Patience Makwele
China has pledged additional grant funding, expanded market access for Namibian exports and stronger investment cooperation following President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s state visit to Beijing, with both countries elevating bilateral relations to what Beijing describes as a “China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era.”
Chinese Ambassador Zhao Weiping on Tuesday said the President’s seven-day visit had produced concrete outcomes that would deepen cooperation in agriculture, education, healthcare, trade, mining and industrialisation, while laying the foundation for increased Chinese investment in Namibia.
Addressing his first media briefing of the year, Zhao described the visit as “a complete success” that would have “far-reaching significance” for relations between the two countries, saying Presidents Xi Jinping and Nandi-Ndaitwah had agreed to strengthen political ties and expand practical cooperation across several sectors.
“The great success of this visit will for sure bring greater benefits to our two peoples,” Zhao said.
Among the immediate outcomes, China committed additional government grant assistance to finance development projects in Namibia aimed at supporting socio-economic development and improving the well-being of citizens.
The ambassador said youth development had also emerged as a major area of cooperation, with China increasing scholarships, technical training and capacity-building opportunities for Namibians.
He revealed that China’s ministry of commerce has awarded scholarships for master’s and doctoral studies to 87 Namibian students this year.
The two governments also signed a memorandum of understanding on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which Zhao said would strengthen cooperation between educational institutions in both countries and help equip Namibian youth with industry-relevant skills.
Agriculture featured prominently during the visit, with both countries signing a phytosanitary protocol allowing fresh Namibian table grapes to enter the Chinese market.
Zhao also announced that Namibia had received approval to export wild aquatic products to China following Beijing’s decision to introduce a unified regional market access arrangement for African seafood exports.
The ambassador said the measures build on China’s decision, which took effect on 1 May, to grant zero-tariff access on 100% of tariff lines to all African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing.
“We are very serious in bringing real benefits to Africa,” Zhao said, adding that China intends adopting further measures to facilitate African agricultural exports.
Healthcare cooperation is also expected to expand through medical personnel training, disease control, emergency response cooperation and possible pharmaceutical production in Namibia.
China further committed itself to continuing the deployment of medical teams while supporting Namibia’s healthcare system.
On the economic front, Zhao said the two countries signed the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development (CADEPA), which is expected to provide a long-term institutional framework for trade and investment cooperation consistent with World Trade Organisation rules.
He added that China also intends to encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Namibia as the country pursues industrialisation and economic diversification.
Mining cooperation also featured strongly during the visit, with Xi proposing that future China-Africa mining partnerships should be guided by mutual benefit, consultation and innovation.
According to Zhao, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s delegation included about 200 Namibian entrepreneurs, making it the largest business mission Namibia has ever taken to China since diplomatic relations were established.
Business promotion conferences were held in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, while investment matchmaking sessions also took place in Sichuan and Shandong provinces.
The ambassador praised Nandi-Ndaitwah’s personal involvement in promoting Namibia as an investment destination, saying she held meetings with representatives of more than 30 Chinese companies during the visit despite a demanding schedule.
“I can tell our media friends that this visit has further stimulated the ‘go-to-invest in Namibia’ enthusiasm in the Chinese business community,” Zhao said.
He disclosed that several Chinese provincial delegations, accompanied by agricultural specialists and business representatives, are expected to visit Namibia in September and October to begin implementing agreements reached during the state visit.
The announcements reinforce the Namibian government’s expectation that the China visit will translate into tangible investment, trade and employment opportunities.
Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo previously said the success of the mission should ultimately be measured by the investments, partnerships and economic opportunities it delivers for Namibians, rather than by diplomatic engagements alone.
The ambassador said both governments had already begun implementing the outcomes of the visit, expressing confidence that agreements signed during the state visit would move beyond diplomatic commitments into concrete projects.
“Nothing will only stay on paper,” Zhao said. “There will certainly be concrete actions.”
