Namibia’s manufacturing sector has considerable investment potential as the domestic economy is relatively well endowed with natural resource factors such as raw materials, required labour force, abundant land, and rich minerals.

Currently, Namibia does not have its own steel production facilities, being fully dependent on imports, which mainly come from South Africa. Opportunities have been identified to develop a Namibian steel manufacturing industry to meet the needs of the domestic market, foster the metal products manufacturing sector, develop linkages into other sectors such as the construction industry, as well as establish steel exports to neighbouring countries.

The Namibian automotive sector is still at a rather early stage of development. The value chains are relatively short and not very deep. With Namibia Press and Tools, an established automotive supplier is based at Walvis Bay manufacturing engine parts for various European car manufacturers, such as Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Renault, and Opel. The majority of other enterprises are active in the automotive after-market (e.g. repair services, engines refurbishing, panel beaters, tooling, outdoor accessories, and tire services). Windhoeker Maschinenfabrik (1998) (PTY) Ltd has some experience in manufacturing vehicles, however concentrating more on military and agricultural vehicles.

There is potential for upgrading different value chains within the agro-processing industry. There is potential for small and large scale fodder production and further commercialization of food supplement production in Namibia. In addition, options to expand feedlots and establish a pet food production.

Namibia is regarded as one of the world largest producers of high value diamond. Namibia has already successfully set up a nascent cutting and polishing industry. However, currently only 10% of domestically produced diamonds kept for cutting and polishing purposes to about 19 cutting and polishing factories. There is potential to increase the value chain in Namibia’s diamond industry through further beneficiation of cut and polished diamonds into jewellery.

Domestic chemical industry remains in its infancy, largely restricted to manufacturing of cleaning and painting products, while a large share of Namibia’s raw materials are exported to neighbouring countries for further value addition. Chemicals and chemical products constitute approximately 8% of total value added from the manufacturing sector.

There is potential in expanding Namibia’s chemical industry, in particular on the salt value chain. Namibia is a significant producer of salt in Sub-Saharan Africa. The local arid coastal climate with evaporation significantly exceeding precipitation creates a favourable environment for the production of cheap solar salt.

Potential exists in value addition projects of the leather, wool, pelts, silk and textiles industry through enhanced collection, processing, grading and cleaning of raw hides, skins, wool and natural silk.

The Government of Namibia is actively seeking investment in the following areas of the manufacturing sector

• Value addition projects in the fisheries sector (fish processing and canning) as well as agriculture (dairy and tomato paste production).
• Biltong and game meat processing.
• Processing of medicinal plants.
• Packaging and labelling.
• Development of sugar products.
• Production of wines, spirits and juice.