Allexer Namundjembo
The chief executive officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), Nangula Nelulu Uaandja, has welcomed the decision to move the board under the newly restructured Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT).
The announcement was made by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during the Invest in Namibia session in Luanda, Angola, on Tuesday.
Speaking in a statement, Uaandja said the NIPDB supports the realignment, describing it as a strategic step to improve coordination between government bodies responsible for investment, trade, and inclusive growth.
“The NIPDB welcomes this strategic alignment, which is part of a broader effort to streamline the government’s economic development agenda,” Uaandja said. “We believe this realignment will enhance institutional collaboration and help Namibia position itself more competitively on the global investment map.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the restructuring is part of government efforts to improve Namibia’s investment profile and economic diplomacy.
All trade and investment functions, including those of the NIPDB, will now fall under the Ministry of International Relations and Trade.
Uaandja also welcomed Nandi-Ndaitwah’s commitment to finalising the Namibia Investment Promotion and Facilitation Bill (NIPFB).
She said the bill is key to creating a stable legal environment for both local and foreign investors.
“The NIPFB is critical to enhancing Namibia’s competitiveness as an investment destination. Its prioritisation by the President is a clear signal that Namibia is serious about improving its investment climate,” she added.
The NIPDB confirmed that, despite the reporting changes, its core mandate, leadership, and operations remain unchanged.
Uaandja said the board will continue to focus on reducing unemployment, inequality, and poverty.
“We remain steadfast in our mission to serve Namibia. This realignment marks a new chapter, but our vision and drive to attract transformative investments will not waver,” she said.
The announcement came during a high-level investment engagement on the sidelines of a multilateral platform involving African and U.S. government and business leaders.
Nandi-Ndaitwah used the platform to promote Namibia’s investment opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and critical minerals.
She called for investment partnerships that support job creation and value addition, noting that with youth unemployment at 46%, the country needs inclusive development.
The integration of NIPDB into MIRT follows long-standing tensions between the board and the now-dissolved ministry of industrialisation and trade.
The two institutions had previously struggled with overlapping mandates and communication issues, causing confusion among investors and slowing decision-making.
A government official familiar with the restructuring said the shift aims to remove internal competition and ensure that Namibia presents a unified and efficient approach to investment facilitation.
“The friction that existed in the past affected the momentum needed to drive investment effectively. This new structure gives clarity and room for smoother collaboration,” the source said.
