ltd 4 385 869 31 54 8 - 93
16. DYS Diamond Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd 178 252 27 55 23 - 105
17. Imerys Gecko Graphite Namibia (Pty) Ltd 429 636 000 82 15 2 - 99
18. SKY Investment (Pty) Ltd 969 508 6 12 17 - 35
SUB-TOTAL: 15 Companies 11 578 380 761 1 486 679 133 8 2 306
C. ASSEMBLY OPERATIONS
19. Transvehco (Pty) Ltd 23 636 601 2 2 - - 4
SUB-TOTAL: 1 company 23 636 601 2 2 - - 4
GRAND TOTAL: 19 COMPANIES 11 646 238 763 1 514 689 134 8 2 345

Minister Alweendo urges mining
sector to invest in exploration
Mines and Energy Minister, Hon. Tom Alweendo
M “For example, it is not

ines and Energy Minister, Hon. The Namibian mining sector is one of the
Tom Alweendo wants the country’s key sectors, contributing about
country’s mining sector to invest helpful when it takes 12.5% to GDP and targeted to reach 15.2%
in geological mapping, so that Namibia by 2022. Mineral exports, which include
can be better represented in the mineral an inordinate long time diamonds, copper, lead, zinc, gold and
resources sector. uranium, generated N$23 billion in the
for us to finalise the 2017/2018 financial year.
Alweendo says without an improved processing of licensing
geological mapping, it will be difficult for Hon. Alweendo says it goes without
Namibia to attract investment for mineral applications. It will be saying that there is need to take good care
exploration. of the mining sector, given the impact it
self-defeating when has on the Namibian economy at large.
“Without exploration, no new mines can
be discovered. Fortunately the emerging
we impose impractical “This high contribution to our economy
geological mapping technology has licensing conditions; suggests that for the foreseeable future
made it possible to obtain accurate the economy will be dominated by the
mineral resource assessment,” he says. or when our policies mining sector. We need to be pragmatic in
Minister Alweendo also wants the
Namibian mining sector to periodically
are unpredictable the management of the mining sector. We
need to ensure that the mineral resources
review its mineral licensing legal thereby creating policy are utilised to the benefit of both the
framework, in order to ensure that it investors and the state,” he says.
continues to be competitive in attracting uncertainties,” the
both local and foreign investment.
Minister says.

The Namibian mining sector generated N$23 billion in the 2017/2018 financial year
Namibia’s mining sector presents several Beneficiation is an attempt to diversify The CoM says the outlook for the
value addition opportunities, as this is away from simple commodities, foster Namibian mining industry is positive with
currently still limited to diamonds, cutting industrialisation (a driver of growth) several new players targeting a larger
and polishing of semi-precious stones, through structural transformation, and array of minerals. These developments
copper smelting, electrolytic production reduce high unemployment as a result of are expected to widen the opportunities
of special high grade zinc, and the the creation of new local industries. for investment, and broadening of the
production of table and fine salt. value chain. The surge in prices for
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia (CoM) lithium, graphite, rare earths, cobalt and
Most of Namibia’s minerals are currently echoes Minister Alweendo’s sentiments among others, is being driven by electric
exported in their raw form. According and says, growth in the mining sector will vehicles and renewable energy storage
to the fifth National Development Plan only come through a fertile and conducive technologies, and expected to bode well
(NDP5), Namibia aims to move from simply environment for exploration, leading to for exploration activities in Namibia.
mining activity to mining and processing the creation of new mines.
minerals and materials by 2022. The most notable projects to date
The CoM further states that, “the continued have been Desert Lion lithium project
For Namibia, beneficiation is a logical success of the mining industry will depend near Karibib, Gecko Opuwo Cobalt
process that promotes industrialisation on the competitiveness of Namibia, as project, Namibia Rare Earths projects,
and generate significant economic an attractive investment destination for and the Namib Lead and Zinc mine
growth, which in turn should reduce exploration and mining” and has urged near Swakopmund, which is currently
poverty and inequality in the country. the need for new policy proposals and progressing with mine development.
expediting licensing matters.

Walvis Bay Port ready to
metamorphose into SADC’s Gateway
W competitiveness of our
ith construction work on the new
Walvis Bay container terminal
nearing completion, port users port and route,” says
are gearing up for this new terminal to be
commissioned in the second half of 2019. Veiga.
Chairperson of the Walvis Bay Port Users Willie Prosser, Chairman of the Container
Association (WBPUA), Pillar Veiga, says that Liners Operators Forum (CLOF), says the
the industry is eagerly awaiting the new capacity increase will allow for increased
upgraded Walvis Bay port facility. productivity and efficiency, making Walvis
Bay a more attractive trans-shipment hub
and gateway into the region.
“There is much to do
In 2018, cargo volumes at Walvis Bay
and adjustments to be increased by 15%, a positive indication of
made, to accommodate increased cargo flow through the port. On
Outgoing NamPort CEO Bisey Uirab
completion, the port of Walvis Bay’s new
the new infrastructure. modern container terminal is expected to
increase the container handling capacity improvement, construction of the
We look forward to from the current 355,000 twenty-foot retaining wall and storm barrier, paving,
installing of essential services, electrical
the new digitalised equivalent units (TEUs) to up to 1,005,000
TEUs. feed, new quay wall, the construction of
systems and equipment, Construction work at the new terminal the new administration block, workshop
space, new jetty for passenger liners and
has included dredging works, land
which will raise the reclamation, surface or ground the new marina with its storm barrier.

Cargo volumes at the Walvis Bay Port increased by 15% in 2018
Already, the Namibia Ports Authority of our trade corridors, namely: Trans- Zimbabwe on a lease basis.
(NamPort) has spent N$440 million Kalahari Corridor, Walvis Bay-Ndola-
acquiring four state-of-the-art, ship-to- Lubumbashi Corridor, Trans-Kunene and Angola is equally a significant trade
shore cranes aimed at enhancing port the Trans-Orange Corridor going into partner at regional level, both in terms of
efficiency and to meet the demands of South Africa. Hence, the signing of a transit cargo through the port of Walvis
container handling at the new terminal. tripartite agreement between Namibia, Bay and through Namibia’s northern town
These cranes will ensure faster turnaround Botswana and South Africa, in terms of of Oshikango, as well as in regards to trans-
for ships, thus minimizing congestion at the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, in which these shipments from Walvis Bay to Luanda.
the port. three governments commit to ensure
that trade along this corridor is facilitated NamPort has also been exploring the
Southern Africa landlocked countries smoothly as possible,” he says. possibility of a Public Private Partnership
of Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe (PPP), to maximise benefits for the port
are key market targets for the Walvis He says the port of Walvis Bay was being of Walvis Bay. Uirab said during a recent
Bay Port. It’s regularly used by the three upgraded to a level where it can compete courtesy call to the port by the Mayor of
neighbouring countries who have since for clients, with the regional powerhouse Kingston, Delroy Williams that Jamaica has
completed construction of dry-docking ports of Durban in South Africa and Beira agreed to explore this possibility and its
facilities that will be used to temporarily in Mozambique. benefits to Namibia.
hold cargo. The countries were allocated
land by the Namibian authorities as part The expansion of the port of Walvis Bay Jamaica has become a role-model for
of consolidating the mutual benefits and is expected to create major economic several countries around the world since it
bilateral ties between Namibia and the spinoffs for Namibia and make the country implemented its PPP policy in 2012, which
neighbours. a regional transport and logistics hub, a saw the country completing five major
goal which the Government made a key projects, three of them in renewables,
However, outgoing NamPort Chief pillar of development in its developmental with a total investment value of about
Executive Officer Bisey Uirab says the plans. N$16 billion.
target market will not be limited to the
three landlocked neighbours. “We aim Namibia’s ports are designed and Jamaica also entered into a PPP for
to serve the over 300 million people in strategically located to not only serve Kingston Freeport Terminals Limited, an
the region (SADC), as we develop these Namibia, but the region’s hinterland and affiliate of French shipping company CMA
facilities. Equally, it is for this reason that was for this reason that Dry Port Facilities CGM, for 30 years.
we are also promoting the development were allocated to Botswana, Zambia and

SADC pushes industrialisation agenda
Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Chair of the SADC Council of Ministers
I
ndustrialisation remains a key priority Development and Youth Empowerment be on the implementation of the SADC
for the Southern African Development for Sustainable Development”, would Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap,
Community (SADC) hence its resolve contribute immensely to the efforts as complemented by the Regional
to continue establishing mechanisms towards infrastructure development in Infrastructure Development Master Plan.
through which industrial development the region in order to ensure regional
can be realised. connectivity, and the empowerment of
the youth, who are the future generation. SADC Chairperson
This was emphasised by Hon. Netumbo
Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister The SADC Council of Ministers noted
and President of the
and Minister of International Relations the progress on the implementation Republic of Namibia,
and Cooperation and Chair of the SADC of the Industrialisation Strategy and
Council of Ministers, during the regional Roadmap (2015-2063) which is built Dr Hage G. Geingob
ministers meeting held in Windhoek on
15 March.
on four pillars namely: Industrialisation,
Competitiveness, Regional Integration,
has said time had
and Cross-cutting issues; and noted come for SADC to take
“The review of our flagship strategy, that an updated progress report on
the Regional Indicative Strategic the implementation of the SADC a great leap forward
Development Plan (RISDP) is one of Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap
the ways through which the region will be submitted to its meeting in August by harnessing the
would promote new and better ways of
accomplishing our goals and objectives,”
2019 after consideration by the Ministerial
Task Force (MTF) on Regional Economic
opportunities provided
said Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah. Integration in June 2019. by regional value
The SADC Council of Ministers Chair For the 2019/20 Financial Year, SADC chains and the Fourth
said implementation of the 38th SADC
Summit theme, “Promoting Infrastructure
Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena
Lawrence Tax said major focus would
Industrial Revolution.

SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax (left) and Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
The 38th SADC Summit theme, lead to sustainable growth. The decades SADC is now exploring pragmatic policies
President Geingob said, attests to SADC’s of reforms, however, did not translate needed to take the region to the next
commitment towards taking the agenda into development of a vibrant industrial level of industrial development, and
of industrialisation forward, and the need sector that would serve as the engine for how we can get there in the shortest
for the youth to be at the centre of the sustainable economic growth. time possible, given the international
region’s agenda. governance environment and the region’s
“SADC can no longer remain passive in competitive advantage.
The development and transformation of the quest for industrialisation. As a region
the manufacturing sector forms one of we must therefore pursue the objective of To this end SADC has launched the
the priority intervention areas in the SADC being great in this sector. Expectations for Integrated Institutional Capacity Building
Revised Indicative Strategy Development Africa’s industrialisation have fallen below (IICB) programme aimed at enhancing the
Plan 2015-2020, as well as the SADC targets as most countries remain on the capacity of national structures of SADC
Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap. margins of industrialisation. Member States and the Secretariat to
facilitate and co-ordinate implementation
Southern African countries like the rest This is exemplified in the very low and of regional programmes as identified in
of Africa, embarked on the long road to declining shares of their Manufacturing the SADC RISDP.
industrialise their economies right from Value Added (MVA) in GDP, and in their
independence. Reforms were introduced low MVA per capita which lag well below The IICB aims to ensure the development
in the 80s and further deepened in the country averages for developing of member states to effectively deliver
the 90s through structural adjustment countries,” says SADC Secretariat Director on the SADC Agenda. It aims to ensure
programmes (liberalisation, deregulation of Industrial Development and Trade, sectoral coordination for industrialisation,
and privatisation), with the aim of injecting Tapiwa Samanga. agriculture and infrastructure
competition and dynamisms that would development.

Orange River Irrigation Project
seeks private partners
T
he Agricultural Business Development
Agency (AgriBusDev), a State-owned
company tasked with overseeing
government Green Scheme projects, is
seeking private investors to develop the
Orange River Irrigation Project (ORIP) at
Aussenkehr.
AgriBusDev Managing Director, Petrus

Uugwanga, told Invest Namibia Journal
that the company would put out a
public tender for companies interested in Table grapes at the Orange River Irrigation Project
partnering with the government entity on
ORIP. The Orange River Irrigation Project is have been put into production at ORIP. private investor to further develop the
a Green Scheme project that produces table project,” Uugwanga said.
grapes, dates and various vegetables such “We are going to test the market to see if
as butternuts, pumpkins, watermelons, we can get a partner to fully develop the In 2018 exports of table grapes from ORIP
tomatoes and onions. However, the project Orange River Irrigation Project. A tender decreased by 31 per cent due to a lack of
is currently operating below par due to lack will go out soon,” he said. Uugwanga said adequate finances to access the needed
of funds to access fertilisers and the other Namibian investors were free to enter inputs and chemicals. The ORIP is one
necessary chemicals and inputs. into partnership with foreign companies of the 11 green schemes managed and
as long as they remained the majority overseen by the agency.
Uugwanga said the private investor will shareholder in the joint-venture. “We have
be expected to develop the 600 hectares consulted the Ministry of Agriculture, Water The other government green schemes are
to generate the much-needed revenue for and Forestry and the AgriBusDev board, situated in the Omusati, Kavango East and
the company. Currently only 156 hectares and they have approved us acquiring a West, Zambezi and Hardap regions.
Your Global RoRo Specialist
Think RoRo Think NMT
24 NMT International Namibia (Pty) INVEST

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Bay, Namibia 1 | MARCH 2019
Tel: +264 64 205 300 | Email: namibia@nmtshipping.com | Website: wwwnmtshipping.com
TransKalahari Railway Project inches closer
TransNamib CEO Johny Smith (left) and his Botswana Railways counterpart Leonard Musa Makwinja signing the MoU
A
new container terminal will soon project, linking the two countries by rail. Gobabis, by rail in order to conveniently
be built at Gobabis, the eastern serve markets, including Botswana,
town of Namibia, following an Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
agreement between the two state-owned “The future of
rail companies, TransNamib Holdings Ltd,
and Botswana Railways (BR).
railways offers many The TransKalahari Corridor (TKC) has
been identified to hold the potential to
opportunities,” said unlock significant commerce and trade
TransNamib and Botswana Railways opportunities for Namibia and Botswana.
recently signed a Memorandum of Smith during the The TKC is a tripartite trans-boundary
Understanding (MoU) in Gaborone,
Botswana, which will culminate in the
signing ceremony. Corridor Management Institution, which
was established with a political and
development and operation of a container economic vision to pursue or contribute
The cooperation between the two
terminal at Gobabis. towards deeper regional integration
countries is also expected to facilitate
programmes of the Southern African
the opening of import and export
The MoU, signed by TransNamib Chief Development Community (SADC).
opportunities, and to unlock value on
Executive Officer, Johny Smith, and his
the TransKalahari route. The MoU serves
Botswana counterpart Leonard Musa It is envisaged that this will be achieved
as a short to medium-term partnership,
Makwinja, signals the beginning of a by linking the port of Walvis Bay to the
to connect the two rail companies via a
fruitful and beneficial relationship to port of Maputo on the east coast of Africa.
rail and road intermodal service between
develop and enhance trade between the The TKC further connects highways of
Namibia and Botswana.
two countries. Namibia, commencing at the Port of
Walvis Bay through Kanye and Lobatse,
The intermodal linkage from Walvis
The agreement between TransNamib in Botswana to South Africa, mainly to
Bay to Gobabis will reduce the road
and Botswana Railways is also seen as the industrial heartland of the greater
transportation return trip with about 1
a catalyst towards the development of Gauteng.
200 km. The alternative is that goods can
the planned Trans Kalahari Railway (TKR)
be moved from the Port of Walvis Bay to

Hon. Tjekero Tweya, Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development Minister Indian High Commissioner to Namibia, H.E. Prashant Agrawal
India to boost economic ties with Namibia

I
ndia is moving to grow its investment “Boosting investment and economic India’s ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), acquired
and economic ties with Namibia, ties remains our common high priority. a 15% stake in an oil block in Namibia’s
incoming High Commissioner to There is significant Indian investment in offshore Block 2012A from Tullow Oil of
Namibia, H.E. Prashant Agrawal says. the mining sector here, and we would United Kingdom. This was OVL’s second
be happy to enhance it further. We acquisition in Namibia. Earlier, OVL
Namibia has witnessed a steady surge of were privileged to have Honourable had acquired 30% stake in Namibia’s
investments by Indian companies in the Minister for Industrialisation, Trade and Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 37,
country. These include: (i) In May 2010, SME Development, Hon. Tjekero Tweya, covering three offshore blocks, also from
Vedanta Resources of India acquired during his recent visit to India, where he Tullow.
Skorpion Zinc Mine for US$750 million represented Namibia at the 9th Vibrant
(about N$10, 5 billion) from Anglo- Gujarat Global Summit. We explored how The High Commissioner said there was
American Zinc. Skorpion Zinc mine, we can boost our economic ties further. immense potential for partnership growth
located 25km north of Rosh Pinah in the // In this effort, partners such as the India- in the agriculture sector, in particular
Kharas Region of southern Namibia, is the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and irrigation, mining infrastructure, logistics,
largest integrated zinc operation in Africa; Industry have provided valuable support,” railway upgrade, power distribution, as
and (ii) Indian GPT Group of Companies said H.E. Agrawal. well as in the health sector. India is a world
invested N$18.75 million in a joint venture leader in the provision of affordable health
with TransNamib, Namibia’s rail and road services and pharmaceutical products.
transport parastatal for the production of On the renewable
concrete sleepers. energy front, one of Bilateral trade between Namibia and
India, though small, have been increasing
Indian firms have also invested in the the world’s leading over the years. Bilateral trade during 2017-
Namibian energy, agriculture (irrigation) 18 was US$106.06 million (about N$1, 48
and health sectors. solar power companies, billion), with India’s imports from Namibia
Speaking to Invest Namibia Journal, H.E.

