Namibia and Tanzania have agreed to work more closely on trade, farming and job-creation while also honouring their shared history from the fight for independence.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with president Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday in Tanzania to discuss how the two countries can move from strong political friendships to stronger economic cooperation. These details were revealed by presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari. Nandi-Ndaitwah and Suluhu Hassan concluded bilateral talks with a strong focus on sharing lessons in the agricultural sector, and promoting value chains for youth empowerment and sustainable development.
Other identified areas of cooperation include mining, tourism and Port management.
The visit underscored both symbolic and strategic dimensions of Namibia-Tanzania relations.
In the notes he shared with New Era, Hengari indicated that trade between the countries is still low, only around U.S$7.5 million [roughly N$134 million].
Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the need to expand this figure substantially, focusing on sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, the blue economy and transport infrastructure.
“My sister, comrade president, I would like to once again express our sincere gratitude for gracing our inauguration ceremony as the 5th President of the Republic of Namibia. Namibia’s independence today is a result of the unwavering support of Tanzania that was rendered to our people during our long struggle for freedom and national independence,” the President stated in the notes.
Economic diplomacy
“Both leaders agreed that while political relations are excellent, there is an urgent need to pace bilateral ties towards stronger economic cooperation. This cooperation must be anchored in job-creation, particularly for young people,” Hengari said.
“Namibia can learn a great deal from Tanzania, especially in how agriculture is used to empower youth. It is time to act, and not talk. We must focus on what is doable, and in line with the priorities of Namibia’s 8th administration,” the President said.
Hengari said Namibian enterprises were also invited to participate in the upcoming Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair.
Heroes
The visit likewise paid homage to Namibia’s liberation legacy, especially at the historic Kongwa site in the Dodoma region in Tanzania.
The President acknowledged the unveiling of tombstones for three Namibian freedom fighters who lost their lives in that country during the country’s liberation struggle, and were buried in Kongwa.
The unveiling of tombstones, which took place on 15 February 2025, was attended by local leaders and dignitaries.
“It was officiated by Lebbius Tangeni Tobias, Namibia’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, and was graced by honourable Mayeka S. Mayeka, the District Commissioner of Kongwa,” Hengari said.
Proposal
As part of preserving Namibia’s liberation legacy, the Namibian government has proposed the establishment of the Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma Library at the historic Kongwa camp, where the late founding president once stayed.
“Although the camp has since been converted into a senior secondary school, the classroom in which the late Nujoma lived remains intact. This proposal reflects our desire to document and preserve our liberation history,” he added.
The library is expected to serve as a Pan-African hub of historical memory, and will include information on key African liberation figures such as Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Agostinho Neto of Angola, Samora Machel of Mozambique, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia.
“We sincerely thank the Government of Tanzania and the Kongwa local authority for making this vision possible,” the presidential spokesperson noted.
Cooperation
President Nandi-Ndaitwah then revisited resolutions from the 3rd Session of the Namibia–Tanzania Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC), held in Windhoek in March 2023.
“There is a strong need to enhance economic diplomacy for the mutual benefit of our people. Namibia looks forward to Tanzania hosting the mid-term review, which was scheduled for March 2024, to assess implementation progress and expedite action,” he observed.
On multilateral issues, President Nandi-Ndaitwah praised Tanzania for its solidarity in international platforms, particularly on socio-economic and development matters.
She furthermore emphasised the importance of the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (Sacreee).
“Sacreee plays a crucial role in promoting access to affordable, reliable energy and advancing regional energy security. However, it remains without legal status because the Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Agreement (IGMoA) has not secured the necessary ratifications,” the President stated.
Only six SADC member states – Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia and Zambia – have ratified the agreement, despite 11 having signed it.
“I plead with the Government of Tanzania to consider ratifying the agreement and join efforts to advocate for its regional adoption,” she urged.