Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT)

Join us as we celebrate Africa Day 2026! 🌍✨ The Ministry of International Relations and Trade, in collaboration with the African Group of Ambassadors, cordially invites the public to join in commemoration of Africa Day under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” 📅 Date: 25 May 2026 ⏰ Time: 10h00 📍 Venue: Parliament Gardens, Windhoek Come celebrate Africa’s unity, culture, and shared vision for a sustainable future. #AfricaDay2026 #Agenda2063 #WaterSecurity #SanitationForAll #Namibia

SITE VISITS | Hon. Jenelly Matundu, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade, led the Namibian delegation to a meeting with TRAIDENIS in the City of Alytus on 14 May 2026. The city is located 105 km away from Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania. TRAIDENIS is a company which, among others, specialises in the production of equipment used for wastewater treatment and equipment used for the production of fertiliser as well as equipment for fish farming.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS | Hon. Jenelly Matundu, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade, had a meeting with representatives from NRD Cyber Security to discuss cooperation in the field of cybersecurity. During the meeting, the Honourable Deputy Minister outlined Namibia’s landscape in terms of ICT and, in particular, the cybersecurity landscape. The Namibian delegation also explored opportunities for capacity building for Namibians, with a focus on cybersecurity and digital infrastructure development. This training is funded by the EU through the Global Gateway Initiative. On the same day, Hon. Matundu also held a meeting with NRD Companies which specialises in developing digital solutions aimed at enhancing government services. NRD Companies expressed its willingness and readiness to assist Namibia in developing a tailored-made digital system which will be used to enhance Tax Administration, and particularly to improve VAT collection across Namibia. The meetings took place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 14 May 2026

Namibia-EU Business Forum Concludes | The 2nd Namibia-EU Business Forum successfully concluded in Windhoek on 13 May 2026. During the 3-day event discussions focused on trade, investment, green industrialisation, critical raw materials, agribusiness, the automotive industry, and the creative sector, paving the way for new investment and job creation opportunities. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Hon. Amb. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade, noted that the forum demonstrated Namibia’s commitment to strategic partnerships that support industrialization, value addition, job creation and economic transformation. On her part, H.E. Ana Beatriz Martins, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Namibia, said the forum confirmed that the Namibia EU partnership is growing and delivering job and investment opportunities for Namibians. The closing ceremony also saw the signing and announcement of several strategic initiatives aimed at advancing Namibia’s green industrialisation goals and institutional development. These include the “Making Lüderitz Town Fit for the Future” project, support to the Namibian Standards Institution, the Namibia window of the EU PanAfGeo+ programme, and the development of Namibia’s National Critical Raw Materials Strategy.

POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS | Hon. Jenelly Matundu, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade, met with H.E. Vidmantas Verbickas, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania responsible for economic security policy, on 13 May 2026, during the Second Political Consultations between Namibia and Lithuania, which took place in Vilnius, Lithuania. During the Political Consultations, the two countries discussed various issues of common interest, including ways in which trade and investment relations could be enhanced. During the meeting, the two countries identified potential areas for bilateral cooperation such as cooperation in the area of agriculture including cooperation to help Namibia set up its own fertilizer manufacturing plant, cooperation in the field of education, science, digitalisation and innovation, cooperation in the field of oil and gas, and industrial cooperation with a specific focus on training Namibians on product standardisation and compliance to increase and diversify Namibia’s exports to different markets including to the European market.

NAMIBIA-EU BUSINESS FORUM | Ms. Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, Executive Director in the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, today delivered keynote opening remarks during two plenary sessions at the ongoing Namibia-EU Business Forum in Windhoek, focusing on “Namibia-EU Trade Journey, A Partnership in Motion” and “Invest in Namibia – The Investment Policy and Regulatory Framework.” Ms. Nghipondoka-Robiati highlighted the importance of the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), noting that it continues to strengthen trade relations between Namibia and the European Union by providing duty-free and quota-free access for Namibian exports to the European market. She stressed the need for increased industrialisation, value addition and export diversification to ensure Namibia fully benefits from the partnership, while also highlighting the growing potential of Namibian products in international markets. On investment, the Executive Director described Namibia as an attractive and stable investment destination, underpinned by the rule of law and investor protection. She noted growing investment opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, oil and gas, green hydrogen, agriculture and manufacturing. Ms. Nghipondoka-Robiati further informed participants that Namibia is finalising a revised investment law aimed at improving the ease of doing business, promoting sustainable development and strengthening investment facilitation in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). She also highlighted Namibia’s commitment to strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships with the European Union and encouraged stakeholders to continue identifying practical solutions to unlock sustainable trade and investment opportunities. The Namibia-EU Business Forum, which commenced on 11 May 2026, will conclude today.