Sterling Wilson from at US$62.20 million (about N$870.8
million). Namibian rough diamonds arrive
Agrawal said Namibia occupies a very India recently executed in India via London and Antwerp and do
special place in the heart of India and not get reflected in the bilateral trade
that the Indian Technical and Economic a 45 megawatt solar figures.
Cooperation (ITEC) programme had
produced Namibian alumni who serve plant in Mariental, in the Other notable Economic and Commercial
in prominent positions in the public and
private sectors.
Hardap Region. activities between Namibia and India
include the establishment of the India-

Indian agricultural experts, Ranjit Patil and Prasad Kokate, have helped bring
latest irrigation and farming technologies to Namibia to produce bounty of
fruits, flowers and vegetables in the middle of desert near Swakopmund
Namibia Chamber of Commerce and development, agriculture and
Industry (INCCI) in September 2016. This manufacturing sectors.
was soon followed by a 15-member Indian
delegation from the Electronics and The Summit is a biennial event organised
Computer Software Export Promotion by the State of Gujarat since 2003, with
Council (ESC) to Namibia. Furthermore, the primary purpose to connect India to
19 Namibian companies participated in the global market.
India-South Africa Business Summit held
in Johannesburg, South Africa in April,
2018. In July 2018, a delegation from the The summit was
Federation of Indian Granite and Stone
Industry (FIGSI) visited Namibia.
another platform for
global leaders and
In his address at the Vibrant Gujarati
Global Summit, Hon. Tweya appealed to industries to discuss
potential investors from India to come
to Namibia, and explore the immense
opportunities for
available opportunities in diverse sectors strategic partnerships,
such as energy, manufacturing, health,
tourism, agro-processing and blue trade and investments
economy.
between India and the
He said Namibia is developing a special
economic zones framework that would
African continent.
offer excellent incentives for foreign
direct investment. The India-Namibia Chamber of Commerce
and Industry also sent a delegation to
Hon. Tweya also affirmed that bilateral Delhi to attend the India-Africa CII Exim
trade between Namibia and India has Bank Conclave from March 17-19, 2018,
been on the increase, with several where specific trade and investment
Indian companies showing an appetite projects were scheduled to be discussed.
for the Namibian mining, infrastructure

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Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development. We have been in existence since 2011 and we offer a
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aluminium and roof sheeting, which in total covers an area of 7,300 square meters.
Our products cover factories, houses and removable offices and Nami aims at providing
good-quality, fast and easy-installation prefabricated houses and uplifting the living conditions of
Namibians.
Nami Prefabricated Housing CC has different factories for different products, for example EPS is
Expanded Polystyrene, and the sheets are commonly packaged as rigid panels, which are also known
as ‘bead-board’. Heating, cooling and cutting technologies are applied during the process and
different machines, like pre-expander, moulding and foam cutting machines are used. All our
technologies and products have passed the evaluation standard from the U.S. Underwrites
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prefabricated houses are of higher quality, more cost efficient, fast and durable, most importantly,
they can be custom-made. Therefore it is low cost, fast and convenient for local people.
We have completed several projects for the Ministry of Safety and Security, Nampol Charge Office
Accommodation (covering an area of 500 square meters), a clinic for the NYS Training Center
(covering an area of 700 square meters) at Henties Bay, staff accommodation, entertainment room
and canteen (in total covering an area of 855 square meters) for the Dam Project near Keetmanshoop
and 45 removable guardrooms for the Ministry of Safety and Security. We have also completed a
Steel Structure factory for Outjo farm (covering an area of 1600 square meters), as well as courtrooms
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Chinese investment in Husab mine is one of the largest in Africa
Chinese companies step up

investments in Namibia
C
hina continues to find Namibia creating up to 11 000 indirect and direct With its huge investment, China General
an attractive investment market jobs in the country. Nuclear Power Group (CGN), aims to build
with companies from that country Notable among China’s recent Husab into a world-class mine. Husab
investing billions of dollars, mainly in the investments in Namibia is the US$4.7 already operates with a giant mining fleet,
mining, construction, stone processing billion (about N$65 billion) invested into high standard automation processing
and cement sectors. the Husab Uranium Project, one of the system, advanced technology of digital
largest Chinese investment in Africa, control and IT system.
In addition, bilateral trade between the N$350 million invested in Walvis
Namibia and China has been on the Bay-based BC Stone Products and US$7 “We aim to implement a win-win
increase, reaching US$800 million (about million (about N$98 million) in Nami strategy by which Husab mine can grow
N$11, 2 billion) in 2018, statistics provided Prefabricated Housing. sustainably so as to provide sustained
by the Chinese embassy in Windhoek support to Namibian industries and the
indicate. Namibia’s exports to China stand Husab Uranium Mine people’s wellbeing. Because of the long
at about US$500 million (about N$7 lifecycle of Husab mine, China will remain
billion), recording a year-on-year increase The development of Husab mine is in this partnership for at least 30 years,” the
of 68.2%. envisaged to fuel the clean energy mine said in a written response to Invest
initiative in China and at the same time Namibia Journal.
According to the Embassy’s statistics, boost the Namibian economy as a whole.
Chinese companies have contributed Namibia is rich in uranium resources, with “Husab has contributed a total amount of
N$250 million in tax revenue to the Husab being the biggest uranium deposit N$1.2 billion in tax revenue to Namibia,
Namibian government since 2016, while discovered to date. including royalties, withholding tax, PAYE

Some of Nami Prefabricated Housing products
and other taxes. Husab mine will boost Namibians make up the vast majority marble resources, but marketing remains
Namibia’s GDP growth by about 5 percent (97%), Chinese nationals (2%) and other key to making the industry successful,” the
and increase the country’s export volume expatriates (1%). company says.
by about 20 percent, making Namibia
the third largest uranium producer in BC Stone Products Nami Prefabricated Housing
the world when it reaches nameplate
production,” the mine said further. BC Stone Products (Namibia) is a Nami Prefabricated Housing is a Chinese
dimension stone mining, processing manufacturing company that has been
and marketing company which was inexistence in Namibia since 2011. It has a
Husab’s current established in 2014. The factory is part complete set of production line, including
annual average of the Chinese international corporation,
Best Cheer Stone Group.
prefabricated wall panels, affiliated steel
structure, aluminium and roof sheeting.
procurement value
BC Stone Products, which has trained and Gu Di, the General Manager of Nami
is between US$400 employs 300 Namibians, says its aim is to Prefabricated Housing, told INJ that the
million and US$500 use Namibian stone resources to process
and produce locally and to provide high-
company’s products are used to cover
factories, houses and mobile offices. “The
million, of which local quality stone products for the Southern high quality prefabricated houses built by our
African market and beyond. company can go a long way in alleviating the
procurement of goods housing shortage.
The company’s stone products are used
and services amounts for applications on walls, floors, kitchen We have completed several projects related
to over 65% of the total counter tops, to name but a few uses. to this, like five removable check points of
the Ministry of Safety and Security in 2013,
procurement value. “Our Vision for the future is to build a Nampol Charge Office accommodation and
complete ‘proudly made in Namibia’ a clinic for the National Youth Service Training
Currently Husab has a staff complement dimension stone Industry logistic supply Center at Henties Bay, and our customers are
of more than 1,700 employees, of which chain. Namibia has abundant granite and satisfied with our products,” says Gu Di.

Scalability a key to manufacturing success
– Development Bank CEO
The Peugeot assembly plant at Walvis Bay
S
calable manufacturing and The primary barriers to setting up a
assembly operations can be manufacturing business though are
a lucrative basis for investor costs of establishment and market
success, says Development Bank of penetration. In order to reduce the cost
Namibia (DBN) Chief Executive Officer of establishment aimed at multiple
Martin Inkumbi. countries, Inkumbi advocates for
smaller but scalable operations at start-
As proof of this, he points to the up. These reduce the initial cost outlays,
commissioning of the Peugeot and but also enable the manufacturer to
Opel assembly plant in Walvis Bay late grow on the basis of demand.
last year. Use of Walvis Bay as a point
of entry to the SADC region is a clear “The success of a manufacturing
indication that Namibia holds potential operation is typically based on the size
for manufacturers. at the time of evaluation, rather than
the size at the time of inception, so the
Although Namibia is a small market, view of a successful operation is biased
Inkumbi says, excellent access and not reflective of its beginnings. By
to a diversified spread of SADC penetrating with a small to mid-sized
neighbours, and the benefits of the operation, the manufacturer reduces
African Continental Free Trade Area risk to its capital structure and returns to
(AfCFTA) and SACU place the country ongoing operations in larger territories,
high on the shortlist of locations for but still has a basis for larger scale
manufacturers. operations as a result of materialisation
of growth strategies,” says Inkumbi.
DBN CEO Martin Inkumbi

