National Planning Commission of Namibia

Following the launch of the 2025/26–2029/30 Strategic Plan, NPC managers, today, officially signed their performance agreements.

During the signing ceremony, Executive Director Mr I-Ben Nashandi reminded managers of the importance of accountability, both among themselves and within their respective teams. He called on them to embody and cultivate a strong teamwork, and a results-oriented culture across the institution.

The Executive Director called on Managers to realise the value of personal contribution to work, and made a call to managers to track their work and that of the subordinates to the NDP6 objectives.

He reminded the team that building a capable and motivated workforce is critical to achieving the Commission’s strategic objectives.

Today, Amb. Dr. Kaire Mbuende bid farewell to H.E. Dr. Thorsten Hutter, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Namibia, who has been serving in Namibia since 2023.

During his tenure, Ambassador Hutter focused on strengthening Germany–Namibia bilateral relations, promoting development cooperation, particularly in the areas of energy, climate action, and infrastructure, supporting green hydrogen and renewable energy partnerships, and advancing historical and political dialogue between the two countries.

In his remarks, Dr. Mbuende noted that Germany remains one of Namibia’s key bilateral development cooperation partners, supporting national development priorities aimed at reducing poverty, promoting inclusive and sustainable urban development, enhancing the sustainable use of natural resources, and fostering long-term economic growth.

Since 1990, the German Government has provided more than N$32 billion in support to Namibia through implementing agencies such as KfW, GIZ, and BGR. Of this amount, approximately N$876 million has been committed in grant and loan funding for the 2025–2026 period.

Dr. Mbuende expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Hutter for his dedication and valuable contribution over the past three years in further strengthening the longstanding relations between Namibia and Germany.

Yesterday, the Director General, Amb. Dr. Kaire Mbuende, met with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to discuss matters relating to public service reform, professionalisation, and human resource management.

Key issues discussed included the PSC’s mandate and ongoing reform initiatives aimed at strengthening the effectiveness, efficiency, and professionalism of the public service.

The meeting further focused on the professionalisation of the public service, including the review of the Recruitment Policy, systems digitalisation, the National Induction Programme, and the development of a National Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service.

The National Planning Commission (NPC) recently unveiled a new five-year institutional roadmap designed to directly support the country’s national development framework and boost local growth.

Read more: https://economist.com.na/107466/human-resources/npc-embarks-on-5-year-plan-to-drive-local-and-national-development/

NPC Executive Director Mr I-Ben Nashandi joined the Embassy of Japan in Namibia in commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Namibia.

In his remarks, Mr Nashandi highlighted that Japan’s contribution to Namibia’s development across various sectors to date exceeds N$80 billion, including N$47 billion in grants and development assistance.

He said one of JICA’s most enduring contributions has been its investment in human capital development.

“We have witnessed many Japanese professionals contributing to Namibia’s development by teaching, providing vocational education in technical fields such as dressmaking, engineering and mechanics, as well as introducing adaptive agricultural methods for food production,” said Mr Nashandi.

He added that many Namibian professionals have benefited from training programmes, technical exchanges, study tours, and postgraduate study opportunities in Japan and elsewhere, further strengthening the longstanding partnership between the two countries.

Mr Nashandi reflected on his personal experience, sharing that he participated in a two-month Group Training Course in Agricultural Cooperatives II in Japan in 1996. He noted that Namibia’s development cooperation with Japan therefore extends well beyond the past 20 years.

Mr Nashandi extended his appreciation and gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for their invaluable contribution to Namibia’s development journey, while reaffirming Namibia’s commitment to an even stronger partnership in the years ahead.

Japan - The Government of Japan

SME fund launched to boost economy - Market Watch Namibia has launched a new grant fund aimed at boosting the growth of small and medium-sized enterpr

Today, Executive Director Mr. I-Ben Nashandi launched the National Planning Commission’s Strategic Plan for the period 2025/26–2029/30 which provides a roadmap in advancing Namibia’s development agenda over the next five years.
In his address, Nashandi reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to its transformative strategic agenda of becoming “a centre of excellence championing the course of national development.”

The Strategic Plan is anchored on three strategic pillars:
Pillar 1: National Development Planning – focusing on the formulation and coordination of national development plans and strategies.
Pillar 2: Overseeing National Development Performance – focusing on fostering the implementation of NDP6 and strengthening strategic partnerships and collaborations.
Pillar 3: Operational Excellence – aimed at enhancing organisational performance, efficiency, and service delivery.

Mr. Nashandi noted that the Strategic Plan will be reviewed periodically to assess progress and ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.

“As this plan represents the National Planning Commission’s response to NDP6 and the final stretch towards the attainment of Vision 2030, it calls for commitment, purpose, and passion to deliver the required results,” he said.

He further emphasized that the success of the plan will depend on discipline among staff members, strong intra-institutional collaboration, innovation, and digital transformation to accelerate service delivery and achieve the Commission’s strategic objectives.

The National Planning Commission is hosting a two-day workshop to review the National Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Policy and its Implementation Action Plan.

The M&E Policy seeks to institutionalise continuous performance monitoring and evaluation, while enhancing the use of evidence by Offices, Ministries and Agencies, Regional Councils, Local Authorities, State-Owned Enterprises, and non-governmental institutions to improve implementation, outcomes, and development impact.

Speaking at the workshop, Chief National Development Advisor, Mr. Samuel Thimende, emphasized that M&E is not merely a technical function, but a critical governance and management tool. “It helps us understand whether our policies, programmes and projects are being implemented as intended, whether they are producing results, and whether public resources are contributing to meaningful development outcomes that positively impact the lives of all citizens,” he said.

Mr. Thimende added that the review process presents an opportunity to critically assess both the Policy and its Implementation Action Plan as practical instruments for improving planning, budgeting, reporting, decision-making, and accountability across government.

As Namibia prepares for the next Global Fund funding cycle, NPC Acting Executive Director, Mr. Sylvester Mbangu, has called for effective coordination and preparedness to ensure continued progress in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, while strengthening the country’s health systems.

Mbangu made the call in his welcoming remarks during the Global Fund Stakeholders Consultative Meeting held today.
Since 2004, the Global Fund made significant investments to combat HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria in Namibia.

Mr. Mbangu emphasized that preparedness for the next funding cycle requires more than developing funding requests. “Readiness requires clear priorities, strong partnerships, sound governance arrangements, and a shared commitment to achieving sustainable results,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of strengthening national ownership and ensuring that investments continue to deliver maximum impact for the health and well-being of all Namibians.

Yesterday, the Omaheke Regional Council, led by the Chairperson of the Regional Council, Clr. Rocco Nguvauva, and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pecka Semba, held a courtesy meeting with the Director General of the National Planning Commission and the NPC team.

The meeting focused on key development and challenges facing the region and sought guidance on aligning regional priorities with national development plans and government priorities.