Shihaleni Ellis Ndjaba has been named chief executive officer of Namibia Diamond Trading Company, effective Jan. 1, 2008.

Ndjaba, who is currently permanent secretary in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, and Chairman of the Board of NDTC, will now rescind both positions to serve as CEO. 

In his role as the permanent secretary, Ndjaba was responsible for coordinating all policy issues in the Ministry, namely budgeting, securing of international financing, and the development of infrastructure and will bring these skills to bear in his new position at NDTC.

Ndjaba was previously deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance, where his responsibilities included the management of macro—economic issues such as the fiscal policy in conjunction with the Bank of Namibia, and the regulation of financial institution in conjunction with NAMFISA. Ndjaba has also served as acting CEO of the Agricultural Bank of Namibia and director at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Ndjaba holds a Master’s of Science degree in Financial Economics from the University of London, an MBA from Brunel University in the U.K., and an Master’s of Science in General Maritime Administration from the World Maritime University in Sweden.

“This appointment marks another milestone in meeting our objective of providing maximum long-term value from diamonds to Namibia by developing world class sorting, valuing, selling and marketing practices in the country,” said Varda Shine, managing director of DTC Intl., who replaces Ndjaba as chairman of the Board of NDTC. “The CEO will play a crucial role in supporting the establishment of a sustainable and efficient diamond industry to benefit the whole of Namibia.”

JCK