“We are too few to be poor.”
— H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia
On 24 April 2025, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered her Maiden State of the Nation Address under the theme:
“Unity in Diversity, Natural Resources Beneficiation and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development.”
Here are some of the key highlights:
Seven Priority Sectors for Socio-Economic Transformation:
1. Agriculture
2. Sports
3. Youth Empowerment
4. Quality Education & Training
5. Creative Industries
6. Quality Health & Social Welfare
7. Land, Housing & Sanitation
Eight Critical Economic Enablers:
• Mining
• Energy
• Oil & Gas
• Tourism
• Agriculture
• Water
• Fisheries
• Transport & Logistics
Economic Outlook & Reforms:
• Projected GDP growth of 4.5% in 2025.
• Corporate tax reduction to 30% in 2025, down to 28% in 2026.
• Strengthened Sovereign Wealth Fund, now at N$450 million.
• Continued fiscal prudence with focus on debt stabilization and deficit reduction.
Education & Youth Empowerment:
• 100% subsidized tertiary education at public universities and TVET centres starting 2026.
• Consolidation of youth-focused grants into a single Youth Fund (N$257 million initial allocation).
• Launch of the National Youth Internship and Apprenticeship Programme.
Housing & Social Protection:
• Target of 10,000 low-cost housing units annually (50,000 over five years).
• Continued expansion of social safety nets, including support to orphans, vulnerable children, and persons with disabilities.
Energy & Industrialization:
• Focus on value addition in mining, oil & gas, and critical minerals.
• First oil production targeted within the shortest timeframe.
• Commitment to harness Namibia’s uranium potential as part of the energy mix.
Good Governance & Anti-Corruption:
• Reinforcement of anti-corruption frameworks through the Whistle-Blower Protection Act, Witness Protection Act, and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
• Call for a collective fight against corruption, echoing Julius Nyerere’s words: “Corruption is an act of treason.”
Foreign Policy & Diplomacy:
• Strong advocacy for multilateralism, peace, and security in the SADC region and beyond.
• Reaffirmation of Namibia’s support for the rights of the people of Western Sahara and Palestine.
• Commitment to economic diplomacy and strategic partnerships.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s message was clear:
Namibia stands ready to unlock its full potential through unity of purpose, accountability, and implementation excellence.