NIPDB pushes regions to pitch for investment
Proactive
Namibia's regions take charge: NIPDB's bold investment pitch
Namibia is redefining its approach to foreign investment by empowering regions like Erongo, home to nine of the country’s 26 operational mines, to pitch their unique strengths, said Nangula Uaandja, CEO of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).Speaking at a recent Ministry of Trade and International Relations event in the Erongo Region, Uaandja urged regional leaders to proactively showcase opportunities in sectors such as mining, renewable energy and agriculture, signalling a bold shift aimed at attracting global capital and driving sustainable economic growth.
The Erongo Region is Namibia’s mining powerhouse, hosting nine of the country’s 26 operational mines. These include uranium mines such as Husab, Rössing and Langer Heinrich; tin from the Uis Mine; gold from QKR Navachab and Osino Resources’ Twin Hills project; and critical minerals such as lithium, tantalum and zinc.
“We are not proactively finding out what Namibia is good at, what we can do, and then inviting [foreign investors] to invest in certain sectors. We want the Erongo Region to say, ‘This is our profile, this is what we have as Erongo, and therefore we invite an investor to come and partner with us’,” Uaandja said.
Driving investment
Investors were doing what Namibians were currently not doing to drive investment in Namibia, she noted. “We need to proactively direct foreign investment. Currently, foreign investors come to Namibia and find their own projects, she said.
According to Uaandja, there is also a need to identify specific projects for regions that are not currently attracting investment.
She said that there are four regions that have no investment opportunities in the pipeline and that this should be addressed as a matter of urgency. "My first task is to engage them to find opportunities in their regions so that investment can come their way,” she said.
In its 2024/2025 investor catalogue, the NIPDB positions Namibia’s abundant natural resources as a wealth of opportunity across sectors such as mining, renewable energy, and agriculture.
“Namibia is investing heavily in education, skills development and entrepreneurship. This focus is forging a highly skilled, linguistically diverse and globally competent workforce, ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy,” the NIPDB said.
“Furthermore, the country’s political and economic resilience, commitment to human development, abundance of natural resources, and strategic location make it an attractive destination for both individuals and businesses seeking growth, opportunity and adventure,” it added.