Formulating strategic interventions for the coloured gemstone industry in Namibia by utilising the logical framework approach

Abstract

Namibia has been unable to develop an internationally competitive coloured gemstones and related industry due to poor coordination between key stakeholders in the sector. In addition, a large amount of practice-informed knowledge is not documented or publicly shared. Furthermore, the contribution of the Namibian coloured gemstones industry to the national development of the economy is not fully maximised and the sector value chain in Namibia does not function in a way that would benefit the communities and local government. Since the sector is beset with many challenges, this study focused on the means to address these challenges while simultaneously attempting to limit the flow of illicit, raw gemstones, thereby helping to secure maximum benefits for the country. A baseline study was conducted to analyse the current situation and characterise the industry, including a SWOT/TOWS analysis. A Logical Framework Approach (LFA) was used to formulate the interventions to move the coloured gemstone industry in Namibia from a cost-based sector to a high value-added and competitive brand in the global market. The five key strategic interventions areas were identified by the stakeholders and these are primary production and input supply, transformation and technology, product distribution and trade, service delivery and business environment.