Omaheke Engages Chinese Embassy on Housing, Agriculture and Economic Cooperation

A delegation from the Omaheke Regional Council met with the China’s Ambassador to Namibia, His Excellency Zhao Weiping, on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, to discuss strategic partnership opportunities aimed at improving service delivery, job creation, and economic development in the region.

While the delegation, led by Council’s Chairperson, Honourable Rocco Nguvauva, expressed gratitude for China’s support over the years, emphasis was made on the need for that footprint to be more visible in Omaheke.

Meeting Outcomes:

1. Housing and Sanitation: The Council will liaise with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to fast-track an agreement with China to construct housing units in Gobabis. Priority will be given to finalising and implementing this project before initiating new project proposals.

To address immediate needs in informal settlements, the delegation proposed sourcing cost-effective building materials and machinery to construct ablution facilities and improve quality.

2. Economic Development and Industrialisation: The delegation expressed the region’s desire to attract investment that creates jobs and addresses poverty. His Excellency Weiping highlighted China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries as a major opportunity for Namibian products.

Specific reference was made to the newly-acquired land at Buitepos and how it can be optimally utilised to set up factories and processing plants. The Council will, therefore, share its Strategic Plan with the Embassy once published to allow China to explore direct partnerships with Chinese agro-processing companies interested in setting up plants in Omaheke. 

3. Agriculture, Food Security and Value-addition: The delegation highlighted that agriculture is Omaheke’s biggest economic driver, highlighting that the region has the highest cattle population in Namibia. This presents a strong base for export and value addition. 

His Excellency Weiping noted that China represents a new market for Namibian beef. However, for sustainability, importers require a stable supply. Namibia must first satisfy existing demand to South Africa and Europe before expanding volumes to China. 

The delegation further stressed the need to move away from exporting livestock “on the hoof.” Value addition was discussed extensively – learning how China transitioned from raw exports to processing.

4. Capacity Building and Youth Empowerment: There was strong consensus on the need for youth empowerment. While the delegation expressed gratitude for China’s support over the years, emphasis was made on the need for that footprint to be more visible in Omaheke. 

The delegation noted that there is much both countries can learn from each other, particularly through exchange programmes. His Excellency Weiping confirmed that capacity building programmes, specifically training programmes offered in China, are already being submitted to the National Planning Commission (NPC) annually for Namibians to apply.

There is a need to formalise youth and technical skills exchange programmes with Chinese institutions and provinces, focusing on construction, agro-processing, and manufacturing to support the projects discussed.

This engagement forms part of the Council’s broader goal to address socio-economic challenges, uplift communities, and ensure development assistance translates into tangible benefits for residents.

His Excellency Weiping reaffirmed China’s commitment to Africa and advised the Council to coordinate regional development assistance proposals through central government, particularly the line ministry, MURD and NPC.