NewKerala.com

Namibia's Creative Revolution: President Vows to Double GDP Contribution

Namibia's President has made an ambitious commitment to transform the country's economic landscape. She announced plans to double the creative sector's contribution to GDP within five years. The president emphasized that Namibia's future depends on creativity rather than traditional resources. This strategic shift positions creative industries as central to national development and job creation.

Key Points: Namibian President Pledges to Double Creative Sector GDP

  • President aims to double creative sector GDP from 1.5% to 3% in five years
  • Creative economy includes film, music, fashion, gaming and digital content
  • Namibia to leverage global filming success like Mad Max: Fury Road
  • Government makes creative industries core pillar of national development plan
2 min read

Namibian President vows to double creative sector's GDP contribution

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah commits to boosting creative industries' GDP contribution from 1.5% to 3% within five years during Bank of Namibia symposium.

"Namibia's future will not be determined by its underground resources, but by the creativity and innovation of its people. - President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah"

Windhoek, Nov 13

Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Thursday pledged to double the creative sector's contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 1.5 per cent to 3 per cent within the next five years.

Nandi-Ndaitwah made the pledge during the 26th Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium, held under the theme: "Unleashing the Power of the Creative Industries: A Catalyst for Economic Development in Namibia," in a statement delivered on her behalf in the capital, Windhoek, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The president said that Namibia's future would not be determined by its underground resources, but by the creativity and innovation of its people.

"For too long, Namibia's economy has relied on a narrow base, mining, fisheries, and agriculture. These sectors do not have enough jobs, enough inclusion, or enough resilience," she said, adding that Namibia must shift from being merely resource-rich to becoming an architect of relevance in a world that rewards creativity and intellect.

The creative economy, which includes film, music, fashion, design, gaming, and digital content, is one of the world's fastest-growing sectors, generating over 2.3 trillion US dollars annually and contributing over 3 per cent to global GDP, she noted.

"Namibia, with its youthful, connected, and tech-savvy population, has all the ingredients to lead this transformation if we create the right conditions for our people to thrive," she said.

To capitalize on this global trend, she said the government has made the creative industries a core pillar of its Sixth National Development Plan.

She also called on the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to fast-track the development of a distinctive national brand, leveraging the country's existing global recognition as a filming destination for productions such as Mad Max: Fury Road and The Mummy.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, meanwhile, encouraged the youth to transition from being consumers of global content to producers of uniquely Namibian stories, products, and ideas, emphasizing that their creativity is an economic force.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Smart move by Namibia! Moving beyond traditional sectors to creative economy is the future. Their focus on youth and technology is exactly what developing countries need. Hope our Indian policymakers are taking notes - we have even more potential in creative sectors.
A
Arjun K
While I appreciate the vision, doubling creative sector contribution in 5 years seems ambitious. Implementation will be key - infrastructure, funding, and market access matter more than announcements. Hope they have a concrete roadmap beyond just targets.
S
Sarah B
Love how they're leveraging their global recognition from Hollywood films! That's smart branding. India has similar opportunities with our locations being used in international productions. We should create better incentives for foreign filmmakers here too.
K
Karthik V
The focus on shifting youth from consumers to producers is crucial! In India, we have millions of creative minds on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. If properly supported, they can become significant economic contributors. More power to Namibia's vision! 🙌
M
Michael C
Interesting to see a developing nation prioritizing creative industries. The $2.3 trillion global creative economy is massive - every country should have a strategy to capture their share. Hope they succeed and create a model for others to follow.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50