Namibia's president to visit China to strengthen economic ties

Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to embark on a state visit to China from July 5 to July 11, aiming to bolster bilateral cooperation across critical sectors. Invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the visit signifies a move to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Namibia and China.

During the high-level talks, President Nandi-Ndaitwah will engage with Chinese leadership, including Premier Li Qiang, and officials from the Communist Party, as well as provincial and municipal authorities in various Chinese cities. The agenda prioritizes sectors vital to Namibia's development, such as trade, investment, mining and mineral processing, manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy, green hydrogen, education, public health, tourism, and digital innovation.

The Namibian president's itinerary also includes visits to Chinese manufacturing facilities, innovation hubs, and strategic companies in fields like electronics, telecommunications, renewable energy, and nuclear energy. Furthermore, she will participate in the Namibia-China High-Level Trade and Investment Conference, designed to explore new avenues for investment, industrial cooperation, and market access for businesses from both nations.

China stands as Namibia's primary global trading partner and the second-largest destination for its exports, which are predominantly mineral resources. Bilateral trade hit a record 40.64 billion Namibian dollars (approximately $2.875 billion) in 2025, marking a 10.3% increase from the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, bilateral trade reached 14.79 billion Namibian dollars ($912 million).