The Namibian government has approved a proposal by a Chinese company to produce tobacco on one of Namibia's most fertile pieces of land, despite strong opposition from members of the public, The Namibian reported.

Information Minister Stanley Simataa announced Thursday that the Cabinet has allowed Namibia Oriental Tobacco CC to grow tobacco on a 10,000 hectare farm in Liselo in the Zambezi region. According to the report, he company said the project will be worth about NAD 14 billion (EUR 842 million).
Over the years, the Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR) has publicly opposed the proposal to grow tobacco in Namibia at the expense of food. AR leader Job Amupanda said in a letter to President Hage Geingob that the Cabinet decision to allow the Chinese company to grow tobacco was unlawful and in violation of existing laws. He said the decision risks being reversed by a competent court of law, according to the report.