WINDHOEK — Namibia and China have agreed to deepen cooperation across mining, energy, infrastructure, agriculture and other key sectors following President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s state visit to China.
During talks in Beijing on July 10, President Nandi-Ndaitwah and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in areas considered important to Namibia’s industrialisation and economic diversification.
The two countries identified mining and mineral beneficiation, oil and gas, renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, technology, education and human resource development among priority areas for future cooperation.
Particular attention is expected to be given to Namibia’s mineral sector, including opportunities for greater local processing, technology transfer and skills development.
China also encouraged greater investment by Chinese companies in Namibia, alongside increased local procurement, employment creation and skills transfer.
The two countries further agreed to explore cooperation in logistics and maritime transport, including strengthening the role of Walvis Bay as a gateway linking Southern Africa to regional and international markets.
Namibia is seeking to accelerate industrialisation and create more employment by attracting investment into value-added industries rather than relying mainly on the export of raw materials.
The agreements build on longstanding economic ties between the two countries, with China already an important destination for Namibian exports and a significant investor in the country’s mining sector.