Patience Makwele
The Namibia Special Risks Insurance Association (NASRIA) has injected N$25 million into regional economic development, with the funds set to support productive initiatives across all 14 regions.
The contribution was handed over to regional governors in Windhoek on Thursday at a ceremony attended by prime minister Elijah Ngurare and finance minister Ericah Shafudah.
Receiving the contribution on behalf of the government, Ngurare said the funds must translate into tangible economic benefits, including stronger businesses, job creation, improved infrastructure and further investment in regional economies.
“Development plans matter only when they produce visible improvements in people’s lives,” Ngurare said.
He said the contribution comes as the government seeks to build a more diversified and resilient economy, while emphasising that development must respond to the different economic potential and needs of each region.
Ngurare pointed to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s directive that each of Namibia’s 14 regions should have a factory based on what it produces and supplies.
He said several projects are already being developed in line with this approach.
In the Zambezi region, a fruit and beverage agro-processing plant is planned for Katima Mulilo to process locally grown mangoes and other indigenous fruits.
The facility expands an existing University of Namibia food-processing initiative and is expected to reduce food waste, create jobs and add value to produce from local farmers.
In Omusati, a tomato processing plant and feedlot project near Epalela and the Etunda Irrigation Scheme are intended to add value to local crops, reduce post-harvest losses and support small-scale horticulture farmers.
The Etunda Feedlots Project includes feed processing, veterinary services and beef production infrastructure.
In the Omaheke region, an agro-processing plant planned for Otjinene is expected to produce peanut butter, cooking oil and plumpy nuts using locally grown groundnuts and peanuts.
“Each of our 14 regions will have a manufacturing plant unique to what it produces,” Ngurare said.
He urged regional governors to ensure the contribution is directed towards initiatives that respond to real needs, can be implemented effectively and create lasting economic value.
“To the regional governors, I encourage you not only to be ambitious, but also disciplined,” he said.
“The responsibility is now to ensure that this opportunity translates into measurable results and tangible benefits for the people of every region.”
Ngurare said limited public resources meant Government could not carry the burden of development alone, calling for stronger partnerships with institutions within Namibia’s financial system.
“We need partnerships. We need all stakeholders,” he said, describing NASRIA’s contribution as an example of how institutions can support national development priorities beyond their immediate commercial activities.
The initiative is aligned with the government’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which prioritises agriculture, sports, youth empowerment, education and training, creative industries, health and social welfare, and land, housing and sanitation.
Ngurare said the government had mobilised resources around these priorities and their corresponding economic enablers, including mining, energy, oil and gas, tourism, water, fisheries, and transport and logistics.
He urged stakeholders to work together to implement NDP6 and ensure that the contribution produces measurable results for communities across the country.
