Niël Terblanché
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) recently hosted a visiting delegation from Tanzania’s Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA) think tank to share insights into the implementation of Namibia’s National Blue Economy Policy.
The engagement formed part of a broader effort to increase pan-African collaboration on sustainable development, particularly in maritime sectors.
According to Cliff Shikuambi, Namport’s marketing and stakeholder engagement manager, the visit was aligned with growing interest across the continent in using aquatic resources to drive inclusive economic growth.
“This exchange allowed us to demonstrate how Namibia is translating its Blue Economy policy into tangible action,” Shikuambi said.
The visit coincided with World Environment Day and World Oceans Day, both of which call attention to the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems and address pollution.
Namibia’s Blue Economy Policy outlines a strategic approach to utilising the country’s aquatic ecosystems for national prosperity.
Built on the principles of environmental protection, sustainable production, and social equity, the policy aims to balance economic growth in sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, marine transport, and coastal tourism with long-term ecological responsibility.
REPOA’s delegation visited the Namport facilities to learn how the authority is contributing to the policy’s operationalisation.
Namport’s strategy includes green port initiatives, pollution control, modern port infrastructure, and investments in sectors such as marine renewable energy.
The ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz are being positioned as regional trade gateways, with a focus on community inclusion and job creation.
“The visit offered a valuable opportunity to engage directly on how infrastructure and operations can support the goals of a blue economy. We hope the knowledge shared will be useful for REPOA as they work to inform policy development in Tanzania and the East African region,” Shikuambi added.
The REPOA delegation viewed Namibia’s approach as a potential model for other countries in both the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community.
The think tank intends to use the experience to strengthen evidence-based recommendations for national and regional blue economy strategies.
According to Shikuambi, the visit marked a continuation of Africa-wide efforts to align economic development with environmental stewardship.
He said that it also confirmed a growing consensus that the continent’s development is inextricably tied to the sustainable use of its marine and inland water resources.
