After several challenging years, Namibia is beginning to reap the rewards of its sustained efforts to foster growth and development.According to the World Bank, the country’s economic growth moderated to an estimated 3.7% in 2024 due to a decline in mining activities and severe drought. Growth is projected to increase to 3.9% in 2025 and average 4% in the medium term. Growth in the non-mineral economy is expected to gain traction, especially in sectors severely set back by the pandemic, including tourism.Elias Mwenyo, Namport’s executive for commercial services, said that consistent investment in port and corridor infrastructure was now bearing fruit, with the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz finally coming into their own. “It hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve been implementing changes over several years,” he said. “Interest in oil and gas is at an all-time high, and the mining sector is also experiencing an increase in volumes. The only thing we can’t afford to do now is relax – we must keep our foot on the pedal.”According to Mbahupu Hippy Tjivikua, chief executive of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), collaboration has been a key driver of the country’s recent progress. “Much of this success can be attributed to a proactive approach to business development and trade facilitation,” he said. “This has played a pivotal role in attracting new clients and driving the increase in cargo volumes.”Stakeholders interviewed by Freight News during a recent visit to Namibia agree that the country’s logistics sector is responding proactively to the growing demands of the extractive industries. They noted a clear shift toward specialised handling solutions, increased investment in heavy-lift equipment, and the expansion of inland storage and logistics hubs. “Namibia is a logistics story worth watching,” said Darren Jankelow, head of sales, maritime cranes and construction machines at Liebherr-Africa. “Its strategic location, strong governance and forward-thinking investments are creating real momentum.”It is a market widely regarded as a cornerstone of regional development. With the right infrastructure, a well-defined logistics strategy and growing investor confidence, Namibia is now poised to become a central logistics and trade hub in southern Africa – a vision that was dismissed by many as unrealistic just two decades ago.According to Tjivikua, while the logistics hub concept has faced delays in recent years – due in part to the Covid-19 pandemic and a severe drought – momentum is building, and there is renewed determination to achieve the country’s long-term goals.“Of course, we must also develop complementary industries, as logistics alone cannot be the end goal,” he said. “We need to focus on manufacturing and value addition – packaging locally to ensure we’re extracting maximum value. If we’re talking about oil and gas, we must also consider the potential for an oil refinery, similar to what exists in Nigeria. While much of this has yet to be finalised and there is still a great deal of work ahead, we are on the right path.” LV
