Namibia and the Republic of Congo have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation as both countries prepare for the full operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by 2030.
The renewed commitment was highlighted during the 5th Session of the Namibia–Congo Joint Commission of Cooperation, where officials reviewed existing partnerships and explored new areas of collaboration aimed at advancing economic development and regional integration.
Congo’s Minister of International Cooperation and Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships, Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, called for an objective assessment of bilateral relations to identify practical initiatives capable of delivering tangible development outcomes.
“Congo and Namibia have signed and ratified the treaty establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose full operationalisation is planned for 2030. This perspective should encourage us to strengthen our cooperation so that it fully contributes to the creation of additional wealth and the reduction of poverty on our continent,” he said.
Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, echoed the call for deeper collaboration, emphasising the importance of leveraging opportunities under the AfCFTA framework to expand trade and business exchanges between the two countries.
She expressed confidence that commercial cooperation between Namibia and Congo would continue to grow as Africa advances towards deeper economic integration under the continental trade framework.
Ashipala-Musavyi revealed that senior officials from both countries had met ahead of the ministerial session to deliberate on priority areas of cooperation, including trade, education, transport, mining, health and agriculture. The discussions resulted in recommendations for the signing of Memoranda of Understanding on political and diplomatic consultations, as well as cooperation in the education sector.
“Let us use this platform to develop tangible deliverables in various sectors that will benefit both our nations. I am confident that we are equally committed to ensuring that the outcomes of this session have a meaningful impact on the lives of our people,” she said.
The minister added that pending agreements between the two countries would be finalised and implemented within clear timeframes, stressing that cooperation instruments must translate into measurable socio-economic benefits rather than remain symbolic commitments.
She also highlighted cooperation between the two countries’ port authorities, particularly in light of emerging opportunities linked to developments in the oil sector.
“I would like to call upon our senior officials to continue demonstrating utmost dedication so that the instruments agreed upon in this forum do not remain mere documents, but truly enhance socio-economic development between our two countries — especially as we forge ahead with economic integration on the African continent through the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
