Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) chief executive Nangula Uaandja says she will be leaving the agency by the end of next month.
Uaandja on Friday told NIPDB staff she plans to rest for two to three months once her contract lapses at the end of December, but remains open to serving in economic development - either in the public or private sector.
She reiterated this message to The Namibian yesterday.
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"My five-year contract as NIPDB chief executive will indeed cease on 31 December. Concurrently, the NIPDB is undergoing structural changes emanating from its recent realignment to the Ministry of International Relations and Trade," she said.
Uaandja said potential adjustments are anticipated under the Namibia investment promotion and facilitation bill, which is expected to be tabled in parliament in the near future.
"In light of the ongoing transition and the institution's future recalibration under the new administration, I will be taking a two to three-month sabbatical, starting in January 2026," she said.
'Pause, rest, reflect'
Uaandja said she has been working continuously for three decades, and believes this period provides a necessary moment for her to pause, rest and reflect.
"Serving my country and contributing to its economic development agenda and the fight against the triple challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty has always been my life purpose," she said.
"I will continue with this work after my sabbatical, whether directly as a public servant or by supporting the government's efforts from the private sector perspective."
Uaandja said the NIPDB's role as an entity established to promote investment and to support the government's economic development and diversification agenda does not depend on one person.
"It is bigger than me. Therefore, the institution's purpose and mandate will continue to be a critical component of the government's agenda," she said.
"Over the past five years, we've built a brilliant and highly capable team that I'm confident will continue serving our investors and other stakeholders with the same high level of passion, professionalism and efficiency."
She added: "In the next few weeks, we will work closely with the Ministry of International Relations and Trade to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of leadership.
"I would like to assure all our stakeholders that the NIPDB is efficiently equipped with the appropriate systems, processes and an excellent team that will continue to diligently discharge its statutory mandate during this transitional period and beyond."
Turbulent times
Uaandja has led the NIPDB since its establishment in 2021.
Her departure comes at a turbulent time for the NIPDB.
The board was created during former president Hage Geingob's tenure as a Section 21 company reporting directly to State House, rather than through an act of parliament.
Analysts say this has left the NIPDB vulnerable to political pressure.
Under president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the board has been stripped of some powers and had some of its functions shifted to the international relations and trade ministry, which now plans to table a bill in parliament to formalise the board and potentially redefine its mandate and structure.
Minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi did not respond to questions sent to her last week.
The investment board has over the years defended its chief executive and its track record, saying the investment pipeline facilitated by the NIPDB grew by 9% to N$175 billion during the 2024 financial year.
"The total value of projects that became operational in Namibia stood at N$2.9 billion, while a further N$24 billion worth of projects was recorded in deployed capital. It should be noted that not all investors that engage the NIPDB end up in the pipeline. Some of these investors find local partners with sufficient capacity on the ground to facilitate their activities in the country," NIPDB spokesperson Catherine Shipushu said earlier this year.
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'Giant petrol station'
Analyst Robin Sherbourne says the government is on the verge of making a strategic mistake which would cost it investment, growth and jobs.
He is referring to the potential downgrade of the NIPDB to a department within the newly restructured Ministry of International Relations and Trade.
"If we go back to the future by turning the NIPDB into the old, sleepy Namibia Investment Centre, the chances are that Namibia will turn into little more than a giant petrol station with a country attached," he says.
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