Ngurare warns public officials against hindering business growth

NAMPA
2026-03-22
OSHAKATI, 20 March 2026 - Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare pictured during the engagement with the business community in Oshana Region. (Photo by: Andreas Thomas) NAMPA OSHAKATI, 20 March 2026 - Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare pictured during the engagement with the business community in Oshana Region. (Photo by: Andreas Thomas) NAMPA
OSHAKATI, 22 MAR (NAMPA) - Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has underscored the critical role of the business community in driving Namibia’s economic independence, while cautioning public officials against obstructing access to government services.
Speaking during an engagement with business people in the Oshana Region on Friday, Ngurare said the government is committed to creating an enabling environment for local enterprises to thrive.
The premier stressed that entrepreneurship remains central to job creation and national development.
He described the business sector as the “backbone” of the country, noting that economic progress depends on the success of the local businesses.
Ngurare further stressed that government offices, ministries and agencies must serve as facilitators rather than barriers to business growth.
“I have come to learn that within our own government, there are those who are making it difficult for business people to succeed,” the prime minister said, while adding that delays and bureaucratic inefficiencies undermine development efforts.
Ngurare added that some officials take unnecessarily long to process documents, while others treat public institutions as personal domains, practices he said contradict the principles of independence and service delivery.
Meanwhile, Ngurare highlighted government interventions aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs, particularly through the National Youth Development Fund.
He said the fund, which provides financial support without collateral requirements, is designed to give young people a meaningful entry into business.
The prime minister said the initiative has already begun creating employment opportunities, with hundreds of young people benefiting from the programme.
He urged aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of the fund and actively participate in economic activities.
Ngurare also called for inclusive support systems, saying assistance should be extended to all Namibians regardless of background or social status.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with the private sector, stating that continuous engagement with business stakeholders will be prioritised to address challenges and unlock economic potential across the country.
(NAMPA)
AT/AS/EK

Latest NAMPA photos

GABORONE, 06 July 2026 - Southern African officials will meet in Johannesburg from 15 to 17 July to advance public spending efficiency through cost-benefit analysis. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

GABORONE, 06 July 2026 - Southern African officials will meet in Johannesburg from 15 to 17 July to advance public spending efficiency through cost-benefit analysis. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

NAMPA
NEW YORK, 07 July 2026 - Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

NEW YORK, 07 July 2026 - Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 07 July 2026 - Ana Beatriz Martins, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Namibia. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 07 July 2026 - Ana Beatriz Martins, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Namibia. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA

NAMPA
GENEVA, 06 July 2026 - Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, pictured with Chairperson of the PowerCom Board, Eldorette Harmse, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava; and Namibia's Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Elvis Shiweda, during the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.

(Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

GENEVA, 06 July 2026 - Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, pictured with Chairperson of the PowerCom Board, Eldorette Harmse, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava; and Namibia's Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Elvis Shiweda, during the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. (Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

NAMPA
GUANGZHOU, 06 July 2026 - A car assembly line at the Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) car company. GAC is China’s state-owned automaker. Which manufactures vehicles under its own marques (GAC Motor and AION) and operates highly successful joint ventures with Honda and Toyota. With global reach across 86 regions, it is rapidly expanding into EVs and international production. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

GUANGZHOU, 06 July 2026 - A car assembly line at the Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) car company. GAC is China’s state-owned automaker. Which manufactures vehicles under its own marques (GAC Motor and AION) and operates highly successful joint ventures with Honda and Toyota. With global reach across 86 regions, it is rapidly expanding into EVs and international production. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA
GUANGZHOU, 06 July 2026 - China's GAC International plans to establish a vehicle assembly operation in Namibia before the end of 2026 as part of its expansion into Southern Africa. The right-hand-drive AION V electric vehicle (pictured here) will be among the models assembled at the envisioned motor assembly plant. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

GUANGZHOU, 06 July 2026 - China's GAC International plans to establish a vehicle assembly operation in Namibia before the end of 2026 as part of its expansion into Southern Africa. The right-hand-drive AION V electric vehicle (pictured here) will be among the models assembled at the envisioned motor assembly plant. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA
GUANGZHOU, 06 July 2026 - China's GAC International plans to establish a vehicle assembly operation in Namibia before the end of 2026 as part of its expansion into Southern Africa. The right-hand-drive AION V electric vehicle (pictured here) will be among the models assembled at the envisioned motor assembly plant. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

GUANGZHOU, 06 July 2026 - China's GAC International plans to establish a vehicle assembly operation in Namibia before the end of 2026 as part of its expansion into Southern Africa. The right-hand-drive AION V electric vehicle (pictured here) will be among the models assembled at the envisioned motor assembly plant. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA
WALVIS BAY, 24 April 2026 - President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Vice President Lucia Witbooi accompanied by other senior officials during a recent visit to the Seaworks fishing factory in Walvis Bay. They are looking at some of the most popularly imported seafood. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

WALVIS BAY, 24 April 2026 - President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Vice President Lucia Witbooi accompanied by other senior officials during a recent visit to the Seaworks fishing factory in Walvis Bay. They are looking at some of the most popularly imported seafood. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA