Namibia and Gabon are looking into the potential to boost trade between the two countries, with both governments exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation in fisheries, petroleum services, oil refining and infrastructure development.
The Ministry of International Relations and Trade’s Acting Director for Africa and the Middle East, Ambassador Humphrey Geiseb, said the two countries are seeking to expand bilateral engagement through a joint business forum aimed at increasing trade and facilitating structured sector partnerships.
The forum, convened on Wednesday in collaboration with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the Namibia Chamber of Commerce, brought together business leaders and government officials to identify joint projects and promote engagement between public and private sector actors in priority industries.
Geiseb said Namibia and Gabon established diplomatic relations on 17 October 2012, with Namibia’s Embassy in Brazzaville accredited to Gabon, while Gabon maintains a non-resident mission accredited to Namibia. He noted that trade volumes between the two countries remain limited despite more than a decade of diplomatic ties.
According to the ministry, Namibia exported goods valued at US$2.3 million to Gabon during the 2024–2025 period, including chlorides, natural polymers, frozen fish and salt. Export values increased from US$96,000 recorded in 2020.
“This is a genuine task. As such, a joint commission of cooperation between Gabon and Namibia could be incorporated as a mechanism to strengthen financial relations. The potential for expanding trade flow is very realistic when you are looking at the fact that over the past five years, exports in value from Namibia to Gabon have grown,” Geiseb said.
The ministry said both countries share interests in agriculture, forestry, environmental conservation and fisheries, creating opportunities for expanded cooperation across multiple sectors.
Geiseb added that Namibia’s participation in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the EU–Namibia Partnership Agreement provides a framework for broader market access and tariff reduction.
“However, the African Continental Free Trade Area is currently the focus and a significant trade agreement aimed at creating a single market for goods and services across the 55 countries of the African Union. Through the promotion of free market systems, reduction of tariffs and non-tariff barriers,” he said.
Gabon’s Ambassador to Namibia, Edwige Koumby Missambo, said Gabon is prioritising the development of port and digital infrastructure and is seeking to diversify its economy towards agriculture and services.
“And in the sense of diversity, you know, Gabon is mainly forest. More than 80% of the country is the forest. We have a strategic geographical position in Central Africa. We have the projects to develop port and digital infrastructure. We are in big need of infrastructure. And we are also willing to diversify our economy toward agriculture and services, among others,” Missambo said.
She added that Gabon is also interested in cooperation in mining governance, renewable energy and institutional transparency, citing Namibia’s experience in green energy development and governance practices.
“And we are very interested in learning about this practice in Namibia. You also have a big advance in green energy and solar energy. That is also an area where we can have cooperation; we can partner. You are also very good in transparency. And that is key. Because when you want to develop resources, you have to build the framework to make sure that the benefits of the resources participate to the development of the country and also to the people,” she said.
Both sides said the forum is intended to provide a foundation for more structured cooperation, with potential progression towards formal bilateral mechanisms and sector-specific project development.
