STAFF WRITER
Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and vice-chairperson of the Namibia Public–Private Partnership, Titus Nampala has said its possible for Namibia to grow its economy by 5% per annum.
He said meeting the aspirations of National Development Plan 6 (NDP6), of growing the economy by more than 5% annually, will needs slight tweaks.
The tweaks must be in approach, mindset and in the rhythm with which, the country acts, Nampala said.
“The private sector is ready to assure you, Your Excellency: it is possible. And our ask is very small, tiny dare I say Madam President. An enabling business environment,” he said during a meeting of the Namibia Public–Private Partnership Forum held in Windhoek.
He said the enabling business environment must be the one that negotiates market access, offers diplomatic support, delivers the right infrastructure, ensures fair and predictable regulation, one that embraces business as a partner in weaving the Namibian story.
“We must begin with coherence and coordination among our regulatory institutions. Creating an enabling environment depends on collaboration, not fragmentation. The modern economy is interconnected, yet many of our regulators still work in silos. The same entrepreneur applying for a food licence, a trade permit and an export certificate often faces different interpretations of the same law,” said Nampala.
He said reducing the cost of doing business is an urgent priority. He added that enterprises are buried under layers of compliance.
“Red tape drives informality and discourages entrepreneurship. Simplifying and harmonising regulatory systems will create more jobs than any subsidy ever could.”
He said the country needs regulation that partners with enterprise. Smart regulation listens, adapts, and focuses on win-win outcomes.
He disclosed that some of the government regulators have created a Regulators Forum under the leadership of the Governor of the Central Bank.
“I hope all regulators, including those within ministries and local authorities, will join this forum. Alignment will enhance trust and efficiency,” he said.
Nampala said the country must unlock the full potential of its trade agreements. He said the country’s export basket remains narrow, commodity based and over-reliant on a few markets.
He said agriculture and tourism remains the short strategic levers to defeat unemployment. He added that broad based manufacturing the key to industrialization.
“The industrialised Namibia we all dream of depends on one thing: energy security. We cannot industrialise or attract meaningful investment while electricity costs remain high. The Modified Single Buyer Model must evolve to enable greater private participation. Energy security is not a sectoral issue, it is the key that unlocks every other ambition we hold,” said Nampala.
