Niël Terblanché
President Nangolo Mbumba concluded his working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Spain.
He arrived back in the country on Sunday.
While on the visit with various heads of state and organisations, he stressed the country’s commitment to fostering international partnerships and advancing sustainable development.
The president’s engagements spanned bilateral talks, high-level business discussions, and a sustainability conference, all aimed at strengthening Namibia’s ties with its European partners, particularly in green energy and economic cooperation.
Mbumba participated in the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), where he joined a panel on ‘Shaping an International (Financial) Architecture that Works for the People and the Planet’.
During that event, the President emphasised the pressing need to reform global financial systems, particularly to benefit developing countries in the Global South.
Mbumba stressed the importance of mobilising financial resources to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligning with the outcomes of the recent United Nations Summit of the Future, which he co-facilitated alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
He also showcased Namibia’s leadership in green hydrogen production, positioning the country as a potential global player in this emerging sector.
The president called on international partners, including Germany, to invest in Namibia’s green hydrogen projects, reinforcing the country’s ambitions to become a significant force in renewable energy.
On 8 October, the President held bilateral talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, where the focus was on Namibia’s aspirations for green industry development and the sensitive issue of reparations linked to Germany’s colonial genocide of the Herero and Nama people.
Both leaders acknowledged the need to resolve historical grievances while also promoting future development through German investments in Namibia’s green industries.
President Mbumba expressed appreciation for Germany’s continued support in these areas.
Mbumba also met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
During the meeting, the leaders discussed the need to address historical injustices and strengthen cooperation between their nations.
According to the Namibian Presidency, these talks reinforced the deep historical and economic ties between Namibia and Germany, with a shared vision of addressing global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development.
On 9 October, the President addressed a High-Level Business Breakfast in Berlin, hosted by the Namibian Embassy and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).
While addressing participants, Mbumba urged German businesses to explore opportunities in Namibia’s key sectors, including mining, agriculture, and infrastructure.
He stressed Namibia’s strategic goal of becoming a logistics hub for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), bolstered by investments in port, rail, and air infrastructure.
He said that green hydrogen, green ammonia, and skills development for these industries were highlighted as central themes in Namibia’s economic strategy.
Mbumba’s visit concluded in Madrid with a meeting with King Felipe VI of Spain.
Discussions with the monarch centred on enhancing economic cooperation between Namibia and Spain, particularly in light of the current drought crisis, which has required the diversion of financial resources.
Mbumba spoke to the king about the importance of scaling up bilateral ties to strengthen Namibia’s economic resilience.
According to the Namibian Presidency, his discussions in Germany and Spain reiterated Namibia’s strategic ambitions to expand its green energy sector and secure international investments to drive economic growth.
