Nandi-Ndaitwah pushes for Namibia-SA industrial shift
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is advocating for a shift in the trade relationship between Namibia and South Africa, moving away from raw material exports toward industrialization and value addition. She emphasized the potential for partnerships in green hydrogen, energy, and manufacturing to drive regional economic growth.
Why it matters
This reflects a broader trend in African economic policy aimed at reducing dependency on raw material exports and fostering local manufacturing.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for Namibia and South Africa to move beyond their traditional trade relationship by investing in industrialisation, value addition and regional manufacturing to create jobs and drive economic growth.
Speaking at the just concluded South Africa-Namibia business forum in Midrand, South Africa, on Friday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the two countries have built strong political ties but must now translate them into meaningful economic cooperation that benefits their people.
She said South Africa remains Namibia’s biggest trading partner, supplying manufactured goods, machinery, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals and vehicles, while Namibia exports minerals, fish, livestock and agricultural products.
However, the president said the current trade pattern, where raw materials are exported and finished products imported, must change.
“If we are to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth, we must progressively shift toward greater industrialisation, value addition and regional manufacturing,” she said.
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