By: Peneyambeko Jonas
Ohangwena Region has identified 16 anchor investment projects estimated at N$700 million, with the potential to create around 5,000 direct jobs over the coming years.
The figures were announced during the launch of the Ohangwena Regional Investment Map and Action Plan at the Helao Nafidi Business Expo Hall on Friday.
The investment plan is intended to move the region from identifying economic opportunities to attracting capital, developing businesses and creating employment.
Jason Kasuto, Managing Director of Monasa Advisory and Associates, which worked on the Investor Map, said the 16 anchor projects cover sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, tourism and creative industries.
“The Investment Map has identified 16 key anchor projects, with an investment of about N$700 million over the next few years and a direct job impact of about 5,000,” Kasuto said.
He added that the Office of the Governor would help coordinate with different institutions and stakeholders to move the projects from planning into implementation.
AGRICULTURE AND TRADE
Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said the region could no longer depend on potential alone to improve household incomes.
“For many years, we have spoken about the potential of our region. We have spoken about our people, our agricultural potential, our strategic location, our entrepreneurial spirit and our proximity to the important markets of northern Namibia and Angola,” Hamutumwa said.
She said investment must be organised, promoted and financed so that it results in productive economic activity.
The Governor identified agriculture and agro-processing, livestock value addition, logistics and trade, manufacturing, tourism, renewable energy, ICT, property development and youth entrepreneurship as areas where investment could be developed.
She also called for stronger links between investors and local businesses.
Hamutumwa said farmers should be able to supply industries, while small businesses should have opportunities to provide goods and services to larger companies.
The goal, she said, is to create local value chains so that more economic value remains in the region instead of goods being produced elsewhere and brought into Ohangwena.
HELAO NAFIDI AS TRADE GATEWAY
Helao Nafidi was highlighted as a key part of the region’s investment strategy because of its position along one of Namibia’s important trade routes into Angola.
The Governor said the location could support investment in warehousing, distribution, agro-processing, manufacturing, hospitality, tourism and financial services.
The strategy seeks to position Ohangwena not only as a border region but as an economic gateway connecting Namibia with the Angolan market.
Minister in the Presidency Charles Mubita said the identified opportunities must now be turned into actual projects.
“The Investment Map and Action Plan identifies, with clarity and rigour, the bankable opportunities that lie before us,” Mubita said, pointing to agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, renewable energy and the creative economy.
He said the responsibility now lies with stakeholders to prioritise these sectors through resource allocation, skills development and investment promotion.
Mubita stressed that the plan should not remain a document on a shelf.
Its success, he said, should instead be measured by the factories built, farms developed, businesses established, jobs created and services delivered.
The plan is aligned with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and the country’s Vision 2030 objectives.
The immediate economic challenge for Ohangwena should therefore turn the N$700 million project pipeline into real investment, businesses and jobs.
