Photo: Contributed
By: Annakleta Haikera
The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has contributed N$1.5 million to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Support Fund.
The contribution adds to other private sector support to strengthen Namibia’s response to the outbreak threatening the livestock sector and thousands of livelihoods.
Receiving the donation, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani, commended the business community for supporting government’s efforts to contain the disease.
“Government cannot shoulder this responsibility alone,” Zaamwani said, urging more businesses and development partners to contribute to the fund.
Namibia recorded FMD outbreaks on 23 September in the Karasburg State Veterinary District in the //Kharas Region and on 7 October at Kalala Island in the Zambezi Region, prompting strict livestock movement and trading restrictions.
Government estimates that N$1.6 billion in revenue could be at risk if restrictions remain in place during the fourth quarter of 2026, including N$1.27 billion from cattle alone.
Namibia earned N$1.1 billion from beef exports in 2025, while the livestock value chain contributed N$7.9 billion to the economy and supported more than 45,000 direct jobs.
NCCI President Vetumbuavi Mungunda said the contribution demonstrated the private sector’s responsibility to protect economic stability and livelihoods.
“When Namibia’s economic stability is threatened, the business community must stand as an active partner in safeguarding national resilience,” Mungunda said.
Ndinelao Hamunime, treasurer of the FMD Support Fund’s Steering Committee, said the fund would help address urgent funding and procurement gaps.
The donation will support disease surveillance, biosecurity, public awareness and equipment for frontline teams. It also includes N$100,000 in seed capital for small-scale meat traders, including kapana sellers.
The Ministry reported that 10,864 cattle were vaccinated in the Zambezi Region between 7 and 13 October, while surveillance of 6,226 cattle found no new cases.
In the //Kharas Region, the outbreak remains confined to Karasburg, with compulsory vaccination underway.
The government has urged farmers to comply with movement restrictions, avoid unauthorised vaccination and report suspected cases.
The NCCI previously mobilised N$14 million during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
annakletahaikera@eaglefm.com.na
