Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, who joined Namibia’s liberation struggle at 12, has become the country’s first female Prime Minister since 2015. She has since dedicated her life to contributing to the nation’s growth and expansion as Uganda’s first female Prime Minister.
Born on October 12, 1967, in Otamanzi, Okahao, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila experienced Namibia’s fight for independence. As a child, she left home to pursue her education in Sierra Leone before earning a degree in Economics from Lincoln University in the United States. When she returned home in 1994, she was prepared to impact her country.
In 2003, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila became Namibia’s Minister of Finance, making history as the youngest person to hold the position. As Finance Minister, she oversaw key economic growth initiatives, including the Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth (TIPEEG), which created 83,315 jobs over three years. She broke another record in 2015, becoming the country’s first female Prime Minister.
Building a stronger economy
In 2003, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila took charge of Namibia’s finances and played a key role in establishing economic stability and growth. She demonstrated her financial management skills by delivering Namibia’s first budget surplus.
In 2011, she led Namibia’s entry into the global capital market by securing a $500 million Eurobond with a 10-year maturity and a coupon rate of 5.5%, which resulted in a yield of 5.75%. This strategic move positioned Namibia globally and provided essential funding for infrastructure and development projects.
Under her supervision, the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) invested billions in infrastructure, education, and economic projects, making it a key driver of national development. She also encourages Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and ensures that local investors and workers benefit mutually from international investments.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila champions gender equality
As Prime Minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila leads gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) initiatives to ensure that women are included in national financial decisions. She has also enhanced the National Gender Policy to advance women’s rights in leadership roles and the workforce. Furthermore, she advocates for credit facilities to support women entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has been a strong advocate for reforms related to gender-based violence (GBV). She supports critical legal protections, including:
– The Combating of Rape Act of 2000 and the Combating of Domestic Violence Act of 2003, which aim to strengthen the legal response to abuse.
– The establishment of special courts to expedite the processing of GBV cases.
– The initiative for a Sexual Offender Registry to help prevent repeat offenses.
