Namibia, Tanzania urged to deepen trade

Staff Reporter

PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for Namibia and Tanzania to transform their long-standing political friendship into stronger economic cooperation, urging businesses in both countries to drive industrialisation, investment and intra-African trade.

Speaking at the Tanzania–Namibia Business Forum in Dar es Salaam during her State Visit to Tanzania, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the next phase of Africa’s development must focus on achieving economic independence through deeper collaboration between governments and the private sector.

The Business Forum formed part of the President’s three-day State Visit to Tanzania, where she also held bilateral talks with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The two leaders discussed trade, mining, agriculture, infrastructure development, investment and regional integration, while reaffirming the historic ties forged during Africa’s liberation struggle.

Photos: Namibian Presidency

Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia and Tanzania enjoy excellent political relations rooted in decades of solidarity, but added that economic cooperation has yet to fully reflect the strength of those ties.

“We need to bring about economic independence. Our governments and private sector are crucial partners and need to work together for that independence to be achieved,” she said.

The President explained that she deliberately travelled to Tanzania with a Namibian business delegation to create opportunities for partnerships and investment between businesses from the two countries.

She said the forum was intended to help transform longstanding political cooperation into meaningful economic collaboration capable of creating jobs, industries and prosperity for citizens of both nations.

Reflecting on the historical relationship between the two countries, Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to Tanzania’s support during Namibia’s liberation struggle, noting that many Namibians found refuge, education and political support in Tanzania during the fight for independence.

“The people of Namibia have never forgotten that support and we never will,” she said.

She described Tanzania as more than a friendly country, saying it had served as a second home to many Namibians during the liberation struggle.

The President stressed that Africa’s next challenge is economic liberation, arguing that the continent can no longer rely on exporting raw materials while importing finished products.

“Our political liberation is largely complete. Our economic liberation remains unfinished,” she said.

She identified industrialisation, value addition, manufacturing, innovation and job creation as critical priorities for African countries seeking sustainable economic growth.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also urged African businesses to take greater advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying its success would depend not only on governments but also on the willingness of businesses to trade, invest and cooperate across borders.

She highlighted several sectors where Namibia and Tanzania could strengthen cooperation, including agriculture and agro-processing, mining and mineral beneficiation, oil and gas, renewable energy, logistics, tourism, manufacturing, technology and the blue economy.

The President further challenged African businesses and consumers to place greater trust in African products and enterprises.

“If we trusted one another enough to fight together for freedom, surely we can trust one another enough to trade together for prosperity,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said economic partnerships should ultimately be measured by their impact on ordinary people, particularly through job creation, skills development, entrepreneurship and opportunities for young people.

She warned that Africa could not afford to delay economic transformation while the rest of the world rapidly advances through technological innovation and new industries.

The President also promoted Namibia as a competitive investment destination, highlighting the country’s logistics infrastructure, natural resources, manufacturing potential and investor-friendly environment.

She pointed to the Port of Walvis Bay as a strategic gateway linking Southern Africa to regional and international markets and said stronger connections between Walvis Bay and Tanzanian ports could enhance trade between Eastern and Southern Africa.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said both governments have a responsibility to create policy certainty, efficient institutions, transparent regulations and reliable infrastructure to support private sector growth.

She concluded by calling on African countries to move beyond discussions and translate opportunities into practical economic outcomes.

“Let us move beyond potential to production. Let us move beyond hesitation to action,” she said.

The President expressed confidence that the forum would contribute to stronger Tanzania–Namibia economic relations and advance the shared goal of building a prosperous, industrialised and interconnected Africa.

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