Patience Makwele
Namibia’s creative sector is set for a major government-backed expansion, with a N$17.5 million Local Content Plan expected to create approximately 470 direct jobs and support film production across all 14 regions.
The plan, which was formalised on Monday through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the ministry of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture (MEIYSAC) and the ministry of information and communication technology (MICT), will finance a national soap opera, two limited television series, 14 regional short films and a film production equipment access programme.
The N$17.5 million forms part of a broader N$50 million government allocation towards creative industries programmes.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the National Theatre of Namibia, arts and culture minister Sanet Steenkamp said the investment is intended to build a sustainable creative ecosystem rather than simply finance productions.
“Investments are two fold, investments in productions and investments in people,” Steenkamp said.
Of the N$17.5 million earmarked for the Local Content Plan, N$8.64 million will fund national soap opera production, N$3.38 million will go towards limited television series production, N$3.5 million will support short film production across the 14 regions, N$1.73 million will fund an equipment access and management programme, while N$250 000 is allocated to programme administration, marketing and implementation.
Steenkamp said the investment is expected to create approximately 470 direct employment opportunities, with further beneficiaries expected across the wider creative value chain.
The opportunities will include writers, actors, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, sound technicians, designers and production crews, among others.
“Our objective is therefore not only to support content production but to strengthen a broader creative ecosystem in which Namibians can develop skills, gain experience, create businesses and build sustainable livelihoods,” she said.
The Local Content Plan is also designed to decentralise opportunities, with short film production earmarked for every region.
Steenkamp said creative opportunities should not be concentrated in Windhoek, noting that the country’s regions have diverse histories, cultures, languages and experiences that should form part of Namibia’s national storytelling.
She said local content would allow Namibians to see their communities and realities reflected in the content they consume, while creating opportunities to take Namibian productions into regional and international markets.
The funding will be released in three tranches linked to agreed deliverables and milestones.
Steenkamp said the arrangement is intended to ensure public resources are properly managed and implementation remains focused on measurable results.
“We want to see clear inputs and outputs: productions completed, jobs created, skills developed, equipment made available, enterprises supported and Namibian content reaching audiences,” she said.
From entertainment to economic resource
MICT minister Emma Theofelus said the MOU should be viewed as an economic intervention aimed at turning talent, cultural heritage and intellectual property into sustainable economic value.
“The creative economy is increasingly recognised globally as an important source of jobs, entrepreneurship and export opportunities,” Theofelus said.
She said the partnership aligns with NDP6, which identifies an enhanced and enabled arts and creative industries ecosystem as a national resource for social and economic development.
According to Theofelus, NDP6 targets an increase in the creative industries’ contribution to employment to 2% by 2030 and a 2.8% contribution to GDP through its products and services.
The MOU provides for cooperation in capacity building, information, research and marketing, intellectual property rights protection, accelerator and mentorship programmes, creative entrepreneurship and infrastructure support.
Theofelus said film is particularly strategic because it connects multiple industries, including acting, writing, directing, music, fashion, tourism, hospitality, transport, technology and marketing.
She said strengthening Namibia’s film industry could therefore create opportunities beyond individual productions by developing skills, professional standards and creative enterprises while opening pathways to regional and international markets.
The MICT minister also highlighted the proposed information, research and marketing unit, which is intended to address limited reliable data and market intelligence in the creative sector.
“We cannot effectively develop what we cannot measure,” Theofelus said.
She said reliable data would enable the government and industry to make better decisions, identify investment opportunities and demonstrate the sector’s economic contribution.
Building on existing activity
The government’s push comes as it points to growing economic activity in Namibia’s film sector.
According to figures presented by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia attracted 59 foreign film projects between April 2025 and March 2026, while local filmmakers produced 36 films.
Those productions generated 1 240 temporary jobs, approximately N$18.86 million in earnings for local hires and an estimated N$47 million in economic activity.
The government has also approved Namibia’s first Film and Creative City, which is projected to generate about N$173 million in annual economic activity and create thousands of jobs.
The planned development is expected to incorporate production facilities, casting agencies, accommodation and hospitality services, as well as skills development, internships and on-the-job training.
The new MOU forms part of this broader effort to develop the infrastructure, skills and market opportunities needed to establish Namibia’s creative sector as a commercially viable industry.
The Namibia Film Commission and the directorate of arts will serve as the competent authorities responsible for implementing the MOU, while a technical committee will be established to guide and monitor implementation.
The agreement also provides for longer-term cooperation, including possible regional creative hubs or arts and culture centres, ICT support for creative activities and events, entrepreneurship, mentorship, research and marketing.
Theofelus said the government cannot build the creative economy alone, calling for coordinated action between the government, creative practitioners, financiers, educational institutions, the private sector and international partners.
“Namibia must no longer view creativity simply as entertainment but a creative economic resource,” she said.
“Our stories are intellectual property with the potential to create jobs, generate income and promote Namibia to the world.”
Steenkamp said the signing should mark the beginning of implementation rather than the conclusion of the process.
“The signing of an MOU must ultimately lead to action,” she said.
“We want to see these commitments translated into productions, employment opportunities, skills development, stronger creative enterprises and greater visibility for Namibian content.”
