WALVIS BAY, Namibia – President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for greater involvement of Namibian businesses in major investment projects, saying large-scale developments must create meaningful economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and contractors.
The President made the call following the groundbreaking ceremony of the Dangote Namibia Tank Farm and Regional Pipeline Project in Walvis Bay, where she met members of the local business community in the Erongo Region to discuss opportunities arising from the investment.
The engagement provided a platform for businesspeople to raise concerns, share their experiences and seek clarity on how local enterprises could secure a meaningful role in the project and other major developments planned for the country.
According to the Namibian Presidency, the discussions centred on ensuring that domestic companies are not left on the sidelines while major investments are implemented in their communities.
Nandi-Ndaitwah called for stronger participation by local enterprises, particularly in sectors expected to benefit from the construction and operation of the Dangote project.
These include construction, transport, logistics, engineering and other supporting services, where Namibian contractors and suppliers could secure business opportunities through partnerships and procurement arrangements.
The discussions also considered the challenges facing local companies in competing for large contracts, including the need to improve technical expertise, strengthen operational capacity and establish partnerships that would enable them to meet the requirements of major investors.
The President reiterated the importance of creating an investment-friendly environment by addressing obstacles that discourage capital inflows while ensuring that major projects generate wider benefits for the domestic economy.
She called for investments to contribute to employment creation, skills development and opportunities for Namibian businesses to expand their operations.
The Dangote Namibia Tank Farm and Regional Pipeline Project is a major energy infrastructure investment in Walvis Bay, a strategic port city in the Erongo Region that plays an important role in Namibia’s maritime trade, logistics and industrial development.
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