On Verge of Oil Boom, Namibia Swears In First Female President

Ms Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s first female president as the south-west African nation prepares for an anticipated oil and gas boom.

The 72-year-old took the oath of office at State House in Windhoek, the capital, on March 21, after heavy rains forced the government to change venues.

The scaled-down inauguration was attended by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and South Africa’s Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, among other heads of state.

Her inauguration comes three months after her victory in elections that extended the South West Africa People’s Organisation’s more than three-decade hold on power.

A veteran politician, Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah has held several key government positions, including deputy prime minister and international relations minister.
Among her key challenges will be to tackle a 37 per cent unemployment rate and ensuring the broader population benefits from recent hydrocarbon discoveries.

“The task I am facing is to make sure the unfinished agenda of the economy and social advancement of our people is carried forward with vigour and determination to bring about a shared balanced prosperity for all,” said Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is due to announce her Cabinet in the coming days.

The new administration has pledged to create 500,000 jobs over the next five years, invest 85 billion Namibian dollars (S$6.24 billion) in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy and other priorities, and encourage greater private-sector participation in projects.

The world’s third-largest uranium supplier, Namibia is on the verge of becoming a major oil and gas producer following offshore discoveries by TotalEnergies SE and Shell Plc in the Orange Basin, with commercial production expected to begin as early as 2029.

The country is also trying to position itself as a key player in green-hydrogen development, and has attracted investment from Europe and Asia.

“We pledge to diversify our economy for our people to drive maximum benefit from our country’s natural resources through value addition. The diversification of our economy will also create revenue to finance development and enhance and expand social safety nets and create jobs to take care of the unemployed,” she said.

Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah succeeds Mr Nangolo Mbumba, who took power last year after Mr Hage Geingob died in office.

Mr Sam Nujoma, who led the country to independence in 1990 and served as its first president for 15 years, died in February 2025 at the age of 95.

—BLOOMBERG—