President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for a shift from traditional political ties to stronger economic cooperation between Namibia and Mozambique.
The elevation of the friendship to a strategic economic partnership was the key message in her speech during her official visit to Mozambique yesterday, presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari said.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah and Daniel Francisco Chapo agreed that it was time to act and improve the lives of citizens, particularly young people who need jobs.
The sectors of priority identified by the two presidents include development corridors for trade facilities, blue economy, agriculture, natural resources beneficiation and energy.
The visit marked a significant turning point in Namibia-Mozambique relations.
Meeting with Mozambican president Daniel Francisco Chapo in Maputo, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the two countries were ready to redefine their cooperation by focusing on trade, investment and development.
“Today marks the turning point in our relations. We have decided to transform our sisterly relations into a stronger economic partnership in the context of intra-African trade, to achieve the Africa we want as per the African Union Agenda 2063,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said in the statement released by Hengari.
She highlighted the deep historical and liberation ties between the two countries, describing Mozambique as a “true sister country”, whose support was vital during Namibia’s struggle for independence.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the agreement to launch the first Namibia-Mozambique Joint Commission of Cooperation.
“This platform will unlock the full potential of our cooperation, especially in critical sectors of energy, oil and gas, the blue economy, education, tourism, logistics, pharmaceuticals and climate resilience technologies,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed Namibia’s admiration for Chapo’s leadership and political inclusiveness.
In addition to economic cooperation, the leaders discussed regional peace and security.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its strategic development goals.
“We also exchanged views on regional peace and security, as well as the alignment of our efforts to accelerate the implementation of the SADC Indicative Strategic Development Plan.
At this juncture, I wish to emphasise that Namibia values Mozambique not only as a strategic partner, but as a true sister country with whom it shares a common destiny of peace and prosperity,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The President called for more collaboration in key areas that could boost economic development, and improve the lives of the citizens of both nations.