Namibia and the Resource Curse

Namibia and the Resource Curse

From The Flying Frisby - money, markets and more by Dominic Frisby

April 19, 2026 · 6 min

About this episode

Dominic Frisby discusses his observations and reflections on Namibia's potential and challenges after his recent visit.

Good Sunday to youI’m still finding my feet having just got back from Namibia. I’ve got a full country report coming, as well as a portfolio piece. But I’ve been thinking further about the country’s potential since Wednesday’s note . Namibia has almost everything. Resources. Location. Roads. A small population. On paper, it should work. And yet. Driving through Windhoek, the capital, my guide pointed out a hospital: the Katutura State Hospital. “You don’t want to get sick here,” he said. It didn’t look too bad from the outside. A bit craggy. But I’ve seen worse. The place is infamous apparently. Rats. Endless waits. People lying untreated in corridors. People deliberately go at 3 in the morning, because it betters your chances of being seen the next day. My guide described his own time there when he broke his arm last year. Oof. It makes NHS Accident and Emergency waiting times look slick. Across the road, stood a gleaming monstrosity - the SWAPO (ruling party) headquarters. Brand new. Vulgar. Expensive. Impossible to miss. It wasn’t discreetly tucked away. It was right there, bearing down on the hospital. My first reaction was simply how ugly it is. A few years and that will…

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Host: Dominic Frisby

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: SWAPO, Katutura State Hospital

Places: Namibia, Windhoek

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