Strengthening Namibia and EU Trade Relations Through Strategic Partnership Day 2 of the Namibia EU Business Forum spotlights the evolving trade and investment relationship between Namibia and the European Union under the theme, "Namibia EU Trade Journey, A Partnership in Motion." The EU remains one of Namibia's key export markets, driving economic growth, industrialisation and job creation across fisheries, agriculture, mining and manufacturing. Notably, Namibia maintains a trade surplus with the EU, exporting more than it imports, reflecting the growing competitiveness of Namibian products in the European market. Executive Director at the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, Ndiitah Nghipondoka - Robiati, emphasised that unlocking Namibia's full trade and investment potential requires coordinated efforts, stronger linkages and continued collaboration to address barriers and create opportunities on both sides. EU Ambassador to Namibia Ana Beatriz Martins reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to supporting Namibia's ambitions in trade, green industrialisation and sustainable investment. Discussions further highlighted the urgent need to move beyond raw material exports toward greater value addition, local processing and industrial development, in line with Namibia's economic transformation agenda and NDP6 priorities. Speakers noted that this shift is not only critical for long-term competitiveness but also for creating sustainable, quality jobs across key sectors. The SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement was highlighted as a key enabler of market access and business confidence, supporting over 40,000 Namibian jobs linked to EU exports. As Namibia positions itself as a hub for green industrialisation and renewable energy, partnerships like these are essential to driving inclusive growth and long-term prosperity. #NamibiaEUForum #TradePartnership #GreenIndustrialisation #InvestNamibia #NIPDB

KEY TAKEAWAY | 📊 Presented at the 2nd Namibia–EU Business Forum, new independent trade analysis by economist Robin Sherbourne showcases how EU–Namibia trade is driving jobs, diversification and economic growth. 🚢 In 2025, the EU remained one of Namibia’s top 3 export markets, accounting for nearly 20% of total exports and supporting more than 40,000 Namibian jobs, especially in fishing, meat, fruit and charcoal production. 🌍 The report highlights how Namibia exports a more diversified range of products to the EU than to many other major markets, helping strengthen resilience, expand value addition and create opportunities across sectors. 🔑 Key findings: ✅ N$17.6 billion in Namibian exports to the EU in 2025 ✅ More than 46,000 jobs linked to exports to the EU ✅ Namibia recorded a trade surplus with the EU in 2025 ✅ Fish, uranium, meat, fruit and charcoal ranked among the leading exports 🤝 Strong trade partnerships create real opportunities for growth, investment and employment. Business Forum hosted in partnership with: @mirt_namibia @nipdb

BILATERAL ENGAGEMENT| On the margins of the Forward Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, H.E. Lucia Witbooi, Vice-President, accompanied by Amb. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade, met with Ambassador Eva Nguyen Binh, President of the Institut de France, on 12 May 2026 to strengthen cooperation in the cultural and creative industries. Her Excellency the Vice President highlighted the long standing cultural cooperation between Namibia and France through the Franco-Namibia Cultural Centre (FNCC), which for the past 30 years has showcased French culture and supported Namibian artists and cultural projects. Read more on: /share/p/17irQu7HbD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Meet Ambassador @albertusaochamub interim CEO of @meatco_namibia the countries largest meat processing company and only company to export Namibian products to the EU.

Meet @emeraldsandplatforms bringing Namibias, Tourism, Sports and Creative and Cultural Industries to the world digitally at the #eunamibiabusinessforum

BILATERAL ENGAGEMENT | The Hon. Amb. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade, met with the Hon. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on 12 May 2026. The Ministers held fruitful discussions on the excellent bilateral relations between Namibia and France, reaffirming their shared commitment to further strengthening economic, cultural and multilateral cooperation. They also exchanged views on investment opportunities, peace and security, and the reform of the United Nations Security Council. Minister Ashipala-Musavyi highlighted Namibia’s national priorities, noting that the Summit’s themes strongly align with Namibia’s strategic interests, including agriculture, youth employment, skills development, creative industries and innovation. Read more on /share/p/1aLRpKa4xp/?mibextid=wwXIfr