Tobie Aupindi, a member of the Swapo Party, has endorsed the 2025-2026 Appropriations Bill, advocating for more profound structural changes to Namibia's economic structure.

He, however, warned of risks associated with petroleum discoveries and persistent inequalities in market access.

Dr. Aupindi noted that the global economic environment remains fragile, with growth projections below historical averages. 

Namibia, he stressed, is not immune to these pressures, citing the decline in national growth from 4.4% in 2023 to 3.7% in 2024.

He expressed concern over Namibia's growing public debt, which now stands at N$165.9 billion, saying borrowing must be channelled into projects that yield a return on investment rather than operational spending.

"We must ensure that our economy is competitive in order to turn Namibia into a beacon of hope. Namibians don't own the market economy, so regulating or compensating it is not enough; we must restructure it."

Dr. Aupindi emphasised the need for a radical rethink of the Red Line veterinary cordon fence, labelling it as a system that entrenches inequality between rural and commercial farming economies. 

He criticised continued claims that northern meat is unfit for consumption, saying that if quarantine and certification systems are improved, northern farmers should be able to move their livestock freely.

The Swapo Party MP proposed an interim policy where, if the northern regions can meet their own meat demand, meat from southern commercial areas should be barred from being sold in the north until what he describes as discriminatory practices are eliminated. 

The MP also raised alarm over the lack of adequate legal and strategic frameworks to manage the emerging oil and gas sector in the country, urging swift action to protect national sovereignty.

"While oil players have been pushing aggressive petroleum work programmes, the country's legal, policy and security frameworks have been lagging behind. This is a clear and present danger to the country. Namibia must act proactively before it's too late."

Dr. Aupindi also expressed concern over the decline in SACU receipts, warning that SACU economies face a new form of neocolonialism due to one-sided industrial innovation. He called for a review of the SACU Agreement to promote greater equity and inclusive industrial development.