Overview: A milestone toward a comprehensive employment framework
In November 2025, Namibia took a decisive step toward strengthening its labor market with the convening of a high-level technical workshop in Swakopmund. The gathering, which brought together national experts, social partners, and government representatives, focused on drafting Namibia’s third National Employment Policy (NEP). The workshop underscored a shared commitment to a coherent, forward-looking framework that can guide job creation, skills development, and inclusive growth across the country.
Purpose and scope of the third NEP
The third iteration of the NEP aims to build on lessons learned from previous policies and align with Namibia’s broader development agenda. Key objectives include expanding job opportunities for youth and women, enhancing employability through targeted skills programs, and improving the match between labor supply and demand in both urban and rural areas. Policymakers emphasized that the NEP should be pragmatic, evidence-based, and adaptable to evolving economic conditions, including shocks that may arise from global market shifts or climate impacts.
Inclusive growth at the center
Stakeholders stressed that the NEP must be inclusive, addressing barriers faced by vulnerable groups such as young graduates, people in remote regions, and individuals with disabilities. The policy aims to foster entrepreneurship and self-employment while strengthening safety nets and retraining pathways for workers displaced by structural changes in the economy. By integrating social protection with labor market interventions, Namibia hopes to create sustainable livelihoods that stabilize households and communities.
Key areas of focus affirmed at the workshop
Participants identified several priority areas that will shape the NEP’s next drafting phase:
- Job creation and sectoral diversification: Encouraging investment in high-potential sectors and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to scale up hiring.
- Skills development and life-long learning: Aligning vocational training with market needs, expanding apprenticeships, and leveraging digital literacy to boost employability.
- Youth employment: Targeted programs to transition youths from schooling to work, including entrepreneurship opportunities and internship schemes.
- Gender equality in the labor market: Removing barriers to women’s participation and advancement in various sectors.
- Regional employment policy coherence: Ensuring that urban and rural efforts are complementary, with attention to regional resource endowments and demographic dynamics.
- Data and evidence-based policymaking: Improving labor market information systems to track trends, measure impact, and adjust strategies promptly.
Deliverables and timelines
With the Swakopmund workshop completed, the focus shifts to consolidating inputs into a draft NEP document. The process is designed to be participatory, inviting feedback from civil society, business associations, and academia. A clear timeline will be established to publish an initial draft, circulate it for review, and finalize the policy for government adoption. Stakeholders signaled their readiness to maintain momentum, recognizing that timely action can bolster investor confidence and accelerate inclusive growth.
Implications for workers and the economy
Namibia’s third NEP is positioned as a lever for reducing unemployment, especially among youth and women, while also equipping the workforce with adaptable skills for a changing economy. If implemented effectively, the policy can help diversify the economy beyond traditional sectors, promote regional development, and enhance resilience to external shocks. The collaboration evident in Swakopmund signals a renewed social contract where government, employers, and workers collaborate to build a robust labor market.
Conclusion: A proactive step toward sustainable employment
The Swakopmund workshop marks a significant milestone in Namibia’s journey to comprehensive employment governance. By centering inclusivity, evidence-based planning, and sectoral diversification, the third NEP aims to deliver durable job opportunities and improved livelihoods for Namibians across the country. As drafting progresses, ongoing participation and transparent communication will be essential to translating policy into measurable gains for workers and the broader economy.
