Namibia’s newly elected President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has unveiled a streamlined cabinet, appointing key ministers while reducing the number of portfolios to improve efficiency. Among the top appointments, Ericah Shafudah will serve as finance minister, while Lucia Witbooi takes on the role of vice president. The move, Nandi-Ndaitwah said, aims to cut government costs, eliminate redundancies, and enhance policy execution.
Namibia’s newly elected President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has announced a streamlined cabinet, appointing key figures to lead the country’s economic and diplomatic sectors.
In a televised address on Saturday, Nandi-Ndaitwah named Ericah Shafudah as finance minister and Lucia Witbooi as vice president. Other notable appointments include Natangwe Ithete as mines and energy minister and Selma Ashipala-Musavyi as foreign affairs and trade minister.
Shafudah, who brings 21 years of experience from the finance ministry, previously served as executive director before joining the World Food Programme in 2021.
As Namibia’s first female president, Nandi-Ndaitwah has reduced the cabinet from 21 ministers and 21 deputies to 14 ministers and seven deputies. She stated that merging offices and reallocating responsibilities would eliminate duplication, reduce government spending, and enhance policy implementation.
The management of emerging industries, such as oil and gas, will now fall under the president’s office.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, took office on Friday after her SWAPO party’s election victory in November. She has pledged to boost agricultural investments and diversify the resource-driven economy to tackle high unemployment.
