Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Chinese President Xi Jinping has committed N$1 billion to assist the Namibian government in building houses for police officers.
Namibian presidency press secretary, Alfredo Hengari said this over the weekend while providing an update on President Nangolo Mbumba’s recent visit to China.
Hengari said the Chinese leader pledged this during the bilateral talks with Mbumba at the side of the 2024 Summit of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, China.
‘’During the talks, President Xi also availed close to N$500 million in grants for future projects. Additionally, the government of China committed close to N$50 million worth of assistance to augment the efforts of the Namibian government toward drought relief,” said Hengari.
He added that Jinping also told the Namibian delegate that the project would send a technical team to Namibia to conduct feasibility studies.
Jinping also applauded Mbumba for the steady leadership he had provided to the Namibians following the death of President Hage Geingob in February.
Hengrari added that during the meeting, Mbumba informed his Chinese counterpart that Namibia wants to work closely with China to develop green hydrogen, solar manufacturing, hydro, wind, and nuclear energy.
Mbumba also told Jinping that Namibia wants to scale up infrastructure, including a desalination plant and nuclear infrastructure, to add value to uranium for the peaceful development of nuclear energy and other energy sources, said Hengari.
‘’Moreover, President Mbumba said that the Namibian government was seeking cooperation with China to ensure national safety through the implementation of technology-based smart cities,” said Hengari.
He also announced that President Mbumba will highlight Namibia’s efforts to establish agro-processing centres, particularly in rural areas, for youth, cooperatives, and farmers in general.
Underscoring the need to source technologies from China to add value to agricultural produce, develop new products, contribute to economic activities in remote areas, and stimulate economic growth.
Jinping, on the other hand, told the African leaders at the summit that China is ready to increase exchanges of governance experience with Africa.
This, he said, will be done by supporting all countries in exploring modernisation paths befitting their national conditions and helping ensure equal rights and equal opportunities for all.
“China is ready to deepen cooperation with Africa in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment, promote exemplary, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation projects, and build together a model for the delivery of the Global Development Initiative,” said Jinping.
He also pledged his country’s willingness to collaborate with Africa to promote personal training, poverty reduction, and employment, enhancing the people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security.
Jinpin added that his country is ready to help Africa build “green growth engines,” to narrow the gap in energy accessibility.
He added that he would encourage companies from his country to invest in Africa’s pharmaceutical production.
“We support the development of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to strengthen public health capacity in all African countries,” he said.
