Oranjemund ready to boom
The Oranjemund Town Council (OTC) is working hard to attract investors and businesses to the town.
“We have a strategic plan that speaks to the developmental agenda of the town and available investment opportunities. One of our focus areas is energy. Oil and gas have been discovered in the Orange Basin, and Oranjemund happens to be the closest town to this discovery. It is quite a game changer for us,” said Festus Nekayi, acting CEO of the OTC.
Oil and gas - According to Nekayi, the OTC is monitoring all activities related to the discovery closely. “It is still early days. They are looking at possibilities, and we are trying to position ourselves to benefit from all the activities being undertaken at the moment. We are part of the planning and want to be at the forefront of those activities and projects as they unfold,” he said.
Agriculture - Nekayi also identified agribusiness as an untapped opportunity. “We have the Orange River right on our doorstep, and there is underutilised land available. We are in talks with some investors to see whether there are opportunities to produce food. A trial run is being conducted to test which types of crops can be grown in Oranjemund.”
Property development – He highlighted the potential within the property sector. “There is a serious backlog in terms of housing and accommodation in Oranjemund, and anyone involved in property development is most welcome to explore what the sector has to offer. We conducted a survey and established that more than 2 000 low-income residents need housing,” Nekayi said.
Tourism - Oranjemund also offers numerous tourism-related opportunities and attractions. “There is much to explore when it comes to Oranjemund. We want to keep it that way while maximising the opportunities we have. Nowhere else in Namibia will you see an oryx or springbok walking around in town. The Orange River runs into the Atlantic Ocean near the town and is a sight to behold. Our museum also offers activities,” Nekayi said.
Supporting SMEs – The construction of a N$70 million business park is underway, with the first phase (N$4.3 million) nearing completion. “Oranjemund does not have a business park or an open market setting, and the idea is to encourage diverse commercial activities. We want this to be a place where people, especially SMEs, can carry out their trading activities. The SME units and fencing of the property have been completed, and roof shading will be installed before October,” said Nekayi. The application process for the business units will be advertised.
Festival and conference – The Diamond Festival, followed by an investment conference, is another initiative the OTC is pursuing to drive local economic development and attract investors to Oranjemund. “The event allows us to talk to investors while showcasing the opportunities available. The festival has helped us implement several ideas, but we still have a long way to go in terms of securing major investments,” Nekayi said.
He added: “We are planning to host the Diamond Festival on a smaller scale at the end of October or early November due to the local and regional elections.”
“We have a strategic plan that speaks to the developmental agenda of the town and available investment opportunities. One of our focus areas is energy. Oil and gas have been discovered in the Orange Basin, and Oranjemund happens to be the closest town to this discovery. It is quite a game changer for us,” said Festus Nekayi, acting CEO of the OTC.
Oil and gas - According to Nekayi, the OTC is monitoring all activities related to the discovery closely. “It is still early days. They are looking at possibilities, and we are trying to position ourselves to benefit from all the activities being undertaken at the moment. We are part of the planning and want to be at the forefront of those activities and projects as they unfold,” he said.
Agriculture - Nekayi also identified agribusiness as an untapped opportunity. “We have the Orange River right on our doorstep, and there is underutilised land available. We are in talks with some investors to see whether there are opportunities to produce food. A trial run is being conducted to test which types of crops can be grown in Oranjemund.”
Property development – He highlighted the potential within the property sector. “There is a serious backlog in terms of housing and accommodation in Oranjemund, and anyone involved in property development is most welcome to explore what the sector has to offer. We conducted a survey and established that more than 2 000 low-income residents need housing,” Nekayi said.
Tourism - Oranjemund also offers numerous tourism-related opportunities and attractions. “There is much to explore when it comes to Oranjemund. We want to keep it that way while maximising the opportunities we have. Nowhere else in Namibia will you see an oryx or springbok walking around in town. The Orange River runs into the Atlantic Ocean near the town and is a sight to behold. Our museum also offers activities,” Nekayi said.
Supporting SMEs – The construction of a N$70 million business park is underway, with the first phase (N$4.3 million) nearing completion. “Oranjemund does not have a business park or an open market setting, and the idea is to encourage diverse commercial activities. We want this to be a place where people, especially SMEs, can carry out their trading activities. The SME units and fencing of the property have been completed, and roof shading will be installed before October,” said Nekayi. The application process for the business units will be advertised.
Festival and conference – The Diamond Festival, followed by an investment conference, is another initiative the OTC is pursuing to drive local economic development and attract investors to Oranjemund. “The event allows us to talk to investors while showcasing the opportunities available. The festival has helped us implement several ideas, but we still have a long way to go in terms of securing major investments,” Nekayi said.
He added: “We are planning to host the Diamond Festival on a smaller scale at the end of October or early November due to the local and regional elections.”
