Namibia turns to private sector for development funding

Namibia has called on development partners to move beyond traditional financial assistance and help mobilise private-sector investment, as the country faces development needs and limited resources.

National Planning Commission (NPC) Director General Kaire Mbuende made the call through the Executive Director yesterday at the 2026 Joint Development Partners Forum in Windhoek, saying partnerships must help close funding gaps and support inclusive economic growth.

Mbuende said Namibia was mindful of reducing official development assistance, but global geopolitical pressures and limited fiscal space meant the country could not rely on government funding and traditional aid alone.

“We are mindful of reducing ODI. But the paradox is also that fiscal spaces are limited by global geopolitics. Hence, partnerships must also extend to unlock private sector capital mobilisation,” he said.

He said development partners should include the private sector, financial institutions, civil society organisations and academia, to mobilise resources, share knowledge and accelerate development priorities.

The forum was held under the theme “Harnessing Emerging Economic Opportunities for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth” and brought together government, diplomats, agencies, businesses and stakeholders.

Mbuende said inclusive growth must create opportunities for young people, women, rural communities, people with disabilities and local businesses, while protecting the environment.

He identified youth unemployment, entrepreneurship and enterprise development, as well as innovation and the digital economy, as key areas requiring attention.

“Young people remain Namibia’s greatest national asset. Yet, too many talented and educated young Namibians continue to face limited opportunities for meaningful employment,” he said.

Mbuende said emerging industries offered an opportunity to address unemployment, while small and medium enterprises needed better access to finance, business development services and fewer regulatory barriers to grow and create jobs.

He also urged Namibia to embrace artificial intelligence, digital platforms, automation, financial technology and e-commerce as a producer of solutions.

“Namibia must embrace these technologies, not merely as consumers, but as innovators, creators and producers of digital solutions that respond to local challenges while competing globally,” he said.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Hopolang Phororo said development needs were increasing as resources became more constrained, with geopolitical tensions, climate risks and economic uncertainty putting pressure on countries and development partners.

She said this made coordination and the strategic use of resources increasingly important in supporting the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).

“Today, the emphasis is increasingly on country-led partnerships that connect dialogue with evidence, implementation and results,” Phororo said.

Phororo said the forum should not become an annual discussion platform whose commitments end when participants leave. She proposed connecting it more closely to existing coordination and implementation mechanisms.

She suggested regular engagement around selected NDP6 priorities, allowing government and development partners to review progress, identify obstacles, share evidence and coordinate support.

She pointed to the National Health Partners Forum as an example of regular engagement around a shared sector agenda, saying the aim should be to strengthen existing structures rather than create more.

“The challenge before us is therefore not simply how to convene good discussions. It is how to ensure that the ideas, partnerships and commitments generated through these discussions continue beyond the day of the Forum and contribute to implementation and results,” she said.

Phororo said the United Nations was ready to support the NPC by convening partners, sharing knowledge and aligning efforts with national priorities.

She said development coordination should improve people’s lives by ensuring that opportunities translate into jobs and growth benefits are shared.

Mbuende said development cooperation should also bring policy expertise, technical assistance, institutional capacity, technology transfer and research collaboration, alongside financing.

The forum will further explore partnerships that can attract investment, support innovation, strengthen resilience and promote sustainable industrial development.

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