Namibia is struggling to unlock N$15 billion in investment projects due to administrative and regulatory bottlenecks. According to a briefing by Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, 15 projects face specific bottlenecks, while 94 projects could generate approximately 22,000 additional jobs. The briefing was presented to Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare in October 2026. These developments raise concerns about Namibia's ability to convert investment commitments into jobs and economic growth.
The Namibian government is pursuing its target of creating 500,000 jobs by 2030, as President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah focuses on legislation affecting investment promotion, land access, public enterprises, petroleum exploration, and international trade. Several bills, including the Investment Promotion and Facilitation Bill, the Land Bill, and the Public Enterprises Amendment Bill, are at different stages of parliamentary consideration. The proposed Special Economic Zones framework could influence efforts to attract manufacturing, mineral beneficiation, and export-oriented investment.
The legislative process is unfolding in a changed political environment, with the Swapo Party having to negotiate a more contested National Assembly. Parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu stated that opposition parties are strategically slowing the passage of bills to demonstrate that the ruling party can no longer rely on its former numerical dominance to push legislation through quickly. According to Kandorozu, the ruling party must now consult more widely and accommodate greater scrutiny before legislation advances.
The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill has become a focal point of the debate, proposing to move key upstream petroleum regulatory functions to the Office of the President. The bill passed its second reading in the National Assembly on 20 October 2026, with 50 members voting in favour. It must still undergo further scrutiny of its individual clauses and complete the remaining legislative stages before it can become law.
Opposition lawmakers have raised concerns about the concentration of regulatory authority and the strength of parliamentary oversight. Swapo Party member of parliament Ephraim Nekongo defended the proposal, stating that it creates a specialised and coordinated institutional mechanism capable of managing the national interest involved in upstream petroleum development. Opposition MPs have also raised concerns about local participation, transparency, and safeguards for the country's petroleum resources.
Delays involving land access, environmental approvals, visas, and coordination between public institutions can affect projects across various sectors, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, logistics, and tourism. The proposed Special Economic Zones framework could help attract industrial investment, while trade and investment legislation could strengthen the regulatory environment for businesses seeking to establish or expand operations.
A transparent legislative delivery timetable, supported by clear reporting on investment approvals and outstanding administrative issues, could improve accountability and give businesses greater certainty. As Namibia pursues its 2030 employment target, the central challenge is to turn investment commitments into operational projects, productive industries, and sustainable jobs. The effectiveness of both parliamentary scrutiny and government implementation will help determine whether the current investment pipeline delivers its anticipated economic benefits.
Key points
- Delays in legislative processes and regulatory bottlenecks threaten N$15 billion in investment and 22,000 potential jobs in Namibia.
- The Namibian government is pursuing its target of creating 500,000 jobs by 2030, with a focus on legislation affecting investment promotion and economic growth.
- A transparent legislative delivery timetable and clear reporting on investment approvals could improve accountability and give businesses greater certainty.
