Namibia’s economic and trade outlook remains exceptionally positive, with growing interest from industry players eager to harness the country’s strategic location and investment potential. According to Frans Visser, operations executive at Grindrod, Namibia is well-positioned to become a key transit hub for trade between Africa and global markets.“Our outlook for Namibia is very optimistic,” said Visser. “Walvis Bay is ideally situated as a gateway to global markets, especially for cargo from the west coast of Africa. We see this region continuing to develop into a secure and efficient transit route.”Visser noted that the company’s strategy in Namibia was strongly focused on responding to customer needs. “Any investment into infrastructure will be determined by market demand,” he said. “We aim to collaborate with state-owned entities to develop cost-effective and efficient solutions.”However, while the potential is significant, there are challenges that need to be addressed. A key issue, according to Visser, is the shortage of skilled labour in specialised fields. “Our aim is to provide training and upskill local communities to bridge this gap,” he said. Infrastructure also presents obstacles, particularly when it comes to handling bulk shipments efficiently and cost-effectively.Despite these challenges, positive trends are emerging that signal long-term opportunity. “We’re seeing strong interest in infrastructure investment, the development of green hydrogen production, and increased collaboration between the public and private sectors,” said Visser. “These trends are helping to attract further investment into the country.”With Namibia’s geographic advantage, growing infrastructure investment and a clear commitment to workforce development, Visser believes the country is on the right trajectory. “We are very excited about the prospects in Namibia and look forward to working with all stakeholders to enhance regional and global trade,” he said. LV
