…Namibia’s exports to South Africa more than doubled to N$28.8 billion in 2025
Namibia and South Africa will seek to unlock new investment opportunities and strengthen regional value chains when government and business leaders meet at the South Africa-Namibia Business Forum in Midrand on 17 July.
The forum will take place on the sidelines of the Fourth Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission and will be addressed by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
According to the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), the forum is intended to convert the two countries’ longstanding political relationship into measurable economic outcomes by expanding private sector participation, increasing bilateral investment and promoting industrial partnerships.
“The Business Forum aims to translate the strong political ties between Namibia and South Africa into concrete economic results, complementing the Bi-National Commission’s discussions by boosting private sector involvement,” said Catherine Shipushu, Acting Executive for Competitiveness and Branding at the NIPDB.
The programme will focus on investment opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing, energy, manufacturing, metals and mining, chemicals and allied industries, financial services, and transport and logistics.
Delegates will also discuss opportunities in livestock and leather, meat processing, fruits and vegetables, textiles and clothing, cosmetics and essential oils, green hydrogen, industrialisation, and regional transport and trade corridors.
The forum comes as economic ties between the two countries continue to strengthen. Namibia’s exports to South Africa increased from N$13.5 billion in 2021 to N$28.8 billion in 2025, while imports rose from N$45.6 billion to N$56.7 billion over the same period.
According to Shipushu, the growth in Namibian exports helped narrow the bilateral trade deficit from N$35.9 billion in 2024 to N$27.9 billion in 2025.
“The rapid expansion of Namibia’s exports has contributed to a notable improvement in the bilateral trade balance, with the trade gap narrowing from N$35.9 billion in 2024 to N$27.9 billion in 2025. This positive trend highlights growing demand for Namibian products in the South African market and demonstrates the increasing competitiveness of Namibian businesses within the region,” she said.
In addition to panel discussions, the programme will include business-to-business matchmaking sessions and strategic site visits, providing Namibian and South African companies with opportunities to establish commercial partnerships and explore new investment projects.
Shipushu said the forum is expected to support economic diversification, increase exports of Namibian products and create employment by fostering stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.
“The long-term impact of this forum will be evidenced by economic diversification, increased exports of Namibian products and employment creation. In the short term, the Business Forum is expected to demonstrate how strategic partnerships between government and organised business can unlock investment, strengthen regional value chains and position Southern Africa as a globally competitive investment and industrial destination,” she said.
