CHAMWE KAIRA
South Africa and Namibia maintain robust trade and investment relations, with over 50 South African companies investing in Namibia between 2023 and 2025, contributing approximately US$1.2 billion in capital and creating around 4 900 jobs across key sectors such as mining, banking, insurance, property, and renewable energy.
The figures were released by the South African Presidency ahead of the fourth Session of the South Africa – Namibia Binational Commission.
South Africa remains one of Namibia’s largest trading partners and its second largest source of foreign direct investment after China.
Over the period 2021 to 2025, Namibia and South Africa maintained a strong and dynamic trade partnership, reflecting the deep economic integration between the two neighbouring countries.
According to the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, import values from South Africa increased from N$45.6 billion in 2021 to N$56.7 billion in 2025.
At the same time, Namibia’s exports to South Africa recorded remarkable growth, more than doubling from N$13.5 billion to N$28.8 billion over the same period.
According to the board, the rapid expansion of Namibia’s exports has contributed to a notable improvement in the bilateral trade balance, with the trade gap narrowing from N$35.9 billion in 2024 to N$27.9 billion in 2025.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 17 July, co-chair the fourth Session of the South Africa – Namibia Binational Commission (BNC) with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Namibia is one of South Africa’s foremost strategic partners amongst countries in southern Africa. The bilateral relations are conducted through a structured mechanism that is pursued within the framework of the Bi-National Commission (BNC). Since its establishment in 2013, three BNC sessions have been convened.
The fourth BNC will be preceded by the Council of Ministers Meeting on 16 July 2026 and the Senior Officials Meeting from 14-15 July 2026.
The bilateral partnership spans a broad range of sectors, including political dialogue, economic cooperation, environmental management, science and technology, social development, as well as defence and security collaboration.
The South Africa – Namibia BNC and will also incorporate the South Africa – Namibia Business Forum which will be held under the theme; ‘Driving Regional Industrialisation, Investment and Sustainable Growth Through Strategic South Africa–Namibia Partnerships.’
The session will bring together government and business representatives from both countries, to engage and collaborate on efforts that will strengthen trade and investment.
