An agreement to revive the Ondangwa Northern Tannery project, which has been dormant for 15 years, was signed in Windhoek on Friday. 

The operational agreement for the tannery was signed between the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) and the investor Desert Planet Industries (NPI).

The Ondangwa Northern Tannery Project was established in 2002 with the aim to process raw hides into finished leather for exports. 

Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Natangue Ithete, at the signing event, said, "We are aware of challenges that hinder the initial operation of the Ondangwa Northern Tannery. Despite our best intentions, several factors have delayed production, leading to the facility being dormant for 15 years. We are therefore fortunate to have learnt from the past challenges and given this chance to incorporate the lessons learnt in this new chapter of the operation."

The chairperson of NIDA is Sebby Kankondi.

"The northern tannery is to be developed into a sustainable leather processing factory providing finished leather for further leather value addition and manufacturing of leather products. The ministry of industries, mines and energy, NIDA and the operator are to cooperate for the purpose of corporating in developing and managing the northern tannery." 

Desert Planet Industries Director Katamba Sivute remarked that they invested N$58 million for a period of 25 years. 

"Our investment in the Ondangwa Northern Tannery is not merely a business decision - it is a pledge to foster economic growth, nurture local talent, and help build a brighter future for Namibia. We envision this tannery as a catalyst for change: a hub of innovation and creativity and a symbol of our unwavering dedication to the progress of our nation."

Operations are expected to start in March next year; it plans to employ 20 to 30 employees in the first three years of operation, and it will be manufacturing shoes.