Namibia’s New President Pledges Economic Diversification and Job Creation to Combat Unemployment

Namibia’s newly elected President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has committed to diversifying the economy and tackling the country’s high unemployment rates. In her inaugural address on Friday, she outlined plans to boost investments in the agricultural sector and reduce the nation’s dependence on natural resources.
At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah became Namibia’s first female president following a victory by her SWAPO party in the presidential and parliamentary elections in November. SWAPO has ruled Namibia for more than 30 years, and the country, with a population of around 3 million, has experienced steady economic growth in recent years, largely driven by investments in oil, gas, and green hydrogen. However, Namibia continues to face severe income inequality, ranking high globally in that regard.
In her speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized plans to increase agricultural investments to boost local production and ensure food security. She also vowed to diversify the economy so that citizens can gain greater benefits from the country’s natural resources through added value. This approach, she said, would help create jobs and address the high unemployment rate, particularly among the youth.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also stressed the importance of maintaining ethical standards in public service and fighting corruption. Over the past decade, public support for SWAPO has waned due to concerns about unemployment, inequality, and corruption. The party won 57% of the vote in the November elections, a significant drop from its 87% share in 2014.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several African heads of state, both current and former. Additionally, Namibia’s Supreme Court recently dismissed a legal challenge by opposition parties questioning the legitimacy of the election due to extended voting days and other alleged irregularities.