WINDHOEK, May 18 — Namibia is working to become Africa’s manufacturing base through public service reforms and a renewed focus on industrial development, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Natangwe Ithete said on Friday. Speaking at a regional staff meeting in Oshakati, northern Namibia, Ithete said industrialization is central to job creation, economic diversification, and sustainable development. “Industrial development is one of the key components of a truly inclusive economy; hence a strong industrial sector, with competitive manufacturing, agro-processing, and value chain integration, is the backbone of long-term growth, self-sufficiency, and job creation,” he said. Ithete said Namibia will scale up support for industrial parks, special economic zones, and local manufacturing hubs, especially in regions with high unemployment. Small- and medium-sized enterprises will also receive support through improved access to finance, energy, simplified regulations, and market access, he added. Ithete urged staff to help transform the institution into a model for public service delivery to meet the expectations of citizens and investors, saying policy and administrative reforms are already underway to reduce delays in licensing, inspections, and other regulatory processes. He also encouraged increased use of regional trade platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area to export Namibian-made goods.
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