The DBN views the manufacturing sector as a driver of economic activity and employment for Namibia
Once the manufacturer is confident of the penetration pricing and promotion. be granted a grace period on interest,
sustainability of the business operation in capital or both in order to accommodate
a single country, the business can then be Talking about the Development Bank’s set-up and reach breakeven.
scaled-up to reach new markets on the approach to financing for manufacturers
basis of its own resources and / or infusions in Namibia, led by parent companies Inkumbi goes on to say that the DBN
of capital from the parent operation. in other territories, Inkumbi confirms is interested in long-term relationships
that the Bank can provide finance for that span the growth trajectory of the
manufacturing start-ups that are locally enterprise. He points out that as the
By starting small registered, but with shares held by parent enterprise grows and matures, it will
at inception of companies in other territories. The Bank
will also finance the participation of local
require additional finance. DBN has
engaged in multiple financing deals over
the operation, the shareholders in such companies. the years with larger Namibian companies,
and these have been provided on the
manufacturer creates Inkumbi says, DBN recognises the value of basis of sustainable growth. However, he
capacity to pioneer and the owner’s contribution to establishment
and operating costs. A 30% owners’ equity
notes that the Bank’s single obligor limit is
N$350 million.
adapt the new business contribution is ideal, while the Bank can
provide the 70% debt funding. Collateral, Inkumbi says DBN has earned itself a
without major costs. he explains, can be provided in the form reputation as a first-stop for manufacturing
of assets financed and guarantees from start-ups. The Bank’s doors are open for
The scalable approach reduces risk in the parent companies. business, and it is able to assess each
various aspects of market penetration, application for finance on an individual
such as cross-border market development, The aforementioned financing structure is basis.
inventory efficiency, distribution channels, in the best interest of sustainability of the
adjustment of supply, price adjustment, project. Depending on need, projects may

GIPF primes digital transformation
and innovation
T The GIPF caters for a
he Government Institutions Pension lasting confidence in our members and
Fund (GIPF) is embarking on a digital stakeholders, we need to address the
transformation initiative that seeks growing membership challenges they face, such as access to
to not only increase automation, but also services at their convenience as well as
to introduce user-friendly applications to base, which currently poor internet connection in some parts
enhance the convenience for members in of the country, which makes it difficult to
accessing and sharing information.
stands at over connect to GIPF systems.
135 000 in the form
Goms Menettè, Chairman of the GIPF “To further augment our efforts to
Board of Trustees has highlighted that of active members improve stakeholder engagement, we
through the Fund’s ambitious Business will enhance our outreach programme
Process Improvement (BPI) project, which and annuitants, which using our ‘Pension on Wheels Mobile Van’,
was commenced by the Operations
department late last year.
demand nothing less to reach our members, especially those
residing in remote areas of Namibia. In
than the highest level of doing so, the Fund will ensure that all
The Fund seeks to use this innovation to members have access to our services.
improve service delivery, particularly on service delivery. Our outreach programme has proven to
turnaround times for benefit pay outs that be very successful, and in the future, we
have come under criticism lately. “Our digital drive has the aim of securing wish to acquire more vans to reach more
significant operational efficiencies across members,” Menettè further explained.
the Fund’s entire service supply chain.
Through the BPI project, we will stream-line In the next five years the GIPF, whose
business processes, reduce potential risks, total assets under management are now
increase the pace of service delivery, and about N$113 billion, has vowed to take
minimise processing errors. The Fund has considerable steps to become a leading
also invested in various initiatives aimed and model pension fund in the global
at improving our Information Systems (IS) arena. This is in line with GIPF’s newly
capabilities and processes, and enhancing adopted five-year strategic plan, which
our information technology governance came into effect on April 1, 2018 and will
practices,” Menettè said. run until 2023.
He said through the operations system, GIPF Chief Executive Officer, David
GIPF aims to “drive digital transformation Nuyoma says, that the Fund acknowledges
and innovation.” the tremendous improvement within
its operational department but, wants
Invest Namibia Journal understands that to note that we have not reached our
the recently unveiled new GIPF office ultimate goal yet. It is a journey and not an
in Eenhana has been integrated into event. Amidst the strides we have taken to
PepLink POC. A solution which will get where we are today, we strive to pay
enhance network connectivity, out funeral claims within 12 hours as we
resulting in increased know how difficult losing a loved one is.
productivity, and file sharing
editing opportunities for A current interest is the death benefit of
documents amongst GIPF which as per the Pension Funds Act 24
colleagues from all over of 1956, the turnaround time for a death
the country, at the claim is a twelve (12) month waiting period
touch of a button. if everything is submitted. “The Fund is
fully aware that waiting for 12 months is
M e n e t t è not acceptable. The suffering endured
stated that during this period cannot be condoned.
GIPF Board of Trustees Chairman as GIPF, we It is against this background that one of
Goms Menettè continuously the strategic deliverables is to pay death
strive to build benefits within three months with a

The GIPF Head Office in Windhoek
provision to keep a certain portion within Recognising this, Usko Nghaamwa,

the Fund for the untraced beneficiaries. Governor of Ohangwena region recently
We are working tirelessly to ensure that expressed confidence in the GIPF’s
we are well within the allocated period housing efforts in his region.
and it is our wish to see this timeframe
decrease so that our grieving beneficiaries “I am happy to learn that the GIPF has
maintain their livelihood even in the invested N$17.4 million in housing
absence of their breadwinners,” GIPF CEO development, which will ultimately have
said recently. 271 residential houses aimed at low and
medium income groups.
GIPF, through its This development in Ohangwena will

unlisted investments, greatly contribute towards housing
shortage in this region. I therefore, would
has also been like to congratulate GIPF on these efforts,
and appeal to them to continue to
implementing some develop this Region, as my vision is to see
of the Harambee more of my people owning houses in our
country,” Nghaamwa said.
Prosperity Plan
pillars, such as
social progression,
infrastructure
development and
service delivery, by
availing housing and
servicing land for its GIPF CEO
members. David Nuyoma

Namibia’s Eco-Sanitary
enters reusable pads market
From left: Leandri van der Walt, from INET Networking and Consulting Services; Trade, Industrialisation and SME Development Minister Hon. Tjekero Tweya; Naomi
Kefas, Eco-Sanitary Trading Managing Director; and John Mackenzie Oosthuizen from INET Networking at the launch of Eco-Sanitary Trading
H
aving spent two years in research is perfect in quality, fits well and is also of the funding for the plant came through
and development activities, which perfect for the pocket,” Kefas highlights. the fishing rights awarded to the company
included travelling to South Africa, she founded known as Cassidra Fisheries.
Kenya, India and China at own cost to With an initial investment of over N$3.5
come up with a new sanitary pad. Eco- million, Eco Sanitary Trading, which already
Sanitary Trading has entered the reusable employs 15 Namibians, recently launched At the sanitary wear
and disposable pads manufacturing
sector, setting sights on producing
its production plant with a capacity to
produce 1 400 sanitary pads daily, which
production plant Kefas
affordable quality pads of different sizes. are washable to suit the needs of school hopes that within a
going children.
Motivated by the fact that hundreds year of full production
of girls in Namibia, especially those in
remote and disadvantaged communities,
Kefas further highlights that, Eco-Sanitary
Trading has a competitive advantage
capacity, 45 people
fail to attend school when they are due to the fact that its product is locally could be employed and
menstruating, Naomi Kefas, the managing produced, of good quality, affordable, has
director of Eco-Sanitary Trading says this better absorption and provides dryness. double shifts might be
realisation brought about the idea of The ISO 9001 machine used to produce
setting up a factory that would bring a the reusable pads was acquired towards required when demand
difference. the end of 2018, from own resources and
with assistance from the Development
exceeds supply, which
Kefas notes that her company’s sanitary Bank of Namibia and also through grants. will further raise
wear is affordable for greater accessibility At the launch of the production plant
by less privileged Namibians. “Our product, recently, Kefas thanked Ministry of employment to about
Perfect Fit, is true to its brand name as it Fisheries and Marine Resources, as some 95 employees.

Hon. Tjekero Tweya with the employees of Eco-Sanitary Nam
“This is an amazing initiative to be will also be distributed countrywide to Himarwa’s project launched in 2017,
embraced by all Namibians, as a way of retail businesses. which is aimed at helping more than
achieving the Harambee Prosperity Plan 5,000 girls from low-income households
and NDP 5 goal. The support can come to access sanitary wear every month.
in various ways such as, procurement Hon. Tweya, further
of local products, retailers stocking
our products and for the ministries
encouraged the Hon. Hanse-Himarwa said, the struggle
to afford sanitary protection was a reality
and corporates getting involved in our business community among the less privileged Namibians,
outreach programmes,” Kefas says. adding that studies had shown that if
to play its part in a girl is provided with sanitary towels,
Speaking at the factory launch Minister
of Trade, Industrialisation and SME
helping people from her chances of staying in school are 30
percent to 50 percent higher.
Development, Hon. Tjekero Tweya, said underprivileged
it was a remarkable breakthrough to “Although not widely reported, this
see a Namibian business producing backgrounds, through problem can impact negatively on a girl’s
commodities, such as these for local confidence and concentration levels at
consumption, and most importantly, for donations of the school, and even drop out all together,”
the bigger export markets. sanitary pads and not Hon. Hanse-Himarwa said.
“We should look at the more cost benefit just stocking their retail Education statistics show that, over 2,200
in terms of job creation, as well as the children dropped out of school in one year,
cash that will be circulating once the shops. with the highest number being girls from
production is in operation,” Tweya said, rural areas, as a result of long distances
adding that apart from the jobs created The initiative by Eco Sanitary follows to schools, illnesses, pregnancies and
from Eco-Sanitary Trading, the product Education Minister, Hon. Katrina Hanse- disabilities.

