By: David Shoombe
Updates from the launch of the Government Institutions Pension Fund’s Three-year Strategy show that 48% of the Fund’s retirement savings are invested in Namibia.
The Fund has N$213.2 billion in retirement savings.
Most of the retirement savings are invested in listed equities, dominating the asset class of GIPF’s investment with a 43% allocation.
The Chairperson of the GIPF Board Investment Committee, Petrus Nevonga, outlined the investment strategy that the Fund is pursuing, which focuses on strengthening risk management and compliance while investing in high-return opportunities.
Nevonga further highlighted the Fund’s investment diversification strategy, emphasising the importance of safeguarding and protecting stakeholders’ funds while ensuring sustainable growth.
The distribution of GIPF’s investments indicates that 48% of investments are domestically invested, 17% are invested in South Africa, while 27% are in international investments. The other portion includes emerging markets and specific countries such as China.
Investment priorities in terms of asset class include private equities, listed equities, collective investment schemes, and property.
This means that GIPF prioritises investment in shares and stocks of companies that are traded on a recognised stock exchange, such as the Namibian Stock Exchange, Johannesburg Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare stated that the Fund must do more when it comes to investment in local development. He also encouraged the Fund to invest in emerging industries such as oil and gas and the green sector.
Ngurare went on to mention the importance of the implementation of the sixth National Development Plan (NDP 6), which requires collective efforts, notably on the investment front.
The Prime Minister noted that the “NDP 6 has lofty goals and impressive targets. It has 47 focus areas, 80 programmes, and 243 sub-programmes. To implement all these projects by 2030, we need N$506.7 billion. This is not small change. This budget, therefore, needs all of us.”
Economist Epafras Jonas indicated that the growth of GIPF’s assets to over N$200 billion can be a blessing for Namibia if the invested funds are utilised for the benefit of ordinary citizens.
“By keeping billions invested inside the country, GIPF directly funds the local roads, water networks, and energy grids that ordinary citizens rely on every single day,” said Jonas.
Adding that with more domestic investment, the savings can keep the economy stable, creating local jobs and lowering living costs while shielding everyday Namibians from global financial shocks.
The assets under management of the GIPF exceeded Namibia’s Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, which underscores the Fund’s important role in the country’s economy.
