The Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) Limited has launched an innovative hub for manufacturing medical consumables, including specimen tubes, at a cost exceeding N$14 million in Swakopmund.

This Manufacturing Hub is expected to create direct employment for 15 professional scientists in its initial phase, along with positions for process engineers, technicians, quality control officers, security personnel, cost accountants, cleaners, dispatchers, and drivers. As production scales up, plans are in place to expand employment to over 20 jobs.

The impact of this initiative goes well beyond the factory floor. In collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM), the facility will serve as a training ground for future engineers and innovators.

Students from NUST’s FabLab, who are already proficient in 3D prototyping, will work together to design next-generation medical devices.

This collaboration between academia and industry ensures that Namibian youth are empowered to be job creators and solution architects rather than just job seekers.