By: Loise Shiimi
The QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine plans to invest N$10 million in the Usakos SME Park in the Erongo Region.
The initiative is designed to prepare youth and entrepreneurs not only to trade within Namibia, but also to compete in the global economy, where innovation, quality, and adaptability are keys to success.
During the groundbreaking and site handover ceremony for the Usakos SME Park on Thursday, George Botshiwe, Managing Director of QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine, stated that this investment represents a broader commitment to community development and reflects the potential of productive partnerships.
“This serves as a reminder that sustainable development requires more than mere discussion; it necessitates intentional action, the allocation of resources, and unwavering dedication. Navachab Gold Mine is committed to being a genuine development partner for the people of Usakos, the Erongo Region, and Namibia as a whole,” Botshiwe remarked.
He reiterated the mining company’s belief that Namibia’s natural resources ought to be reinvested into the lives of its citizens, especially in the communities within its operational areas and the wider Erongo Region and nation as a whole.
“While we extract gold, we recognise that we are merely custodians of a national resource that belongs to all Namibians. Our responsibility extends beyond extraction; we must translate that value into meaningful and noticeable impact that transforms lives, promotes sustainability, and fosters a brighter future,” he noted.
According to Botshiwe, the Navachab Gold Mine has adopted a clear and intentional strategy to reinvest in local communities through sustainable projects that support national priorities, thereby strengthening the government’s efforts to achieve national development goals and Vision 2030.
He indicated that as responsible corporate citizens, collaboration with the government is pivotal on the journey towards national development and that continued investment with purpose – guided by community needs and national goals – is paramount.
“We will persist in ensuring that Namibia’s natural wealth creates opportunities, dignity, and prosperity for all Namibians,” he added.
In addition to their investment in the SME Park, the company is also in the process of restoring the Usakos fire truck to a serviceable condition, which includes installing a water pump at a cost of over N$1 million.
“We have ordered all the necessary parts, and we expect them to be delivered by 15 December 2025. Our goal is to have the truck operational before the Christmas holidays,” he stated.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, underscored that the establishment of the Usakos SME Park is not merely a construction project, but a deliberate economic intervention aimed at unlocking value chains.
She mentioned it would catalyse small business development, enhance industrial competitiveness, and connect Usakos to regional and global markets.
As global trade continues to evolve due to digitalisation, geopolitical shifts, and changing consumer patterns, she stressed that towns like Usakos must actively position themselves as centres of diversified trade and innovation.
“This SME Park does exactly that. It serves as a hub for cross-border commerce, a breeding ground for youth entrepreneurship, a facilitator of new industries, and a platform where SMEs can enhance their capacity to compete in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Continental Free Trade Area, and beyond,” she remarked.
Ashipala-Musavyi also recognised the contributions of Navachab Gold Mine, stating that their support is not merely an act of corporate social responsibility, rather a strategic investment in the economic ecosystem that sustains both the mine and surrounding communities.
“By supporting the development of the SME Park, Navachab Gold Mine is helping to unlock the multiplier effects that will stimulate local manufacturing, logistics, tourism, retail, and business services. These ripple effects will extend beyond Usakos, benefitting nearby communities such as Karibib, Omaruru, Otjimbingwe, and Arandis, ultimately contributing to Namibia’s GDP growth,” she indicated.
She encouraged strengthened local capacity for SMEs to meet international standards, leverage export opportunities, and integrate into supply chains in sectors such as mining, transport, agriculture, logistics, and digital services.
“The Usakos SME Park is the launching pad for this transformation. It will prepare our youth and entrepreneurs to not only trade within Namibia, but also to compete in the global economy, where innovation, quality, and rapid adaptation are the keys to success. Countries that thrive understand the importance of integrating local industries with global markets,” she stated.
Additionally, she noted that efforts will continue to ensure that infrastructure, such as this park, aligns with Namibia’s long-term strategies for value addition, sustainability, job creation, and increased foreign direct investment.
“This event serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when leadership at the national, regional, local, and traditional levels unites behind a shared vision. It demonstrates what is possible when the private sector, particularly strategic partners like Navachab Gold Mine, recognises that their prosperity is interconnected with the prosperity of surrounding communities,” she added.