Fabupharm bolsters
pharmaceutical manufacturing
One of the production lines at the Otjiwarongo-based Fabupharm pharmaceutical company
F “For 2019, Fabupharm

abupharm, Namibia’s only
pharmaceutical manufacturer, has In 2016, the company partnered with EOS
continued to grow steadily and will will move more focus Capital, a major equity firm in Namibia.
this year target increased exports and The capital injection obtained from
extend services to new markets such as on export. We have the partnership allowed Fabupharm to
Zambia and West Africa. expand its operations and manufacture a
the advantage of wider product range. Improved facilities
Speaking to Invest Namibia Journal, the strategically being and equipment also meant the company
Otjiwarongo-based firm’s Chief Operating can export and potentially expand its
Officer, Fanie Badenhorst (Junior) closer to West African market share across Africa.
highlighted that although Fabupharm
exports increased significantly including markets than the far- “The investment EOS Capital made
exports to Swaziland,
Mozambique, Angola and Ghana in
Botswana, east suppliers. We are enabled us to buy new equipment and
expand our product ranges. We also
2018, the firms’ public sector growth has also closer to Angola upgraded the facility to comply more for
declined. export markets,” Badenhorst affirmed.
and Zambia than South-
“Locally we had a 9% growth in private
market, but 35% decline in public sector.
Africa,” he said. As a result of the newly acquired
equipment and improved facilities, the
Our growth in private market was mostly company introduced a number of new
As a growth strategy that will help increase
from new products developed. In total products to the private and public market.
visibility of Namibian products beyond
Fabupharm will hopefully end at negative The new products included antibiotic
borders, Fabupharm has registered its
8.75%, that I do not see so bad under tablets, called Fabu-Azithromycin 500mg,
products in neighbouring countries
Namibia’s economic situation. Suplimax Study Aid, Suplimax Heart Care,
like Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana,
Suplimax Urinary Care & Blood purifier and
Mozambique and Mauritius.
Suplimax Cholesterol Care. Fabupharm

Fabupharm will look to expand its product portfolio this year
also introduced the Desert Sun Spray tablet), the VitaKidz immune booster syrup also foreign private label manufacturers
range in SPF 30 and SPF 50, and the Ideal for children and Suplimax Moringa Tablets. using Namibian brand names,” Badenhorst
Baby product line. stated in view of factors that are
“Furthermore we are in the process of influencing growth in the pharmaceutical
According to a research report by Frost trying to get some generic products manufacturing sector locally.
& Sullivan, the pharmaceutical market registered at the Namibia Medicine
in Africa is expected to reach a business Control Council, that we will also locally Fabupharm uses the latest technology
opportunity of US$45 billion in 2020, manufacture,” Badenhorst noted. and appoints the best employees,
propelled by a convergence of changing ensuring compliance with the Namibian
economic profiles, rapid urbanisation, Notably, two years ago Fabupharm Medical Regulatory Commission’s
increased healthcare spending and registered its first antibiotic as a tablet in (NMRC) standards and requirements. The
investment, and rising incidence of Namibia, and subsequently signed an NMRC issued the Good Manufacturing
chronic lifestyle diseases. Considering the agreement with an international medical Practice (GMP) license to Fabupharm in
research results, it is well worth noting that company, to distribute and deliver the 2014. Obtaining a GMP license means
Fabupharm’s growth potential remains product to all physicians and pharmacies Fabupharm conforms to stringent World
intact. in the country. In a few years to come, Health Organisation (WHO) standards,
Fabupharm may start manufacturing which are required to manufacture
Badenhorst further revealed, that the antibiotic tablets by itself. It hopes pharmaceutical products.
Fabupharm was working to release to export the product to other African
three new products in the market, which countries in the near future. “Fabupharm has the potential to uplift the
include generic products that will be profile of the Namibian manufacturing
manufactured locally. “Our biggest challenge is that we must sector, which has been dominated by
“There are three new products that will compete on our own local market international players for so long,” EOS
be on the market soon. These are the against foreign products, which are being Capital Executive Chairman, Johannes
MVA plus tablets (Multivitamin, mineral, imported in bulk and then repackaged !Gawaxab said after signing a partnership
antioxidant and probiotics combination into local company brand names. There are agreement with Fabupharm.

Retail Charter pushes consumption of
Namibian products
T
he implementation of the
Namibian Retail Charter has so
far exceeded its 20% shelving
target for local products, and more
products were being looked at with
the view to get them into the retail
chains.
Whilst growth in the

retail sector was a
key feature of the
Fourth National
Development
Plan (NDP4),
which targeted a
20% increase in
the shelving of
Namibian products
on retail shelves.
The Retail Charter was formulated
as a blueprint that will allow
Namibia to have a realistic chance
of achieving this goal, and provide
a positive turning point to the
nation’s quest for ‘Growth at Home’.
Speaking to Invest Namibia Journal,

Sharlene Isaacs, Communication
and Liaison Officer at the
Namibia Trade Forum, said the
implementation of the charter
had exceeded NTF’s expectations,
and that more sectors were now
being targeted to bring more local
products to the retail chains.
“Initially we had a target to put 20%

of Namibian products in the retail
chains but we have exceeded that
and we have added another 15%
and so now we are on 35%.
The retail charter has afforded Namibian products shelf life in retail outlets

“We are also now in the process of trying “Our partners on a regional level as well, discuss retail product requirements for the
to get clothing in the retail stores. We are are also looking to source from the region, stores in Namibia,” Godfrey said.
negotiating with the retail association for which makes it much easier and cheaper “Trading arrangements are negotiated on
clothing and apparel sector,” Isaacs said. further aiding us. The policy is progressing behalf of our retailers and, once in place,
well and to further make it vibrant we are retailers are encouraged to support them
now working on our barcode that will by placing orders directly with these
The charter entails assist our local products to a greater deal.” suppliers for direct delivery.”
aspects such as “The voluntary nature of the Retail Charter
has afforded some local products to be “Spar manages the financial administration
sourcing from local shelved, however it is a process that takes on behalf of the retailers, thereby also
a while. It being a voluntary charter, I giving the suppliers further financial
manufacturers, must say that the industry and the private security of payment,” added Godfrey.
increased awareness sector in particular has really supported
us since inception. They drove the charter Pick n Pay, which has 38 stores in Namibia,
and demand for local and without them, I don’t think it would has franchise partners that actively seek
have made any progress. They had to put out Namibian products. “Our franchise
goods, training and ideas together, to see how they can equip MD in Namibia is the chairman of the
some of our SMEs and source from them,” Retail Charter Council and we work
mentoring of previously explained Isaacs. constructively with government and
disadvantaged Some South African retailers supplying
communities, wherever we operate,” said
David North, group executive for strategy
Namibians, support products to Namibia, have been abiding and corporate affairs.
by the Retail Charter even though it is a
programmes for Small voluntary exercise. North said that in Namibia, Pick n Pay buys
and Medium Enterprises In 2018, Mark Godfrey, group financial
as much local products, as it can obtain
particularly meat, fruit and vegetables.
(SMEs), as well as director at Spar highlighted that,
independent retailers connected with In trying to get more Namibian products
opportunities for local Spar are able to source up to 70% of their on the shelves, Isaacs also highlighted
ownership and control. product requirements from local suppliers
or manufacturers in Namibia.
that the current challenge is that
production costs in Namibia are very high.
Even though Namibia has some products
Isaacs added that the Retail Charter will
Spar’s sourcing is done by the group’s on the shelves, these products are priced
achieve majority of its goals, as awareness
Namibian buying office in Windhoek. higher due to the high cost of production
exists in most big retailers, who are buying
“Suppliers see them on a regular basis and inputs.
into the policy.

Developing Namibia brick by brick
I
n 2015, Standard Bank in collaboration with the Shack Dwellers
Federation of Namibia answered the national call to provide
decent housing to families in the low-to-no income group, an
initiative that has so far seen over 400 families benefiting.
This important national project has not only given hope of a

better future to these families who lacked adequate finance to
buy or rent houses, but it has also made some strides in finding a
viable and lasting solution to the housing shortage in the country.
Lack of decent housing continues to be one of the most
contentious issues in Namibia with the national housing backlog
estimated at more than 100,000, a number which continues to
grow by 3700 every year.
During its first year, the Buy-A-Brick initiative raised an impressive

N$1.4 million, which was used to build 44 homes in Rehoboth for
members of the federation. The following year, N$2 million was
raised and used to build houses in Berseba, Otjinene and Havana
in Windhoek.
So far, together with donations from partners and the broader

Namibian public, Standard Bank and the Shack Dwellers
Federation of Namibia have managed to raise over N$17.1
million, including N$10 million that was jointly sponsored by MTC
and Huawei last November.
Through this sponsorship, an

additional 250 houses will be
constructed with each house
receiving a router, making
connectivity a reality for families that
have only dreamt of connecting to
the outside world.
This unprecedented contribution by MTC and Huawei is evidence
that efforts by Standard Bank Namibia and the Shack Dwellers
Federation of Namibia in raising public consciousness about the
plight of the poor, as it pertains to the provision of decent basic
housing, is bearing fruit.
Through the Buy-A-Brick initiative, Standard Bank and the Shack

