Namibia cannot build a strong and sustainable economy without recognising, respecting and supporting the people who are already building businesses, creating employment and investing their resources in the country. Local business people and entrepreneurs are not merely participants in the economy; they are among the key pillars on which the Namibian economy stands.

The time has come for the Namibian Government to seriously reconsider how it treats and engages with its own business community.

Namibian business owners are putting their money, time, knowledge and reputations on the line to build companies in often difficult conditions. They deserve an environment where they are respected, protected and encouraged to grow.

Business people in Namibia are building the economy whether we like it or not.

Recognise business champions

In every sector there is competition. There are performers who distinguish themselves through innovation, perseverance, job creation, investment, exports, community development and business growth.

Namibia therefore needs a serious and prestigious national business awards ceremony that celebrates the country’s top performers. We have competitions like Miss Namibia and NAMAS as examples, but why don’t we have business and entrepreneurship competitions? Competitions like this will encourage and recognise local business people.

The government should introduce or strengthen awards that recognise outstanding Namibian business people in different sectors. Such recognition would send an important message to young entrepreneurs that hard work, innovation and responsible business leadership are valued in Namibia.

We celebrate champions in sport. We celebrate achievements in many other areas of society. Why should we not also celebrate our champions in business?

Recognition matters. It motivates people to do more, encourages healthy competition and creates role models for the next generation.

Capacitate business people

Namibian business people increasingly operate beyond our borders. They travel to countries such as China, the United States, South Africa, Nigeria and other markets to identify opportunities, negotiate contracts, source equipment, attract investors and develop partnerships.

The government should therefore explore practical measures to assist genuine, established business people with appropriate official travel documentation and special business passports or other facilitation mechanisms, where legally and administratively appropriate.

The objective should be simple: allow legitimate Namibian business people to travel efficiently and securely when conducting serious international business.

If our entrepreneurs are expected to compete internationally, government must ensure that they have the tools and support necessary to do so.

Business lessons, respect

Namibia can learn much from countries such as the United States, South Africa, Nigeria and China about the importance of a strong relationship between government and business people.

These countries have large and influential business communities that contribute significantly to their economies and international competitiveness. Namibia should learn from practices that encourage successful entrepreneurs, investors and companies to become partners in national development.

Foreign business people often get more respect, attention, or opportunities than Namibian-owned businesses.

While foreign investment brings vital capital, technology, expertise, and partnerships to Namibia, it should not overshadow or disadvantage local entrepreneurs.

We must uplift our own business people instead of trying to break them down.

Our message should not be, “How can we bring down this local business?” It should be, “How can we help this Namibian business become bigger, stronger and more competitive internationally?”

The government should establish regular, meaningful sessions with genuine local business people—not merely ceremonial consultations. These engagements should bring together experienced entrepreneurs from different sectors to discuss the real challenges facing the economy. Business people have practical knowledge because they experience these challenges every day.

Policymakers have important responsibilities, but entrepreneurs also possess valuable knowledge gained through years of operating businesses, employing people, investing capital and dealing with markets.

The government should therefore listen to them—not only during conferences, but throughout the year.

When the Namibian government travels abroad on investment and business missions, it should

make a deliberate effort to include experienced and credible Namibian business leaders.

When government delegations visit China, the US, South Africa, Nigeria, and others, local business leaders should be included. While officials can open doors, experienced entrepreneurs know how to act once opened. Namibian entrepreneurs grasp local needs, understand capital challenges, and communicate effectively with foreign investors and leaders.

The goal should be to bring real investment, real businesses and real capital into Namibia—not simply to produce photographs and statements about investment missions.

Protect Namibian businesses

Local businesses need fair access to opportunities, transparent procurement systems, reasonable regulatory requirements, access to finance, protection of legitimate investments and a business environment where their contributions are respected. High tax also needs to be looked into.

It is breaking down businesses; instead of being properly regulated, it breaks down local businesses.

A country cannot tell its citizens to become entrepreneurs and then make successful entrepreneurship unnecessarily difficult.

The government and the business community should not be enemies. They should be partners.

The government provides policy, infrastructure, institutions and public services. Business provides investment, innovation, employment, production & services, skills and economic activity.

Both sides need each other.

If Namibia is serious about tackling unemployment, poverty and slow economic growth, then it must place its local business community at the centre of the national development conversation.

We should recognise the Namibians who have already demonstrated that it is possible to build successful enterprises under difficult circumstances.

We should celebrate their achievements, learn from their experiences and create conditions that allow them to expand.

By doing so, it is how the government shows its respect for local business people who are truly building the country’s economy.

Namibia needs a new culture of respect for entrepreneurship.

Let us respect business creators, investors, and exporters in Namibia.

Celebrate entrepreneurs, protect local businesses, and include experienced entrepreneurs in economic decisions. Namibia’s future isn’t only built by government. Namibian business people are already building this country every day.

The responsibility of government is to recognise them, respect them, protect them and work with them.

That is how we can build a stronger Namibian economy, together.

*Erastus ‘CHICCO’ Shapumba is a Namibian businessman and serves as the President of Naloba.