Windhoek: The government has welcomed the approval of Namibia's 2025-2030 Country Strategy Paper by the African Development Bank, unlocking a $1.78 billion investment window to support infrastructure development, human capital growth, and inclusive economic transformation.
According to Namibia Press Agency, a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday said the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group's Board of Directors approved the Namibia Country Strategy Paper (CSP), which will guide the bank's engagement with Namibia over a five-year period. The Namibia Country Strategy Paper is a country engagement framework that outlines strategic priorities to drive the national development agenda through grants, loans, and technical assistance.
The CSP allows Namibia to submit priority projects for funding over the five-year period and focuses on two strategic pillars: infrastructure development and human capital development. On infrastructure, the ministry said investments in transport, energy, and water infrastructure will reduce business costs, enhance productivity, and position Namibia as a regional logistics hub. These improvements will strengthen trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, expand renewable energy for energy security, and improve rural access to clean water and sanitation.
Under human capital development, the CSP aims to strengthen technical and vocational training aligned with market needs, support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and advance women's economic empowerment. Beyond being a strategic framework, the ministry said the CSP serves as a powerful financing instrument for Namibia's development agenda. By securing $1.78 billion in concessional, any grants, technical assistance, and market-based resources, the CSP enables the government to leverage additional funding from other development partners and private investors.
The CSP places strong emphasis on MSMEs, with the ministry noting that MSMEs will have access to tailored credit facilities and guarantee schemes under AfDB-supported programs. Special programs will target women-owned and youth-led businesses to promote equitable participation in economic opportunities.
The government expects the strategy to support economic diversification, job creation, and infrastructure expansion, while advancing Namibia's climate commitments. The ministry said the CSP builds on AfDB's strong presence in Namibia, where the bank invested over $658 million in the past decade in projects such as the Walvis Bay Port expansion, railway upgrades, and educational infrastructure. The first operations under the CSP are expected to commence in early 2026.