By Kaundjire Humbu
Government is pushing an aggressive industrialisation drive aimed at expanding local manufacturing, creating jobs and increasing Namibia’s manufactured exports to 60 percent as the country moves to strengthen domestic production and value addition.
Deputy minister of industries, mines and energy Gaudentia Kröhne said the government wants to build stronger local industries, empower Namibian businesses and position locally manufactured products to compete in regional and international markets.
She made these remarks at the 2026 National Quality awards recently.
Kröhne said quality standards would be critical to delivering the government’s economic transformation agenda under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
Under NDP6, the government is targeting sustainable economic growth, increased employment and a stronger contribution from secondary industries, while seeking to increase manufactured products to 60 percent of total exports.
Kröhne said the ministry is pursuing initiatives aimed at expanding manufacturing capacity, promoting value addition, diversifying the economy and creating employment.
She singled out green baseload electricity, green ammonia and direct-reduced iron as initiatives expected to support renewable energy development and drive Namibia’s emerging green industrial economy.
Government is also using programmes such as the Equipment Aid Scheme and support for micro, small and medium enterprises to increase the participation of Namibian businesses in industrial value chains.
Kröhne said these interventions are intended to stimulate entrepreneurship, formalise businesses and create employment while strengthening domestic production.
However, she stressed that Namibia’s industrial ambitions would depend heavily on whether local products can meet recognised quality standards and compete beyond the country’s borders.
Kröhne said the National Quality Awards encourage businesses and institutions to adopt systems and processes that comply with national, regional and international requirements.
She called on government institutions, the private sector and development partners to become more active in standards development and make greater use of testing, inspection, certification and metrology services.
She also pointed to the National Standardisation Strategy and Plan and the implementation of the Metrology Act of 2022 as key measures aimed at strengthening Namibia’s national quality infrastructure.
NSI chief executive officer Eino Mvula said the institution published 72 standards during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, driven by increased cooperation between technical experts, government and industry.
Participation in the National Quality Awards increased from 21 applicants in 2025 to 24 this year, while the winners will represent Namibia at the 2027 SADC Quality Awards.