Dwellers Federation not only raise money or receive donations
from the public and the corporate world, but also looks at
raising awareness about the need to provide support to this well
organised and managed organisation responsible for facilitating
Magreth Mengo, Head of Marketing, Communications and CSI

Some Buy-a-Brick houses nearing completion
the provision of affordable housing to

more Namibians.
building and the duration of construction.
“Since 2015, when we first launched the
Huawei and others
Buy-a-Brick Initiative, very few people is an indication that
Standard Bank, the Shack Dwellers would have predicted that this project
Federation and other corporate partners would evolve into this national initiative they would like to take
are brick by brick improving the living that is now making a significant difference
conditions of communities as well as in the lives of many ordinary Namibians,”
this initiative further
driving the growth of Namibia through Magreth Mengo Head of Marketing, through joint efforts.
housing. Communications and CSI said.
“It is also a realisation that housing plays
Plans are in place to delineate the initiative
from the bank to allow for more corporate She said the positive an integral role in the development of
Namibia.
participation. In this regard, a Buy-A
Brick steering committee would soon be
response received thus
No country can claim to be moving forward
established with a view to mobilise funds far from the corporate when the vast majority of its citizens
and finding alternative building methods continue to live in shacks,” Mengo added.
that would help in reducing the cost of world led by MTC,

This is not
a brick
This is the beginning of hope.
The promise of shelter,
warmth and safety.
This is your chance to contribute
to a better Namibia.
The Standard Bank Buy-a-Brick initiative contributes funds to the Shack

Dwellers Federation of Namibia in order to provide brick homes for thousands
of low- to no-income Namibians, and erase shacks from the country.
You can donate with just N$5.
Send a Direct Deposit to Standard Bank Buy a Brick, Acc. No.: 60001469613.

FOUNDERS: Naftal Shailemo, Richard Chambula and Sacky Amutenya (co-founders of Buy Online Namibia)
Pick n Pay Namibia embraces technology,

launches online service
P
ick n Pay (PnP) Namibia, a subsidiary PnP Namibia Managing Director, Norbert appointments to drive this movement,”
of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group Wurm, stressed on the fast evolving digital said Wurm.
has launched its online store, which world, and that embracing and forming
will enable consumers to shop from the part of the evolution is the only way to PnP Namibia Marketing Manager, Victoria
comfort of their homes. avoid being left behind. Moller said the online service was met
with great excitement during its pilot
“One very noticeable and rapidly growing phase, and has since gone viral.
The PnP Namibia Online aspect of the digital sphere, is online
Store commenced its shopping which is slowly but surely also
enjoying steady growth in Namibia. Digital
International customers cash in
pilot phase in October transformation has played a significant “We even have customers from overseas
role in keeping the O&L purpose alive, and that makes use of the PnP Namibia
2018, to test the site stimulating our vision of being the most online store to purchase groceries and
and its compatibility. progressive and inspiring company. have it delivered to their families here in
Windhoek. Online shopping is definitely
The store has since While more still needs to be done to the future in Namibia. It offers our
embrace this new and exciting era of customers the convenience of shopping
then already accrued communication, we are inspired by from their home or office and basically
the group’s communication that has gives you more time for things more
more than 600 online adapted to, and embraced digitalization important,” Moller said.
customers. which is evident in the number of key

The founders of the online service
providers are four young Namibians that
identified the need to take shopping
to the next level in Namibia. Sacky
Amutenya, first created the service in early
2015, which went live in May later that
year. In June 2016, he was joined by Iyaloo
Nekundi, Richard Chambula, and Naftal
Shailemo, and together they created
the company, Four Clicks E-Commerce
Trading as Buy Online Namibia.
“The journey of Buy Online Namibia was

not easy, we had many challenges that
faced us on this path of shaping the to supporting local businesses in PnP Online store,” he said.
service, but we made it. And after knocking contribution to building the Namibian
on several retailers’ doors to get on board economy and ‘Growth at Home’. Currently the PnP Namibia online store
and make use of our service, PnP Namibia service at www.buyonline.com.na is
was the first retailer that embraced our “PnP Namibia firmly believes in, and lives only available in Windhoek. However,
idea and decided to take us up on the the O&L purpose of ‘Creating a future, according to Moller, plans are to expand it
challenge. PnP Namibia’s support and enhancing life’. Part of how we achieve this to other parts of Namibia. The online store
acquiring of our service brings hope to is through supporting local businesses presently offers over 1300 products while
Business Namibia, and especially to local and entrepreneurs, and to give them the rest of the list is being upgraded. The
entrepreneurs,” said an elated Amutenya. access to the markets by either listing prices on the site are the same as prices
their products and services with PnP or by in-store. Customers only pay an extra
Wurm said PnP Namibia, and the O&L joining forces, to provide Namibians with delivery fee that is based on their location
Group as a whole, was committed new and innovative initiatives such as the in, and around Windhoek.

Desert Fruit Namibia scoops
UAE Khalifa Award
Kevin van den Nieuwenhuijzen, representative of the Shareholders of Desert Fruit, receives the award from H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan,
Minister of Tolerance of UAE and President of the Awards Board of Trustees
D the market in a unique

esert Fruit Namibia (DFN) has towards upgrading the agricultural sector
been awarded a Khalifa award, and date palm tree.
namely the award for pioneering window when the
development and production. Managing Director of DFN, Seth Holmes
was delighted and humbled by the award
traditional northern
The award, which DFN shares with SAHAM and enthused: “We are proud of work Hemisphere producers
Agriculture of Morocco, recognises
Desert Fruit Namibia for its invaluable
done by DFN and the recognition for
the company and Namibia as a whole.
are out of production.
contribution to the Date agricultural This international reward highlights Desert Fruit harvests
sector, with special emphasis on the high
quality, tonnage and variety that Desert
our efforts of planting, harvesting and
exporting dates as well as the work we
date from late January
Fruit produces and the fact that all of this do in the community. Desert Fruit has to the end of April
is achieved in the Southern Hemisphere. also been recognised as a contributor to
the local community and plays an active
providing a steady
According to H.H. Sheikh Nahayan role in the community of Ariamsvlei, and stream of fresh and
Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance
and President of the Award’s Board of
the community of the farm, focusing on
the health, safety and education of our
naturally dried dates
Trustees, the Khalifa International Award people.” to the international
for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation
has been established in recognition of
market.
the outstanding efforts and contributions Desert Fruit Namibia Advances in Varietals which are only grown
made by both individuals and institutions
in the field of agricultural innovation is distinctly positioned by a select few growers in the Southern
and date palm and to encourage and to provide dates to Hemisphere add to the attraction of the
DFN product.
motivate them to exert further efforts

Air Namibia teams up with KwaZulu
-Natal to promote reciprocal tourism
N
ational air carrier, Air Namibia, has
joined forces with the province of
KwaZulu-Natal, in neighbouring
South Africa, to promote reciprocal
tourism between the two countries.
Air Namibia launched flights between

Windhoek and Durban (South Africa), via
Gaborone (Botswana) in October 2016,
following a comprehensive route network
development review done. The route was
initially operated using the Embraer Jet
(ERJ135) aircraft with 37 economy seats
and with four flights per week.
However, barely six months after

introducing the Windhoek-Gaborone-
Durban route, Air Namibia increased
capacity to 112 seats, using the Airbus
A319, due to increased demand.
Air Namibia further

increased flight
frequencies to six
times a week on the
Windhoek–Gaborone–
Durban route effective
25 September 2018,
and to seven flights Juanita Klassen, Air Namibia’s Manager for General Sales Agents, Minenhle Mhlongo, Tourism
KwaZulu-Natal Regional Coordinator for Africa, and Air Namibia Marketing Executive
per week effective 28 Hellena Kapiya-Nathinge
October 2018. and South African travellers. General Sales Agents (GSA) and Offline
Markets said the airline’s increment in
Realising the potential that the increase in
“The Zulu Kingdom has a lot to offer to the capacity for the Durban route, will meet
the frequency and number of flights has
Namibian business and leisure traveller. the growing demand of passengers flying
for the promotion of tourism between
Namibia on the other hand also has a with Air Namibia.
Windhoek and Durban, authorities
lot to offer the South African business
from the Zulu Kingdom have stepped
and leisure traveller. That’s why we have “We thank all our loyal industry
up their campaign to lure more leisure
teamed up with Air Namibia to promote stakeholders, including the tour operators,
and business travellers to KZN. While,
tourism in our destinations,” said Minenhle travel agents and the flying public for
Air Namibia wants to see more leisure
Mhlongo, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal supporting the Namibia national airline.
travellers from that province visiting
Regional Coordinator for Africa, during a Air Namibia continues to create easy
Namibia’s tourist attractions.
promotional tour to Namibia at the end of access to the Land of the Brave; positively
February 2019. contributing to our business growth and
The two entities have now teamed up and
increasing our footprint on the African
have roped in a number of travel agencies,
Juanita Klassen, Air Namibia’s Manager for Continent and beyond,” she said.
to work on tourism packages for Namibian

