Building a Future of Fair Work and Ethical Growth: Namibia Charts a New Course for Responsible Trade and Investment
Written By Maxine Ansah
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In a significant stride towards inclusive and sustainable development, Namibia has adopted a national roadmap to advance responsible business conduct and decent work in trade and investment. The roadmap, developed through a multi-stakeholder workshop held in Windhoek from 30 September to 2 October, signals a firm national commitment to ethical, fair and socially responsible economic growth.
The National SUSTAIN Workshop, themed “Advancing Decent Work through Responsible Business Conduct and International Labour Standards in Trade and Investment in Namibia”, brought together representatives from government, employers’ and workers’ organisations, alongside international partners. The dialogue explored how Namibia can strengthen the links between trade, investment, and labour rights to ensure that economic progress benefits all segments of society.
The event formed part of the SUSTAIN Project, an initiative supported by the European Union and implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The project works with Southern African countries to integrate international labour standards and responsible business principles into their trade and investment frameworks. Its goal is to promote sustainable growth that upholds human rights, decent work, and fair labour practices across the region.
During the opening session, Deputy Executive Director Ms. Aune Mudjanima, representing the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, emphasised the importance of using existing international tools to strengthen Namibia’s commitment to decent work. “We have a tool that has been in place for over 40 years, the ILO MNE Declaration, which is designed to help us deepen our understanding and promote the Decent Work agenda in the private sector. Therefore, let us, together, take advantage of this workshop to shape a future where trade and investment serve not only economic gain but also the dignity, security, and prosperity of all Namibians,” she said.
H.E. Ms. Ana Beatriz Martins, EU Ambassador to Namibia, reaffirmed the European Union’s support for Namibia’s pursuit of responsible business conduct. She stressed that sustainable investments create stronger communities. “By focusing on responsible business conduct, guided by frameworks, laws, and political will, we can create an environment where investments truly benefit society. When businesses operate responsibly and in alignment with international standards, they contribute to both economic and social progress,” she said.
The workshop also featured insights from Ms. Githa Roelans, Head of the Multinational Enterprises and Responsible Business Conduct Unit at the ILO, who highlighted the growing movement across Africa to integrate decent work and human rights into trade and investment policies. She noted that countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and Mozambique are taking similar steps through legislative and policy frameworks. According to her, the ILO’s role is crucial, not only through its tripartite structure but also through its normative instruments such as the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy.
Participants at the workshop agreed on a national roadmap to guide the promotion and implementation of responsible business practices in Namibia. The roadmap identifies several key priorities, including job creation through value addition, the reduction of informality, and the strengthening of social dialogue as a means of supporting enterprise and national development.
Among the concrete actions outlined are the appointment of national focal points to promote the ILO MNE Declaration, conduct stakeholder mapping, and undertake a policy review to identify gaps and opportunities for advancing responsible business conduct. These steps are expected to enhance policy coherence and foster collaboration among key institutions and sectors.
The roadmap marks a pivotal moment in Namibia’s journey towards an economy that balances growth with social justice. By aligning its trade and investment policies with international labour standards, Namibia is positioning itself not only as a competitive investment destination but also as a champion of ethical and inclusive development in Southern Africa.
About the SUSTAIN Project
The SUSTAIN Project, formally titled “Promoting decent work and capacity building for labour ministries, labour inspections and social partners to advance international labour standards and responsible business conduct (RBC) through sustainable trade and investments in Southern Africa (SUSTAIN – Southern Africa)”, aims to harness trade and investment for decent work opportunities for all. Funded by the European Union, it operates under the guidance of the ILO MNE Declaration and other global frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct.
Through collaboration with governments, employers, and workers’ organisations, SUSTAIN seeks to strengthen regional integration, promote fair labour practices, and ensure that businesses in Southern Africa contribute positively to people and planet.