Sostenus Wilherm
The Namibian government has called on development partners to align their financial and technical support with the country’s Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector (STAS), warning that delays in implementation could undermine efforts to strengthen food security, create jobs and build resilience against climate-related shocks.
Speaking at the STAS Development Partners Network meeting in Windhoek on Monday, minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani said the country had entered the most critical stage of the strategy, where planning must give way to implementation through coordinated investment and clearly defined programmes.
“Following the launch of the STAS and the establishment of its governance and coordination structures, we are now entering the next critical phase of this journey, which is translating the Strategy into a coherent programme with clearly defined priorities, work streams and investment packages,” Zaamwani said.
She stressed that while the government remains committed to the strategy, transforming Namibia’s agri-food sector cannot be achieved by the state alone.
“The government remains fully committed to this agenda. However, the transformation of Namibia’s agri-food sector cannot be achieved by the government alone. Every stakeholder commercial farmer, communal farmers, smallholder producers, agribusinesses, financial institutions, civil society, development partners and academia is a co-creator and co-implementer of this transformation,” she added.
The STAS was launched in November 2024 as Namibia’s blueprint for modernising agriculture, fisheries, water and land management while aligning the sector with the country’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration.
Zaamwani urged development partners to move beyond expressions of support and commit resources towards practical interventions that will accelerate implementation.
“I therefore call upon you, our development partners, to align your support with the priorities of the STAS and join us in mobilising investments, partnerships and technical cooperation required to turn this Strategy into practical actions that will deliver high impact across Namibia’s agri-food sector,” she said.
She added that the strategy is intended to benefit both communal and commercial farmers while strengthening fisheries, aquaculture, equitable land governance and productive land use.
The minister also highlighted the need for climate-smart water management and renewable energy technologies to improve agricultural productivity and lower production costs.
Women and young people, she added, must remain central to the transformation agenda.
“Their meaningful participation across the entire agri-food value chain is essential if we are to unlock the full potential of the sectors,” Zaamwani said.
The minister warned that Namibia could not afford to lose momentum, citing the threat of another El Niño event during the 2026/27 agricultural season and the increasing risk of transboundary animal diseases.
Despite these challenges, Zaamwani said they also present an opportunity to reshape the sector through strategic investment and stronger partnerships.
“This is not only about producing more food, but also about creating jobs, particularly for rural youth and women, strengthening agro-processing and value addition, attracting investment, expanding regional and international market opportunities, and building an agri-food sector that drives inclusive economic growth and lasting prosperity,” she said.
The ministry aims to finalise a draft STAS programming framework within the next few months before convening the Agri-food Sector Assembly ahead of October 2026.
The assembly is expected to provide a platform for development partners to present current and planned interventions, improve coordination and align investments with national priorities.
Acting executive director Petrus-Canisius Nangolo said the networking meeting marked the beginning of a stronger partnership between government and development partners to support implementation of the strategy.
“Given the scale and diversity of Development Partner support, strengthened collaboration is essential to ensure alignment with national priorities, avoid duplication of efforts, improve efficiency and maximise development outcomes and impact,” Nangolo said.
He noted that governance structures, including ten Technical Working Groups and the Agri-food Sector Transformation Group, had already been established to oversee implementation, while the STAS Development Partners Network would serve as a key coordination platform.
Speaking on behalf of development partners, United Nations Resident Coordinator Hopolang Phororo welcomed the government’s efforts to coordinate support under a single national framework.
“We commend the Government of Namibia for its leadership in advancing the Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector (STAS) and for bringing together stakeholders from across Government, the private sector, producer organisations, academia, financial institutions, research institutions and development partners in support of a shared vision for the future of Namibia’s agri-food sector,” Phororo said.
She said development partners were ready to contribute through financing, technical expertise, innovation and policy support while ensuring that assistance remains aligned with Namibia’s priorities.
“Development Partners stand ready to support efforts to strengthen monitoring, knowledge-sharing and results reporting in ways that reinforce Government leadership and existing STAS governance mechanisms,” she said.
Phororo added that the newly established STAS Development Partners Network would play an important role in mobilising investments, identifying collaboration opportunities and ensuring resources are directed towards interventions that strengthen productivity, resilience and inclusive growth across Namibia’s agri-food sector.
