Some members of Namibia’s National Assembly have commended the Ministry of International Relations and Trade for its active internship programme and urged the ministry to expand efforts to promote job opportunities for Namibians abroad.

Associate Professor Job Amupanda, MP and leader of the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, stressed the importance of ensuring that the government’s allocation of N$800 million to diplomats is effectively used to promote foreign policies that create employment opportunities for Namibians.

Rodrick Likando, an IPC MP, raised concerns about the ministry’s economic diplomacy projects, noting that only 30% of these initiatives have demonstrated a tangible socio-economic impact. He questioned what factors are hindering the transformation of diplomatic activities into measurable benefits for the nation.

Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, highlighted the underutilisation of Namibia’s quota at multilateral institutions. She urged the ministry to develop a concrete plan to increase the number of Namibians occupying positions abroad, noting that despite sharing opportunities on social media, the uptake remains low.

Responding to these concerns, Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi assured that all issues raised would be addressed in the ministry’s strategic plan.