National Arts Council of Namibia chairperson aims to double creative sector's GDP contribution

Lot Ndamanomhata, the newly appointed chairperson of the National Arts Council of Namibia, plans to increase the creative sector's economic contribution to the country from 1.5% to 3% of the national GDP under the sixth National Development Plan. He noted that Namibia's creative landscape is transitioning from uncoordinated operations to a more structured ecosystem. Between 2022 and 2024, 327 local film productions generated an average of N$122.5 million in spending and created over 2,400 jobs. Ndamanomhata acknowledged that policy, infrastructure, and financial deficits restrict the industry's capacity, with funding being the most pressing issue as many creative projects are self-financed due to artists' inability to meet credit requirements. The state's direct financial support is low, with a 2026/27 national budget allocation of approximately N$6.1 million for over 130,000 active creators. Namibian artists also face global digital hurdles, including exclusion from YouTube monetization and inactive PayPal payout functions. Ndamanomhata also highlighted the challenge of local art often only being celebrated after international validation. The new board is shifting its grant distribution strategy to enforce geographic inclusivity, aiming to reach all 121 constituencies. The council is currently running its second funding call for the 2026/27 cycle, with a deadline of July 3. Ndamanomhata called for immediate private sector intervention, stating that the national budget alone