Namibia’s annual salt exports to Nigeria have surged to N$93 million (approximately $5 million), the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has revealed.
Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Penda Naanda, said Mr. Chef, a salt product made from Namibian salt, controls approximately 60% of the Nigerian salt market.
This comes as, in 2022, Namibian exports to Nigeria stood at N$235 million, while Nigerian exports to Namibia totalled N$8.07 billion in 2022.
“For example, Walvis Bay Salt Works continues to export salt worth around US$5 million to Nigeria, and Mr. Chef, a salt product made from Namibian salt, controls around 60 percent of the salt market in Nigeria,” he said.
This milestone was highlighted during the Fifth Session of the Namibia-Nigeria Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC), held in Windhoek from February 4-6, 2025.
The high-level meeting, which marked the first such engagement between the two nations in 14 years, reinforced Namibia and Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening economic ties.
Naanda emphasised the importance of expanding trade between the two nations, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, energy, tourism, and manufacturing.
Among the key areas discussed was Namibia’s potential to export more products to Nigeria, including fish and fish products, beef, mutton, game meat, leather, and minerals.
In return, Namibia is keen on importing processed cocoa products, vegetable oils, and textiles from Nigeria.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was highlighted as an opportunity to enhance intra-African trade, reducing reliance on foreign markets and fostering continental economic growth.
“We equally look forward to seeing the following products as imports in our retail stores from Nigeria: processed cocoa products, cocoa paste, cocoa butter, chocolate, cocoa powder, root crops like yam, cassava, vegetable oil and seeds such as raw and processed shea nuts, cashew nuts, oil palm, groundnuts, soya, as well as apparel, among others,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Nigerian co-chair of the session, Ambassador Akinremi Alade Bolaji, said that apart from trade, both nations are looking to collaborate in various sectors, including oil and gas, solid minerals, education, and tourism.
“By focusing on these areas, Nigeria and Namibia will build a more robust and mutually beneficial partnership, leveraging their unique strengths and addressing common challenges,” he said.
