By Michael Uugwanga
Namibia’s struggling sport and creative industries could benefit from the Dangote Namibia Tank Farm and Regional Pipeline project, as President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah identifying the sectors as priority areas for investment and economic development.
The announcement raises expectations among industries that have for years struggled with limited funding, inadequate investment and a lack of sustainable business opportunities, despite their potential to create jobs and contribute to the national economy.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia’s development priorities extend beyond traditional economic sectors to include sport and the creative industry.
She said sport should not be treated merely as a social activity but recognised as an economic sector capable of creating employment, developing young people and generating opportunities across different industries.
“During our first meeting, our priority areas in Namibia begin with agriculture, followed by sport. Some people may regard sport merely as a social programme, but for us, sport is an economic activity,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She added that sport provides an opportunity to shape young people’s thinking while creating industries that can contribute meaningfully to economic development.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also singled out the creative industry, arguing that its economic value is often underestimated because people tend to associate it mainly with music and entertainment.
“The creative industry is another sector we consider very important. I always say that, when people think of the creative industry, they may think only of music and dance, forgetting that even what you are wearing today is part of it. Your dress, your suit and your tie were designed by somebody. That is part and parcel of the creative industry.”
Industry experts say Nandi-Ndaitwah remarks come at a time when Namibia’s sporting and creative sectors continue to face financial constraints, with athletes, sports associations and creative professionals often struggling to secure the investment needed to develop their industries.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s reference to these sectors at the launch of a major private-sector investment also places the spotlight on how large-scale business projects could contribute to economic opportunities beyond their immediate commercial operations.
The Dangote project, launched by Nandi-Ndaitwah in the presence of Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, is centred on petroleum storage and distribution infrastructure at Walvis Bay, alongside a regional pipeline investment.
Dangote is the founder of Dangote Group, a Nigerian multinational industrial conglomerate and one of Africa’s largest industrial businesses.
While the President identified sport and the creative industry as national priorities, the extent to which these sectors will benefit from the investment, and what mechanisms would facilitate such support, remains to be established.
