Manufacturing is a centrepiece of Namibia’s development strategy as it creates employment. As such liberal incentives are offered for establishment of manufacturing enterprises, as well as export goods that are manufactured in Namibia, using Namibian resources, under the Growth at Home strategy.

Namibia has a range of companies that manufacture goods in fields ranging from industrial products and elements of the supply chain, to retail goods and foods. Although the manufacturing base is diverse, it needs to be stimulated to further develop trade. This may entail enhancement of trade capacity or establishment of new companies geared for trade.

A small number of successful textile manufacturers and clothing manufacturers indicate that there is room for growth in this field.

The best-known manufactured Namibian brands are in the food and beverage category. This includes pastas, breakfast foods and staples, processed meat products and beverages such as local beers and international soda-based beverages. Fish products for local consumption are processed frozen or canned, mainly in Walvis Bay.

Elements of the wholesale and retail chain are well supported by manufacturing of packaging and related materials.

Currently, there is massive demand for housing development, so there is a boom in all forms of manufacturing of construction supplies, including cement, bricks, aluminium products and paint. Construction supplies benefit from economies of scale due to a reduction in the logistics requirement.

Manufacturing of goods that require technology is limited mainly to assembly of imported parts.

Engineering enterprises are well represented, and manufacture components on demand, as well as provide industrial services, at the coast and in central areas.