Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history on Friday as she was sworn in as Namibia’s first female president, vowing to tackle unemployment and income inequality through economic diversification and agricultural investment.

At 72, Nandi-Ndaitwah takes the helm of a country that has experienced economic growth fueled by oil, gas, and green hydrogen investments but continues to struggle with high unemployment and one of the world’s worst income inequality rates, according to the World Bank.

In her inaugural speech, she emphasized the need to expand Namibia’s economy beyond its reliance on natural resources. “We are going to increase investments in the agriculture sector to increase output and meet domestic food requirements," she said, highlighting plans to invest in agriculture to boost food security and job creation.

Youth unemployment remains one of Namibia’s most pressing issues, and Nandi-Ndaitwah pledged to address it through economic reforms. She also underscored the importance of maintaining ethical governance and tackling corruption, an issue that has eroded public trust in her ruling SWAPO party.

Once a dominant political force, SWAPO’s support has declined over the past decade due to concerns over inequality, joblessness, and graft. In November’s presidential election, the party secured 57% of the vote down from 87% in 2014.

Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration was attended by several African leaders, signaling regional support for her leadership. Meanwhile, opposition parties that challenged the election results saw their case dismissed by the Supreme Court last month, clearing the way for her administration to begin implementing its agenda.