Bilateral trade between Namibia and the United Kingdom has impressively tripled during the four years three-month tenure of outgoing British High Commissioner Charles Moore. 

This significant economic achievement was revealed on Wednesday during Moore’s farewell meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House, where discussions also touched upon the recent increase in rainfall and the contentious issue of Namibian asylum seekers in the UK.

“Our trade in the past four years has tripled,” he told President Nandi-Ndaitwah.

He elaborated on this success in a subsequent interview with local journalists, stating: “When I arrived in 2021, I think the figures were about 120 million pounds as total trade between our two countries, and now it’s 385 million. So, while we started at quite a low base, it’s actually been a really positive increase over four years.” 

The British high commissioner concluded his tenure in Namibia by identifying agriculture and machinery as key drivers of this growth, expressing optimism for further expansion in goods and services, including education and the burgeoning oil and gas sector. 

He highlighted the largest UK investment in Namibia during his tenure  as a £20 million solar plant near Eros, as a testament to the strengthening economic ties.

Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged the positive trajectory, emphasising Namibia’s focus on trade and investment as crucial tools for addressing unemployment. 

The president expressed satisfaction with the increased trade between Namibia and the United Kingdom.

She added that increased trade will facilitate the process of reducing the unemployment rate in Namibia. 

Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised that existing relations between the two countries should be further strengthened in the oil and gas sectors to create more employment opportunities for young Namibians.

“I’m glad that we are seeing an interest in some business companies. The oil and gas sector is the one that came during your time here,” she noted, expressing hope that this sector would benefit the Namibian people and their investment partners.

The conversation also addressed the welcome increase in rainfall across Namibia after years of devastating drought. 

Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed cautious optimism: “No, but I hope that means there won’t be any further drought this year. Possibly from next year. Hopefully it will allow quite a good harvest. But too much rain is bad for harvest as well,” he said.

Moore interjected the president echoing the sentiment, having witnessed the impact of both drought and the recent heavy rains, noting, “I’ve seen rivers flowing that have always been dry.”

However, Moore acknowledged that the strong bilateral relationship has faced a recent challenge with the significant rise in Namibian asylum seekers in the UK. 

He explained the UK’s decision to implement a visa regime for Namibian citizens in July 2023. “We introduced a visa regime in July 2023, and that was really because we had no option because it was the only way we could stop the unsustainable rise in asylum seeking,” he stated during the interview with journalists. 

He revealed that in the year leading up to the implementation, over 1 000 Namibians had claimed asylum upon arrival in the UK.

 Moore further acknowledged the inconvenience caused to genuine Namibian travellers, businessmen, and officials. 

“We recognise that it has an adverse impact on them, and I’m afraid that’s just unfortunate because we had no other choice but to impose a visa regime,” he said, adding that the situation is under review with efforts being made to streamline the visa process.

Farewell

Despite this complex issue, Nandi-Ndaitwah commended Moore for his efforts in strengthening cooperation between the two nations across various sectors.

 “You have done well to strengthen our cooperation,” she acknowledged.

As Moore prepares to depart, he reflected on his time in Namibia with fondness. 

“But I’m increasingly sad about leaving your delightful country. It’s been just such a privilege to get to know Namibia and Namibians. It’s a beautiful country,” he admitted. 

He reiterated this sentiment to the press, emphasising his extensive travels throughout the country and his commitment to ensuring the UK understands Namibia’s opportunities and challenges.

Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed appreciation for Moore’s service and looked forward to welcoming his successor, hoping for a continued positive trajectory in the relationship between Namibia and the United Kingdom.