WINDHOEK – George Simataa, Secretary to the Cabinet, has called for a significant transformation of Namibia’s economy, highlighting the unsustainability of the nation’s heavy reliance on the mining sector.

According to NAMPA, who addressed attendees at the First Global South Think-Tank Dialogue in Xiamen, China, on Thursday, Namibia must embrace economic modernization to progress beyond its current state, which is predominantly mining-centric.

Simataa emphasized the need for Namibia to partner with transnational corporations to decrease raw material exports while promoting local processing and beneficiation. This shift, he suggested, could not only benefit Namibia but also richer economies globally, particularly in Europe and Asia.

He identified Namibia’s potential to become a manufacturing hub, citing the country’s ample land suitable for this purpose and existing transport infrastructure such as the Port of Walvis Bay. Additionally, Simataa mentioned the government’s interest in establishing a new, sustainable ‘green economy’ in the Namib Desert, highlighting Namibia’s progressive strides in developing green hydrogen initiatives.

However, Simataa issued a cautionary note regarding the requisite educational and skill levels needed to meet these ambitious goals. He urged developing nations, including Namibia, to increase their investment in education. This advancement in education, he argued, is vital not only to manage population growth through enhanced birth control awareness but also to enable citizens to secure improved employment opportunities, thereby creating a ripple effect of economic benefits.