Walvis Bay is being positioned as a strategic hub to enhance trade facilitation, improve competitiveness and unlock regional value chains between Namibia and Botswana.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday hosted Botswana President Duma Boko at State House in Windhoek during a working visit focused on strengthening bilateral ties.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Walvis Bay Corridor will play a central role in providing Botswana and other regional economies with access to international markets.
“Through the Walvis Bay Corridor, we are able to facilitate trade and unlock regional value chains by improving our competitiveness,” she said.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across trade, infrastructure, logistics, tourism and natural resource management.
A key priority is the development of the Trans-Kalahari Rail Project, which is expected to improve connectivity and reduce the cost of moving goods between Namibia and Botswana. Transport ministers and technical teams have been tasked with advancing the project.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said both countries are also prioritising the implementation of agreements under the bi-national commission framework, with progress described as satisfactory.
She warned that global geopolitical tensions could disrupt commodity flows, particularly oil, highlighting the need for efficient and reliable port operations.
“One clear one is the oil flow, and we want to ensure that our port continues to facilitate movement,” she said.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen regional trade and position Namibia as a key logistics hub in southern Africa.
