WINDHOEK, March 21 – Namibia’s newly inaugurated President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has outlined an ambitious plan to diversify the nation’s economy and tackle the country’s growing unemployment crisis. In her inaugural address, the 72-year-old leader vowed to increase investment in agriculture, shift away from the current resource-dependent model, and boost domestic food production.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, who made history as Namibia’s first female president, assumed office after her party, SWAPO, secured a victory in the November elections. While the country has experienced solid economic growth in recent years, driven largely by oil, gas, and green hydrogen investments, unemployment remains high, especially among the youth. According to World Bank data, Namibia also suffers from one of the world’s highest levels of income inequality.
“We will focus on expanding the agricultural sector to improve production and ensure food security for our citizens,” Nandi-Ndaitwah declared. “At the same time, we will work on diversifying the economy, so that Namibians can fully benefit from the country’s natural resources through value-added industries.” She emphasized that economic diversification is crucial to creating job opportunities for the nation’s unemployed youth.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also touched on the importance of integrity within government and a firm commitment to combat corruption, areas where SWAPO has faced increasing criticism over the years. The party, which has ruled Namibia for over 30 years, saw a decline in public support during the past decade, with accusations of corruption and the growing divide between the rich and poor. In November, SWAPO secured just 57% of the vote, a sharp decline from the 87% it won in 2014.
The president’s swearing-in ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including both current and former African leaders. Her tenure began shortly after Namibia’s Supreme Court dismissed a legal challenge to the election results, brought forward by opposition parties who raised concerns over the voting process.