Mayor of Walvis Bay, Alderman Immanuel Wilfried (left), with NBL MD Wessie van der Westhuizen after unveiling the plaque to officially open the new depot
Namibia Breweries invests in new

depot at the Coast
N “Health and safety
amibia Breweries Limited (NBL), deteriorating condition of the former
a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & depot in Swakopmund resulted in safety
List Group (O&L), has invested concerns, and posed major health and precautions are critical
N$27 million in the construction of new safety risks for our employees, customers
distribution depot at Walvis Bay. The new and clients. This thus led us to identifying
to the future of any
depot, which was officially opened on a new location, and ultimately the organization. These are
6 February 2019, will service the central construction of this beautiful new facility,”
coastal areas. said van der Westhuizen. elements that should
be taken seriously
NBL Managing Director, Wessie van der The property that was used in
Westhuizen, said the new depot was a Swakopmund for NBL distribution and nurtured through
manifestation of the brewery’s vision of services used to serve as the Old Hansa appreciation for both
being the most progressive and inspiring Breweries until 2003 when the facility was
company in Namibia. closed. After which NBL continued to use the employee and
“The relocation of the former coastal depot
it for warehousing, administration and
distribution services.
the customer, for our
from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay speaks Van der Westhuizen expressed excitement employees are our most
directly to our passion and commitment
of ‘creating amazing experiences with
and pride over the new depot, saying that
employees can now enjoy a pleasant and
valued assets,” said van
enduring impact’ for our customers. The safe working environment. der Westhuizen.

His Worship, the Mayor Alderman Immanuel Wilfried and NBL MD Wessie van F.L.T.R - Hennie van der Merwe, Project Engineer of the new NBL Coastal
der Westhuizen having a toast to the new NBL coastal depot. Depot; Mayor Immanuel Wilfried; NBL MD Wessie van der Westhuizen, and
chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, Hafeni Ndemula.
Walvis Bay Mayor, Alderman Immanuel Namibian economy. This would include well as it is a constant reminder of the
Wilfried, who officially launched the new job creation, empowerment of our people, responsibility that lies with each, and
NBL depot, spoke highly of the positive upliftment of our communities, as well every one of us to own the fight against
impact NBL and the O&L Group makes on as the general growth of our economy,” poverty. We need to commit ourselves
the Namibian people and the economy. Mayor Wilfried said. to the growth of our nation, not only
through words, but very consistently
“In total, NBL employs close to 800 The Mayor further encouraged Private through practical actions.
Namibians, while the O&L Group at large Public Partnerships (PPP), to collaborate in
has a total employment of more than order to combat the social and economic The new depot is a significant contribution
6000 employees. This speaks volumes with challenges of the country. to development and investment at
regards to the contribution the O&L Group “Therefore the O&L purpose ‘Creating the Namibian coast,” Alderman Wilfried
at large, and NBL in particular makes to the a future, enhancing life’ resonates very concluded.
Walvis Bay Mayor Immanuel Wilfried pouring the first beer at the new NBL
coastal depot.
NBL’s new coastal depot officially opened

Pick n Pay strides towards
environmental friendliness
Pick n Pay’s environmentally-friendly N$5 bag
E
nvironmentally conscious shoppers stores across the region, Durban North
will be glad to note that retail chain, Hypermarket, as well as five stores in
Pick n Pay (PnP) Namibia is on the
“It also speaks to PnP Namibia,” she said.
verge of trialling an environmentally- Namibia’s dedication Around five trillion pieces of plastic are
friendly N$5 bag, as an affordable reusable believed to be floating around the world’s
alternative to plastic carrier bags among to preserving the oceans. Experts fear that the total weight
a host of innovative initiatives aimed at Namibian environment of plastic in our oceans could outweigh
increasing environmental friendliness. fish by 2050.
and contributing to
The new budget bag is made from green a better future of the In June, the PnP franchise announced
recycled plastic bottles, and has already focused initiatives to reduce plastic waste
been introduced in the South African retail planet, for generations across our operations, including the
chain store to gauge customer reaction.
The retailer introduced a reusable bag in
to come,” Moller said. introduction of 100 percent recyclable
plastic bags. The replacement of plastic
2003 and has since offered shoppers a There has been overwhelming feedback straws with paper straws, reducing the
number of alternatives, including cotton to date with the bags set to be availed in plastic packaging in a range of own-
bags. Namibia, Moller stated. brand products, and providing free plastic
collection from online customers.
Speaking to the Journal, PnP Namibia “Launched in five stores across the
Marketing Manager Victoria Moller said Western Cape in South Africa at the end PnP has also introduced recycled material
that these developments speak directly of December 2018, overwhelmingly in a range of its own-brand products.
to the vision matrix of the O&L Group, of positive feedback from customers will Containers of dishwashing liquids and all-
which PnP is a subsidiary of reducing its see PnP expand the trial to include more purpose cleaners now include a minimum
carbon footprint. of 25 percent recycled material, while

The world is moving towards the eradication of disposable plastic shopping bags
carbonated soft drink bottles include a Furthermore, plastic straws will no longer waste management, and recycling
minimum of 20 percent recycled material. be provided at checkouts in any of its systems to tackle environmental issues
stores. These will be replaced with paper with the launch of the country’s very first
The plastic punnets used in the packaging straws which will only be available at the ‘Green Directory’.
of fresh fruit and vegetables, contain a cold drink kiosks.
minimum of 25 percent recycled material The on-line directory reflects not only
and the use thereof will be rolled out to manufacturers and suppliers of green
more categories.
“Pick n Pay is committed or environmental related products and
to working closely services in the country, but also lists
Asked whether PnP Namibia intends to organisations, that have a vested interest
have the reusable bags manufactured with its customers to in promoting or offer environmentally
in Namibia, Moller noted that with the trial various options in friendly practices.
manner in which the group supports local
manufacturers, it would be something an effort to drive real, Coordinator of the RNF, Anita Witt, said at
worth exploring. long-term sustainable the time that the need for such a central
information service was clear, given the
“This is something we will look into going change, both for the number of enquiries received by the
forward, as it would be really great if we
could have a local entrepreneur taking the
environment and its organisation.
lead to produce the bags locally. PnP and customers,” said Moller, “Although originally intended only
the O&L Group supports local producers,
manufacturers and service providers, and
before adding that the for the waste management industry,
the increasing trend of environmental
would support local provided they meet fruit and vegetable consciousness on so many levels, by not
our standards and requirements,” Moller
said.
bags are durable, long- only individuals but also the corporate
sector, resulted in the decision to expand
lasting and easy to use, the categories to include a larger variety
PnP plans to introduce its own-brand of services and products,” she said.
cotton buds where the plastic inners and if it gets dirty, it can
will be replaced with paper. A bamboo be washed.
toothbrush will be included in the
toiletries range, to provide customers with Last year, the Namibia Recycle Forum
wider choice. (RNF) intensified its quest to improve

Vision 2030 Agenda under spotlight at
MITSMED strategic planning workshop
A group photo of workshop participants
T
he Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade During the Strategic The Directorate of International Trade
and SME Development (MITSMED) reassured participants, that Namibia
held its Ministerial Strategic Workshop, MITSMED remains committed to regional,
Workshop on 7 and 8 March 2019, continental and multilateral economic
highlighted the ministry’s crucial role in
Commercial Counsellors integration, trade facilitation processes
spearheading Namibia’s industrialisation abroad (Addis Ababa, and arrangements through SACU, SADC,
and economic development. the AU, ACP and the WTO.
Berlin, Brussels, Geneva,
Discussions at the two-day workshop New Delhi, Luanda, Paris, In her closing remarks, MITSMED Deputy
focused on the goals of Vision 2030, Minister, Hon. Lucia Iipumbu, highlighted
with the aim of intensifying all efforts to Pretoria and Washington) the importance of teamwork among
concretise Namibia’s main goal to become provided an update on ministerial staff members.
a fully industrialised and knowledge-
based society by 2030. their roles in driving trade “You as an individual should not be a weak
link and collectively may MITSMED not be
To realise this goal, MITSMED has taken
and investment promotion. the weak link in our quest for Namibia’s
cognizance of the need to increasingly development,” she said.
work in tandem with other Ministries, MITSMED regional representatives in the
Offices and Agencies within Government. country also shared experiences and the
The synergies forged between MITSMED, need to rededicate efforts in empowering
the private sector and development SMEs, to enable small businesses to grow
partners need to be strengthened so and make meaningful contribution to the
that the objectives of Vision 2030 can be economy.
realised.

