President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for stronger economic cooperation between Namibia and Ghana, urging African businesses to seize opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) while identifying agriculture as a top development priority for the continent.
During her visit to Ghana, where she attended a high-level discussion on the transatlantic slave trade and engaged with the Namibian community and business leaders, Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing economic diplomacy.
She said Namibia remains committed to forging strategic partnerships that support the objectives of the AfCFTA, highlighting agriculture, sport and the creative industries as key sectors for collaboration.
Addressing African business leaders, the President stressed that the continent’s economic transformation must be driven by Africans themselves.
“I am one of those who believe that Africa can only be developed and economically liberated by Africans,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that continental initiatives such as the AfCFTA have created new opportunities for African entrepreneurs and innovators by opening markets across the continent.
“We are opening the whole continent to all of us. And I think with the skills that we are having, we can even put up our own terms of trade,” she said.
Calling for greater economic self-determination, she added: “Africa must have its own voice. If we are not getting onto that table, let us create our table, and if we really make that table strong, we will hear them knocking on our doors so that they can join us at the table.”
The President invited African investors to participate in Namibia’s development agenda, saying the country would prioritise partnerships from within the continent.
“Namibia is part of Africa and Namibia is open to Africans to come and be part of our journey to economic independence. Our country is open for investment and we will give Africa priority,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised that while Namibia attained political independence 35 years ago with the support of other African nations, achieving economic independence remains an ongoing objective.
She identified agriculture as the country’s foremost development priority, arguing that Africa has the resources required to feed itself.
“We have agriculture. We need to feed ourselves as a continent,” she said.
Referring to a past African Union study, the President noted that the continent has sufficient water resources to achieve food security if managed effectively.
“The water we have in Africa can feed the whole of Africa. We just need to manage it properly and, for Namibia, agriculture is our number one priority,” she said.
