Empowering Namibia: Female Leadership Promises Economic Diversification and Jobs

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Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was inaugurated as Namibia’s first female president, marking a significant milestone for the country. In her inaugural speech, she outlined plans to diversify the economy beyond its historical dependence on natural resources. The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including seven current and nine former African presidents.

A crucial aspect of her strategy involves increasing investments in agriculture to boost domestic food production and achieve self-sufficiency. Nandi-Ndaitwah also stressed the importance of adding value to natural resources, aiming for Namibians to gain more direct benefits from the nation’s wealth. She addressed the high unemployment rates, especially among youth, highlighting the need for job creation through economic diversification. Furthermore, she pledged to maintain high ethical standards in public service and strengthen efforts to combat corruption. Despite recent economic growth driven by investments in oil, gas, and green hydrogen, Namibia still faces significant income inequality, ranking second highest in the world according to World Bank data.

Support for the SWAPO party has declined over the past decade due to dissatisfaction with unemployment, inequality, and corruption allegations. The party received 57% of the votes in the recent presidential election, a decrease from 87% in 2014. Last month, Namibia’s Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the presidential election from opposition parties, which argued that the voting process was flawed and potentially invalid due to an extended voting period and other issues.

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At 72, Nandi-Ndaitwah became Namibia’s first female president after her SWAPO party, which has governed the nation of approximately 3 million people for over thirty years, won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in November. While Namibia has experienced solid economic growth in recent years, largely from investments in oil, gas, and green hydrogen, World Bank data shows it ranks second highest globally for income inequality.