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Namibia’s blue economy anchors EU trade success

Namibia’s blue economy anchors EU trade success

KATIMA MULILO – Off the shores of Namibia, a powerful economic tide is turning. 

In the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the country’s fishing industry has become a quiet powerhouse, fuelled by international cooperation, resilient institutions and a deepening trade partnership with the European Union (EU).

Since the 2016 launch of the Southern African Development Community-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Namibia has enjoyed full duty-free access to the EU market for all its goods. 

This asymmetric agreement gives Namibia the space to grow local industries and protect sensitive sectors while unlocking opportunities abroad. One of the clearest beneficiaries-the fishing sector.

In 2023, fish accounted for 38.3% of all Namibian exports to the EU, making it the single most important export product to Europe. 

Hake has become a staple on European dinner plates, caught sustainably and shipped with confidence.

EU Ambassador to Namibia Ana Beatriz Martins said this is more than just trade. 

“The fact that no Namibian fish shipment has been rejected by the EU in recent years speaks volumes. It shows how well Namibia has equipped its institutions and private sector to meet EU’s rigorous sanitary standards. This partnership is about more than trade. It’s about building trust and long-term resilience,” she stated.

That trust has been carefully built, with the EU investing €6 million (approximately N$127.5 million) to help Namibia meet its stringent food safety and quality standards.

 The Namibia Standards Institution (NSI), for instance, received training and state-of-the-art testing equipment, enabling it to inspect and certify fish products to the highest international standards.

However, fish is just one thread in a wider tapestry.

A new 2025 independent study, commissioned by the EU Delegation to Namibia and conducted by respected economist Robin Sherbourne, author of The Guide to the Namibian Economy, reveals a dynamic and deepening economic relationship between the two partners.

Sherbourne said the EU is now Namibia’s largest export market, with Namibia enjoying a consistent trade surplus. 

“The EU functions as a single trading bloc. Its significance in Namibia’s trade profile cannot be overstated,” he noted. 

“What’s more, EU investment in Namibia spans everything – from renewable energy and mining to fishing and agriculture,” he added.

In 2023, 95% of Namibian exports to the EU went to seven countries – Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany and Portugal – highlighting the bloc’s concentrated demand for high-value Namibian products, such as refined copper, diamonds, uranium, table grapes, charcoal and hake.

The EU has emerged as Namibia’s second-largest source of imports, behind South Africa, supplying machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals and food products primarily from Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and France.

EU companies play a growing role as investors, particularly in sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy and tourism, supporting Namibia’s ambitions to diversify its economy and move up the value chain.

As the EPA continues to deliver tangible benefits on both sides, the partnership is also setting the stage for sustainable development. 

“Namibia’s economic potential is immense,” Sherbourne stated.

 “With the right partnerships and investment frameworks in place, we can expect even greater trade diversification and stronger value addition in years to come,” he noted.

For now, Namibia’s thriving fishing industry remains a symbol of what is possible when high standards, shared goals and smart partnerships come together in harmony.

From sea to shelf, Namibia’s fish exports are not only feeding Europe. 

They are fuelling a future of sustainable, inclusive growth. 

– anakale@nepc.com.na