In a recent interview with Namibia’s Prime Minister Hage Geingob, The Africa Report revisited infrastructure and economic initiatives implemented by government, inquiring about about status and overall satisfaction.

Despite establishing Epangelo — a national mining company — Geingob said that the country is still dealing with poverty because of joint venture tax restrictions and more importantly unpolished resources and minerals.

“In fact, the unemployment and poverty that we are still facing is because we don’t add value to our resources. So really, unless we add value at home to our resources – such as in Botswana, where they are now polishing diamonds and so on – we will be missing out,” he said in the report.

“That is the way you transfer technology and create jobs. So we are telling even the fishing companies that they must have plans to add value so that we can train our people and create industry. So far, it’s working. Swakopmund, on the coast, is developing because of the fishing industry,” he added, noting Namibia’s dependency on joint venture taxes and royalties for mineral revenue.

Aside from raising the science and innovation bar, Geingob said that the government will also focus on inclusion and bettering education, poverty issues and infrastructure across the country.

“Without peace or unity, you cannot talk about building infrastructure, clinics and hospitals. People are fighting when one group believes they are left out, they don’t see themselves in the government. So we believe in inclusivity,” he said.

“We must compel to build One Namibia, One Nation. In this nation, everybody must feel they are welcome, that they have a role to play. Once you have that, the rest will follow.”