CHAMWE KAIRA
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has called on local companies to express interest in participating in a high-level business mission to South Africa that will take place from 17 to 18 July 2026.
The business mission will be held on the sidelines of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s State Visit to South Africa from 14 to 17 July 2026 for the 4th South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Committee (BNC).
According to the NIPDB, the mission is aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between Namibia and South Africa by providing Namibian businesses with opportunities to engage potential partners and investors in key sectors.
The mission will focus on agriculture and agro-processing, metals and mining, manufacturing, chemicals and allied industries, financial services, energy, and transport and logistics.
The NIPDB has invited companies interested in participating to submit expressions of interest by 17h00 on Friday, 3 July 2026.
The board said participation in the business mission is self-funded, with participating companies expected to cover all associated costs.
The NIPDB said interested businesses can submit their applications through an online expression of interest process, while enquiries can be directed to the board’s delegation coordination office.
The business mission forms part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation between Namibia and South Africa through the Bi-National Committee framework, which brings together the two governments to strengthen bilateral relations across a range of sectors.
South Africa retained its position as Namibia’s largest trading partner in April 2026, remaining both the country’s leading export destination and biggest source of imports, according to the latest trade statistics.
The figures come as Namibia recorded a trade deficit of N$4.4 billion during the month, with imports of N$14.2 billion exceeding exports of N$9.8 billion.
The deficit widened from N$2.1 billion recorded in April 2025 and was also higher than the N$2.3 billion deficit reported in March 2026.
South Africa continued to dominate Namibia’s regional trade, reflecting the strong economic ties between the neighbouring countries.
Trade with the rest of Africa also remained significant.
Namibia exported goods worth N$5.5 billion to African markets while importing N$7.7 billion from the continent, resulting in a trade deficit of N$2.3 billion and total intra-African trade of N$13.2 billion.
Intra-African trade accounted for 56.1% of Namibia’s total exports and 54.7% of total imports, highlighting the growing importance of regional markets in the country’s trade and economic integration.
