Namibian FM highlights China's role in progress

Namibian Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has commended China's growing role in supporting Namibia's path to modernization, highlighting Beijing's commitment to helping African nations achieve sustainable development through concrete initiatives and strategic cooperation.

In a recent interview with China Daily, the minister emphasized that China's support aligns closely with Namibia's national priorities and Africa's broader goals under the African Union's Agenda 2063.

When President Xi Jinping and African leaders agreed on the 10 partnership action plans in September, "that was a true milestone, as it outlined 10 key areas of focus aimed at fostering sustainable development, economic growth and mutual benefits between China and Africa", Ashipala-Musavyi said.

She noted that the plans complement Namibia's national development agenda, with particular focus on seven priority areas including agriculture, sports, youth empowerment, and quality education and training.

China has consistently ranked among Namibia's top three trading partners, and the two countries are now finalizing several new market access protocols to help diversify Namibia's exports, the minister said.

"Namibia, the first African country to export beef to China, is now advancing protocols for the export of lamb, goat meat, seafood and table grapes," she said.

Namibia also sees cooperation with China as crucial for adding value to its natural resources and for advancing industrialization, she said, emphasizing that agro-processing and energy production are "fundamental" to Namibia's ambition of becoming an industrial nation by 2030.

"With the support of trading partners like China, we aim to ensure Namibia is well positioned to take advantage of the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area)," she said, calling for greater inclusion of regional projects to promote connectivity across Africa.

Looking more broadly at China's role in Africa, Ashipala-Musavyi underscored the strategic importance of joint modernization initiatives. "No country can achieve sustainable progress in isolation. Global challenges and opportunities require collaborative approaches," she said.

Chinese investments in infrastructure, technology transfer and capacity building will play a key role in supporting Namibia's development, while providing China with access to a vast continental market, the minister said. "Under (the leadership of) President Xi Jinping, initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative have become a central platform for China's engagement with Africa, promoting infrastructure development, trade and investment," she said.

Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah looks forward to working closely with President Xi "on issues of mutual interest to ensure a win-win situation that benefits the people of the two countries", she added.

Ashipala-Musavyi also welcomed China's recent announcement of zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of items imported from the 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, noting that the policy has been introduced when more and more countries are leaning toward protectionism.

"The zero tariffs will make it easier for companies from Namibia, and Africa as a whole, to export more goods to China, boosting trade volumes, diversifying exports and stimulating economic growth," she said.

The policy is also expected to strengthen diplomatic relations, foster a long-term partnership between Africa and China, and also reinforce China's role as a strategic partner in Africa's development journey, she added.