(3 Minutes Read)
Namibia is placing innovation, agriculture, and the blue economy at the heart of its development agenda, Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare announced during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). He highlighted that these focus areas align closely with the country’s recently unveiled Sixth National Development Plan, which emphasizes food security, job creation, and sustainable growth. In his address, Ngurare pointed out that technology is rapidly reshaping the global landscape, connecting Africa more closely with the world and creating what he described as a “modernized global African village.”
He underscored agriculture and the blue economy—including fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, logistics, and transport—as key sectors driving Namibia’s economic transformation. The development plan seeks to expand access to innovation and smart technologies to ensure inclusive growth. Stressing the need for a collaborative approach, Ngurare called for a robust industrial ecosystem supported by government, the private sector, and especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on youth and women-led businesses.
Efforts to integrate the informal sector into the mainstream economy were also noted, along with initiatives to enhance regional trade through improved port and transport infrastructure. Highlighting the potential of Namibia’s ocean resources, the Prime Minister said they could be harnessed to stimulate economic growth, generate employment, and improve livelihoods, all while preserving marine ecosystems. He emphasized that ocean-based sectors could contribute to energy and food production and support sustainable tourism.
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Ngurare concluded by stressing the importance of international partnerships—especially with Japan—in advancing Namibia’s development goals. He called for greater investment in human capital, particularly in equipping youth with the skills needed for the global economy. “When African youth believe in their future, we are already halfway to success,” he said.