President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged to speed up Namibia’s oil production, setting out a bold agenda to achieve first production in record time.
Delivering her maiden State of the Nation Address to Parliament on Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah outlined a focused strategy aimed at unlocking the full value of Namibia’s hydrocarbon resources. She committed her administration to accelerating strategic partnerships, simplifying regulatory frameworks, and investing in key infrastructure projects.
“This milestone will not only strengthen our energy independence but will also drive rural and peri-urban electrification, stimulate employment, enhance local skills, and ensure sustainable development for generations to come,” she said.
Namibia, already the world’s third-largest uranium producer, is also eyeing opportunities in nuclear energy. While Nandi-Ndaitwah refrained from setting a timeline for establishing a nuclear power plant, she confirmed that formal discussions would begin during the current financial year.
The president further reported progress on the country’s sovereign wealth initiative. The Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund, established in 2022 with a seed capital of N$262 million, has grown to N$450 million by January 2025. The fund aims to safeguard national wealth for future generations.
On the economic front, Namibia’s GDP growth slowed to 3.8/percent in 2024, down from 4.2/percent the previous year. However, projections indicate a rebound to 4.5/percent in 2025. Government debt remained high at 61/percent of GDP, though Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed confidence that increased economic activity in the coming years would help reduce the burden.
On the social front, the president reaffirmed her administration’s zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence and urged collective action to address the crisis. She expressed sympathy to the family of five-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp, whose killing in Okahandja shocked the nation.
“Namibia must be a safe haven for all citizens and visitors,” she said, calling on the police to intensify visible patrols to curb crime and protect communities.