Windhoek: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reaffirmed government's commitment to elevating Namibia's creative industries as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and national renewal.

According to Namibia Press Agency, in remarks delivered on her behalf by Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp at the 26th Annual Bank of Namibia (BoN) Symposium on Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the theme 'Unleashing the Power of the Creative Industries: A Catalyst for Economic Development in Namibia' captures the heartbeat of the country's transformation agenda.

The president highlighted that the creative economy has become one of the world's fastest-growing sectors, contributing more than 3 per cent to the global GDP and employing over 6 per cent of the world's workforce. She emphasized that Namibia has all the necessary ingredients to harness this potential through its youthful and tech-savvy population.

Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that the creative sector currently contributes 1.5 per cent to Namibia's GDP, with a national target to double that to 3 per cent within five years. She stated that the government has increased funding for arts and cultural initiatives, strengthened partnerships with Unesco, and channelled support through the Namibia Film Commission and the National Arts Council.

She further highlighted the N.dollars 257 million National Youth Development Fund, which supports young creatives, and called for accessible, affordable, and secure digital payment systems to help artists monetise their work globally. "When creatives can produce, monetise and be fairly compensated, Namibia will move from consuming culture to exporting it with pride," she said.

BoN Deputy Governor, Ebson Uanguta, remarked that the symposium seeks to explore how creativity can drive diversification and job creation. "Culture is not just soft power; culture is economic power," he said, stressing that Namibia's creatives shape how the nation sees itself and how the world perceives it.