PRESIDENT Nangolo Mbumba’s State visit to Cuba has laid a strong foundation for future cooperation between the two countries. 

It focused on science, economic diversification and infrastructural development, which partnership promises to deliver tangible benefits to both nations. This was confirmed by presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari yesterday. 

He provided this publication with the summation of Mbumba’s visit, marking a significant step in bolstering economic and diplomatic ties between the two nations, which is etched in blood. 

During the liberation struggle, Cuban and PLAN combatants fought shoulder to shoulder to unchain Namibia from the yoke of the repugnant South African regime. A classic example is the battle of Cuito Cuanavale. 

Hengari said one of the major outcomes of the visit was the decision to elevate the Cuba-Namibia Joint Working Group Meeting into an Inter-governmental Commission for Bilateral Cooperation. 

This upgrade, to be formalised through a memorandum of understanding, is expected to streamline joint efforts in priority areas. 

After the official talks, both statesmen led the signing of the agreement on the constitution of the bilateral Inter-governmental Commission. 

President Mbumba expressed particular satisfaction with ongoing partnerships in health, urban planning and civil engineering. 

“The work we’ve done together has yielded meaningful results. But there is a need to deepen economic ties, and initiate high-level scientific exchanges to unlock further potential,” he said. 

The president continued: “Namibia and Cuba are united not just by history, but by our shared aspirations for progress and prosperity. This visit has shown what we can achieve together, and I am confident our partnership will only grow stronger”. 

During his two-day visit, he participated in different activities such as visiting the centre for Generic Engineering and Biotechnology, and laying wreaths at the Jose Marti Memorial in Havana and the tomb of Fidel Castro Ruz in Santiago de Cuba, paying tribute to Cuba’s revolutionary leaders. 

Hengari said the president’s visit to the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology highlighted opportunities for collaboration in biotechnology research and manufacturing. 

After touring the facility, Mbumba praised its innovation, stating “Namibia is eager to learn from Cuba’s expertise in biotechnology, and establish exchanges which will enhance research and development in this critical field.” 

That visit aligns with Namibia’s broader goals of leveraging science and technology to diversify its economy, and address pressing challenges in health and agriculture. 

Another area Mbumba visited was the ZED Mariel Special Development Zone, a flagship project aimed at attracting foreign direct investment into Cuba, which saw him explore strategies to boost Namibia’s special economic zones. 

“This model demonstrates how targeted investments in infrastructure and logistics can transform economies. Namibia is taking notes on how to create similar platforms to drive high-value manufacturing and trade,” the president commented. 

Friends 

Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez described the stay of Mbumba as a milestone in the strengthening, consolidation and expansion of bilateral relations, and that it strengthened relations between the Communist Party of Cuba and Swapo. 

“From the depths of our hearts and revolutionary feelings, we ratify that Namibia will always be able to count on Cuba,” said the president during the official talks between the two delegations. 

These links were built by the founding father and first president of Namibia Sam Nujoma, and Commander-in- Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, and continued to be forged by presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba and Hage Geingob and Army General Raúl Castro Ruz. 

They are relationships, Díaz- Canel reflected, “to which we feel committed.” 

He also recalled that Mbumba had previously been to the island on seven occasions when he held different portfolios in this country. The Cuban president sent “revolutionary and affectionate greetings to founding father Nujoma; to my friend and former president Pohamba; and also to the family of the beloved Geingob,” who died in February in the exercise of the Namibian presidency. 

Mbumba was in Cuba at the invitation of Cuban president Bermúdez to focus on advancing collaboration in health, education, biotechnology, construction and economic development. He returned to the country yesterday.