Navachab invests N$10m into Usakos SME park
QKR Navachab Gold Mine has invested N$10 million in the development of the Usakos SME Park, a project described as a strategic intervention to connect small businesses with regional and international markets.
Speaking at last week’s groundbreaking ceremony, Navachab Managing Director George Botshiwe said the investment forms part of reinvesting national resources back into communities.
“Though we mine gold, we are deeply aware that we are only custodians... Our responsibility is therefore not only to extract value, but to translate that value into meaningful and visible impact,” he said.
Botshiwe said the park will bring structure to local commerce, stimulate entrepreneurship, and attract business activity to the transit town. He added that the facility is expected to bring “visibility and dignity to local businesses”, while positioning Usakos for long-term commercial growth. Consultations with the town council guided the mine’s decision, which he said recognised Usakos as “a town of opportunity, with potential waiting to be unlocked”.
International relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said the investment comes at a time when Namibia is pushing for stronger participation in regional and global trade systems. She said the SME Park is intended to prepare entrepreneurs to meet international standards and compete beyond national borders.
“This SME Park... will prepare our youth and entrepreneurs to not only trade within Namibia but to compete in the global economy,” she said.
Ashipala-Musavyi added that the facility aligns with national goals of value addition, job creation, and foreign investment, and will help strengthen industrial participation in continental free trade areas. She said trade growth requires integrating small businesses into global supply chains.
“When we invest in our people, we invest in the long-term stability and global competitiveness of our nation,” she said.
Speaking at last week’s groundbreaking ceremony, Navachab Managing Director George Botshiwe said the investment forms part of reinvesting national resources back into communities.
“Though we mine gold, we are deeply aware that we are only custodians... Our responsibility is therefore not only to extract value, but to translate that value into meaningful and visible impact,” he said.
Botshiwe said the park will bring structure to local commerce, stimulate entrepreneurship, and attract business activity to the transit town. He added that the facility is expected to bring “visibility and dignity to local businesses”, while positioning Usakos for long-term commercial growth. Consultations with the town council guided the mine’s decision, which he said recognised Usakos as “a town of opportunity, with potential waiting to be unlocked”.
International relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said the investment comes at a time when Namibia is pushing for stronger participation in regional and global trade systems. She said the SME Park is intended to prepare entrepreneurs to meet international standards and compete beyond national borders.
“This SME Park... will prepare our youth and entrepreneurs to not only trade within Namibia but to compete in the global economy,” she said.
Ashipala-Musavyi added that the facility aligns with national goals of value addition, job creation, and foreign investment, and will help strengthen industrial participation in continental free trade areas. She said trade growth requires integrating small businesses into global supply chains.
“When we invest in our people, we invest in the long-term stability and global competitiveness of our nation,” she said.
