Niël Terblanché
The minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has set out her vision for the ministry’s expanded role, calling on staff to embrace the integration of trade and diplomacy as a strategic tool to reposition the country on the African continent and globally.
Speaking during a general staff meeting in Windhoek on Wednesday, Ashipala-Musavyi acknowledged the trust placed in her by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and expressed her gratitude to her predecessors, including Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, Namibia’s first Foreign Minister, and former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, President Nandi-Ndaitwah herself.
“It is a responsibility that I have accepted and assumed with the highest level of humility and respect,” she said, adding that the current transition draws on the legacy of those who laid the groundwork for the country’s foreign policy direction.
She also said that the ministry’s mandate has now been expanded following the formation of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s administration, incorporating the former Department of International Trade from the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade.
“This integration presents an opportunity to consolidate our expertise, streamline our operations, and enhance our effectiveness in positioning Namibia as a competitive player in the region and on the global stage,” she said.
Ashipala-Musavyi described the shift as aligned with the government’s push to strengthen economic diplomacy and harness opportunities presented by frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
She added that Namibia’s engagement in international relations must now be anchored in “market diversification, focusing on priority areas where comparative advantage exists.”
The minister identified agriculture, mining, renewable energy, and logistics as key sectors, along with trade in services such as tourism, financial services, health, and communications, to drive Namibia’s competitiveness.
“We must vigorously secure market access for our goods and services to create growth at home,” she said.
Ashipala-Musavyi also stressed the importance of coordinated efforts and a unified approach among departments.
“Every department, directorate and division in the ministry is critical to the fulfilment of the mandate… and therefore we must all take our work seriously,” she said.
She encouraged staff to take ownership of the transition, contribute their expertise, and support one another.
Ashipala-Musavyi assured staff that the political leadership and management would work closely with all departments to ensure a smooth transition and address any uncertainties.
“The expectations of our people for improved service delivery, especially in the rural areas, are real and very high. Let us seize this opportunity to continue building a ministry that not only strengthens Namibia’s global engagements but also delivers tangible benefits for our nation’s economic growth,” she said.
The merger was described as both practical and timely by the country’s ambassador to France, Albertus Aochamub, who echoed the minister’s view that trade missions must move beyond symbolism and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
“This new structure is more than just a name change. It is a repositioning of Namibia in a fast-changing world,” he said.
He also called for effective communication to ensure the ministry’s work is understood by the public.
“We must enhance visibility, respond decisively where our positions are misrepresented, and ensure Namibians from rural communities to the diaspora feel the impact of our work,” he said.
