Staff Writer
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for greater financial inclusion, improved financial literacy and broader access to investment opportunities, saying these will be key to the continued development of Namibia’s financial sector.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks during the 30th-anniversary celebration of Namibia Asset Management (NAM) at Droombos.
In an address read on her behalf by finance minister Ericah Shafudah, the President congratulated the company’s board, management, staff and stakeholders on reaching the milestone, describing the anniversary as a testament to resilience, innovation, discipline and trust.
“Thirty years is not merely a measure of time. It is a testament to resilience, discipline, innovation and trust,” the President said.
She noted that Namibia’s asset management industry has evolved from modest beginnings into a key pillar of the economy, helping to mobilize domestic savings, deepen financial markets and support national development through prudent capital allocation.
According to the address, institutions such as NAM play a role that extends beyond generating financial returns by supporting the broader architecture of the country’s financial system and ensuring that Namibian capital is directed toward productive economic activity.
The President observed that the work of asset managers ultimately affects ordinary Namibians, including workers preparing for retirement, families building wealth and individuals seeking long-term financial security.
“Asset managers are not only managing capital. They are safeguarding futures, preserving wealth and helping ordinary citizens participate meaningfully in the economic life of their country,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah credited asset managers with strengthening Namibia’s capital markets through active participation in bond issuances, equity markets and other financial instruments that support both government and private-sector financing needs.
She said these efforts help reduce dependence on external funding while promoting domestic ownership and economic resilience.
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the financial sector to focus on deepening capital markets while ensuring wider participation across all income groups and regions.
The address called for continued innovation in investment products, support for alternative asset classes, and stronger collaboration among government, regulators and industry players.
The President also stressed the importance of financial literacy, describing it as an essential life skill that should be accessible to all Namibians.
“Every Namibian should be empowered with a basic understanding of saving, budgeting, investing and retirement planning,” she said.