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRIALISATION,
Republic of Namibia
TRADE AND SME DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENTAL BRIEF DESCRIPTION 3. DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE
The Department of Trade and Commerce is responsible
The purpose of this insert is to introduce to you the three for national policies and programmes geared towards the
departments of the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME management, regulation, promotion, development and
Development, briefly describing their different roles and services facilitation of internal trade, commercial and business activities.
offered. The Ministry has three directorates and one department
here with below: The department also deals with international trade activities
such as bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements. The
1. DIRECTORATE OF NAMIBIA INVESTMENT CENTRE department has representative commercial offices in countries
Namibia Investment Centre (NIC) is the country’s official such as Angola (Luanda), Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), Switzerland
investment promotion agency and first port of call for investors. (Geneva) and Belgium (Brussels)
Created under the Foreign Investment Act of 1990, the NIC
is a department within the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade
and SME Development. The overall objective of the centre
is to attract, generate and retain both domestic and foreign
Contact Person
investment to stimulate economic growth and expedite Ms. Maria Pogisho
industrial transformation in Namibia in line with national Director
development objectives. In addition, the centre is responsible of Tel +264 61 283 7239
creating policies and strategies conducive to investment. Email: pogisho@mti.gov.na
NIC offers a variety of services to existing and potential investors,

including the provision of information on incentives, investment
opportunities and the country’s regulatory regime. It is closely
linked to key ministries and stakeholders, and can therefore
help minimise bureaucratic obstacles to pre and post business
establishment.
Contact Person
Ms Patricia Liswaniso
NIC has overseas investment promotion representatives in Acting Director
strategic located countries such as France (Paris), Germany Tel +264 61 283 7297
(Berlin), India (New Delhi), South Africa (Pretoria) and USA Email: pliswaniso@mti.gov.na
(Washington D.C.)
Contact Person
Ms Bernadette Menyah-Artivor 4. DIRECTORATE OF GENERAL SERVICES
Deputy Executive Director This directorate is responsible for the rendering of supportive
Tel +264 61 283 7335 services to the Ministry’s directorates and departments. Its
Email: artivor@mti.gov.na objective is to provide efficient management and utilisation of
human, financial and material resources allocated to the Ministry
for the achievement Ministerial goals.
2. DIRECTORATE OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT It’s also the directorate responsible for the procurement of goods
The Directorate of Industrial Development is responsible for and services required for the effective operation and functioning
evaluating and appraising industrial projects. It renders business of the Ministry and the proper disposal thereof.
support services to entrepreneurs such as feasibility studies,
business plans, Equipment Aid, Research and surveys of potential
development areas and renders support and advice to potential
developers and investors. The Directorate is also engaged in the
production of industrial statistics, and conducts regular censuses Contact Person
of the manufacturing sector. Ms. Hermine Himarua
Acting Director
Tel: +264 61 283 7204
Email: handima@mti.gov.na
Contact Person
Dr. Michael Humavindu
Deputy Executive Director
Tel +264 61 283 7328
humavindu@mti.gov.na

COMMERCIAL COUNSELLORS
C O N TA C T D E TA I L S
Republic of Namibia
Mr. Asser Nashikaku | Commercial Counsellor E-mail: info@namibianembassyusa.org

Email: washington@mirco.gov.na
Embassy of the Republic of Namibia www.namibianembassyusa.org
Bole road W.17, Kebel 19
House No. 002
P.O. Box 1443 Mr. Henock Ramakhutla | Commercial Counsellor
ADDIS ABABA
ETHIOPIA High Commission of the Republic of Namibia
Tel.: +2511-1-6611966/12120 186 Blackwood Street, Arcadia
Fax: +2511-1-6612677 P.O. Box 29806, Sunnyside, 0132, Pretoria
Email: nam.emb@ethionet.et SOUTH AFRICA
Email: addis@mirco.gov.na Phone: +27 12 343 3060
Fax: +27 12 343 8924
Email: comcounsellor@namibia.org.za
Mrs. Bonaventura Hinda | Commercial Counsellor www.namibia.org.za
Embassy of the Republic of Namibia

42, rue Boileau 75016, Paris Dr. Mekondjo Kaapanda-Girnus | Commercial Counsellor
FRANCE
Tel: + 33 1 44 17 32 76/65 Embassy of the Republic of Namibia
Fax: + 33 1 44 17 32 73 Reichsstraße 17
Email: bhinda@embassyofnamibia.fr 14052 Berlin
www.embassyofnamibia.fr GERMANY
Tel +49 30 26 39 0012
Fax +49 30 25 40 9555
Mr. Cleopas S. Sirongo | Commercial Counsellor Email: commerce@namibia-botschaft.de
www.invest-namibia.de
Permanent Mission of Namibia to the United Nations in Geneva
Chemin Louis-Dunant 15, CH-1202 GENEVA
SWITZERLAND Mr. Oscar Sikanda | Commercial Counsellor
Tel.: +41 22 786 62 82
Fax: +41 22 786 62 83 High Commission of the Republic of Namibia
Email: missionofnamibia@bluewin.ch B-9/6 Vasant Vihar
E-mail: sirongo@namibiatradeoffice.ch New Delhi
INDIA
Tel: +91 11 26140389/40890/4772
Ms. Diana Tjiposa | Commercial Counsellor Fax: +91 11 26146120/261 55482
E-mail: nam@nhcdelhi.com
Embassy of the Republic of Namibia Email: newdelhi@mirco.gov.na
Avenue de Tervuren 454 www.nhcdelhi.com
BE 1150 BRUSSELS
BELGIUM
Tel.: +32-2-771 1410 Ms. Julia Mungunda | Commercial Counsellor
Fax: +32-2-771 9689
E-mail: trade@namibiaembassy.be Embassy of the Republic of Namibia
Email: brussels@mirco.gov.na Rua da Liberdade No. 20
Vila Alice
P.O. Box 953
Mr. Freddie U. !Gaoseb | Commercial Counsellor LUANDA
ANGOLA
Embassy of the Republic of Namibia Tel.: +244-222 321 241 / 321 952 / 136
1605 New Hampshire Ave., Fax: +244 - 222 322 008 / 323 848
NW, Washington, DC 20009 E-mail: embnam@ebonet.net
UNITED SATES OF AMERICA Email: luanda@mirco.gov.na
Tel.: +1-202-986-2007 Email: mission.angola@namembangola.com
Fax: +1-202-986-2042

Democratic Republic of Congo
66 million customers
Tanzania
43.7 million
customers
Angola
18.5 million customers
Zambia Mozambique
12.9 million 22.9 million
customers customers
Malawi
15.2 million
customers
Zimbabwe
THE SADC MALL 12.5 million
customers
Botswana
1.95 million
customers
Namibia
2.1 million
customers
South Africa
49.3 million
customers
Africa’s biggest shopping mall. Welcome to the Southern
African Development Community (SADC), one of the largest emerging markets in the world, with
over 330 million consumers and a GDP in excess of US$500 000 billion. Through strategic
partnerships, we can give you the logistical solutions to gain access into this lucrative market via the
Port of Walvis Bay, the obvious hub for trade between Southern Africa and the rest of the world.
Contact us today to discover how easy it is to gain trade access to Africa’s most lucrative and
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WBCG Head Office WBCG South Africa WBCG Zambia WBCG DRC WBCG Brazil
T. +264 61 251 669 T. +27 11 258 8912 T. +260 21 129 4494 T. +322 386 5109 T. +55 11 2655 7301
E. marketing@wbcg.com.na E. bdm@wbcg.co.za E. bdm@wbcgzm.com E. bdm@wbcg.cd E. ricardo@wbcg.com.br
www.wbcg.com.na

FLY AIR NAMIBIA
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enterprises, small SME manufacturers 2 Asset-Backed Finance To acquire movable assets and
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and some of Namibia’s leading
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Invest Namibia Journal, March Issue 2019 (The Independence Issue)

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INVEST

Walvis Bay Port ready to 20

Graphic Design & Layout

3 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

4 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

Ambassador Katjiuanjo is succeeding H.E.

5 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

Interested parties should contact Josephat Mwatotele at Josephat.Mwatotele@Ashburton.com.na or

A part of the FirstRand Namibia Group

6 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

In his address, during the opening of the

Having earlier declared 2019 as the “Year

7 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

Namibian beef will soon be on the shelves of U.S. retailers

8 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

“Even big brother South a more competitive market for C grades

9 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

T progress in the modern

10 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

President Geingob further pointed out that

The ILO report recommends bold

11 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

12 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

“Current focal areas are the development of

A few companies from Kenya have actively

13 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

14 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

“I am thrilled to witness what Namibia and

While Bank Windhoek has confirmed

Vice President Hon. Mbumba called on

He called upon the Ministers of Education,

15 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

Built in an environmentally sensitive

Go on a 5-day wellness retreat to our

Gross Barmen includes facilities for spa

Visit www.nwr.com.na/mice for more details.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US

 +264 61 285 7108 | +264 61 285 7167

16 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

Cumulative EMPLOYMENT LEVEL 2017/18

EPZ Company Name (N$ ) Male Female Male Female TOTAL

17 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

Mines and Energy Minister, Hon. Tom Alweendo

M “For example, it is not

18 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

19 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

20 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

21 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

22 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

23 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

AgriBusDev Managing Director, Petrus

Your Global RoRo Specialist

Think RoRo Think NMT

24 NMT International Namibia (Pty) INVEST

25 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

India to boost economic ties with Namibia

Speaking to Invest Namibia Journal, H.E.

26 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

27 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

Helping ease Namibia’s housing shortage

Chinese companies step up

30 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

31 INVEST NAMIBIA JOURNAL VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2019

+264 61 285 7108 | +264 61 285 7167