New York — On 22 September 2025, Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, addressed a distinguished audience at the Experience Namibia in New York event, highlighting the transformative potential of Namibia’s cultural and creative industry. The event, organized by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), also engaged the Namibian diaspora to strengthen ties and promote investment in the country’s burgeoning creative sectors.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah opened her address by recalling the enduring legacy of Namibia’s struggle for independence and the importance of cultural preservation. Citing founding President Sam Nujoma’s famous words that “a nation without culture is like a tree without roots,” she emphasized the critical role of storytelling in empowering the youth and shaping Namibia’s future.
The President highlighted Namibia’s significant achievements since independence on March 21, 1990, including leading Africa in investment attraction, media freedom, and gender equality, according to the 2025 Global Gender Gap report. She positioned the creative and cultural industries as vital components of national pride and economic development.
Namibia’s film industry was showcased as a prime example of this vision. Over 60 locally funded films have successfully showcased Namibian culture and landscapes internationally, while global blockbusters like “The Mummy,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” and “Flight of the Phoenix” have filmed in Namibia, underscoring its potential as a world-class film production hub. The recent filming of “Skeleton Coast” featuring Eric Roberts, who attended the event, highlighted Namibia’s growing status on the global film stage.
Under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), the Namibian government has prioritized the creative industry as a national strategic sector. A dedicated budget of 50 million Namibia Dollars (approx. 2.9 million USD) has been allocated for the 2025 National Arts and Creative Industry Awards, reinforcing government support for creative talents.
Central to this vision is the planned Namibia Film and Creative City, which aims to be a state-of-the-art production facility and creative hub. This project will offer comprehensive services, including film facilities, casting agencies, cultural heritage villages, research centers, and spaces for innovation in music, fashion, arts, and design. Preliminary estimates suggest the Film City could generate over USD 10 million in annual economic activity and create thousands of jobs.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah underscored Namibia’s historical and strategic connection with New York City, where crucial partnerships in the fight for independence were forged. She invited international partners to join Namibia in shaping a future of cultural expression, economic growth, and global creative collaboration.
Ending her speech with a call for unity and progress, the President handed over to the CEO of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board to outline the Film City vision in greater detail, a project dear to her since her tenure as Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology.
This event marks a significant milestone in Namibia’s aspiration to position itself as a global leader in the creative industry, merging its rich heritage with modern economic opportunity.
