Namibia and Tanzania plan to solidify their bilateral relationship with a focus on collaboration in agriculture, tourism, and fisheries.
This comes after a concerted effort to enhance bilateral trade and investment when Namibia and Tanzania convened an Investment and Trade Forum on Thursday in Windhoek.
The forum, hosted by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) in collaboration with the High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania in Namibia, brought together key stakeholders from both nations.
NIPDB Manager of Investment Attraction, Selma Namutuwa, emphasised the significant role of Tanzanian imports in Namibia’s economy.
“In the past five years, from 2019 to 2023, Namibia’s imports from Tanzania have predominantly been in the agriculture sector. In 2021, we recorded the highest imports from Tanzania, valued at approximately N$61 million, while 2022 and 2023 averaged around N$55 million,” Namutuwa stated.
Despite these substantial imports, she noted Namibia’s exports to Tanzania remain weak.
“Our exports to Tanzania have been weak, with the highest volumes recorded in 2023 falling under N$15 million. This imbalance in trade is something we aim to address,” she added.
Namutuwa highlighted that Namibia imports a variety of agricultural products from Tanzania, including maize, rice, fruits, vegetables, and spices like cloves, which Tanzania is renowned for producing.
Additionally, the fishing sector contributes significantly, with imports such as Nile perch, tuna, and prawns. Cement is also a major import from Tanzania.
“These imports should increase following this forum, don’t you agree? However, I am quite disappointed with Namibia’s exports to Tanzania. In 2019, our exports were barely over one million, and while there was a slight increase in 2021, it dipped again in 2022. There was a notable boost in 2023,” Namutuwa said.
Namibia’s exports to Tanzania include fishery products like monkfish and lobster, beverages such as beer and soft drinks, and machinery for mining and agriculture.
Namutuwa expressed optimism for future growth in these sectors.
Ndapewa Hangula, Managing Director at August 26 Manufacturing (Pty), highlighted Namibia’s thriving fishing sector and the potential for value addition in Tanzania’s fishing and livestock sectors.
“We don’t do direct investment into these sectors because we are consumers of these products. However, Namibia’s fishing industry is doing quite well, with access to markets in Europe and within Africa. This is not only for raw products but also processed products,” Hangula remarked.
She noted that Namibia’s market access strategies could serve as a model for Tanzania.
Caesar Waitara, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to Namibia, echoed the same sentiments, underlining the mutual benefits of strengthened ties.
He said the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) aims to boost intra-Africa trade by creating a single market with approximately 1.3 billion consumers and a combined GDP of US$3.4 trillion.
Waitara said Tanzania is fully committed to the implementation of the AfCFTA with Namibia.
The agreement is expected to enhance trade and investment relations among African countries, increasing Africa’s contribution to global trade and offering significant development opportunities.
“Tanzania invites Namibian investors to come and produce goods and services that will access the African free trade area. Tanzania is ready to partner with Namibia to ensure mutual benefits from this potential market. Distinguished delegates and businesspeople, let us make the best use of the new environment created by our governments,” emphasised Waitara.
Namibia and Tanzania share a robust history of political and economic collaboration. This forum is a strategic step towards fortifying economic ties, particularly in agriculture (livestock), mining, tourism, and fishing sectors.
