President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has placed economic diplomacy at the centre of Namibia’s foreign policy.
She declared that international relations must now deliver “tangible and measurable benefits” for the country’s people. Speaking at State House on Tuesday during the official New Year’s greeting ceremony for the Diplomatic Corps, the President said Namibia enters 2026 with “clarity of purpose and confidence” in its foreign policy direction, with a stronger focus on trade, investment and development outcomes.
“Namibia’s foreign policy is increasingly shaped by the imperative of economic diplomacy. This is no longer a complementary aspect of our international engagement but a central instrument in advancing our national development objectives,” she said. The President noted that this shift is reflected in the renaming of the ministry to the Ministry of International Relations and Trade.
“We are determined to ensure that our international partnerships translate into tangible and measurable benefits for our people, including increased investment, expanded trade, skills development, technology transfer, and the creation of sustainable employment opportunities,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. She reaffirmed that Namibia’s external relations remain anchored in “respect for sovereignty, equality among states, non-interference in internal affairs, adherence to international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.” At the same event, Ambassador Lauria Ngayino Nguele-Makouelet of the Republic of Congo, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, pledged continued cooperation with Namibia. She described 2025 as “a milestone year for Namibia.”
Nguele-Makouelet said the diplomatic community had observed Namibia’s growing international profile under the president’s leadership.“Under your leadership, Namibian diplomacy has distinguished itself and consolidated its achievements, revitalising and diversifying international partnerships,” she said, citing high-level visits such as that of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She also praised Namibia’s progress in gender equality, saying, “Today, Namibian women occupy fundamental spaces in decision-making processes, demonstrating that equity is not merely an aspiration but a concrete practice that strengthens democracy.”
She further commended the establishment of presidential task forces emerging from the Namibia Public-Private Forum, describing them as “a strong commitment to consultation, solution-oriented leadership, and all-of-society engagement.” In her address, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised that Namibia will continue to advocate for multilateralism amid growing global tensions.
“As the international system faces growing strain from geopolitical rivalries, economic fragmentation, and the escalating impacts of climate change, Namibia remains resolute in its belief that diplomacy, dialogue, and effective multilateralism remain indispensable,” she said.