Poland has identified Namibia as its strategic entry point into Southern Africa and is seeking to expand trade and investment, with Polish companies exploring opportunities in mining, infrastructure, water management, technology and pharmaceuticals.
Speaking during a high-level visit to Windhoek, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, said Namibia’s political stability, strategic location and growing economy position it as an ideal partner for businesses seeking access to the Southern African market.
“We recognise your important role in your region. We think you are a strategic partner for the European Union and an excellent way of accessing the market of 380 million consumers in Southern Africa,” Sikorski said.
Despite the growing interest, he acknowledged that bilateral trade remains modest and said both governments are committed to strengthening commercial and investment ties.
Sikorski revealed that several Polish companies are already assessing investment opportunities in Namibia, including firms specialising in mining, geological exploration, pharmaceuticals, digital infrastructure and data centres.
He said Poland also has expertise in water treatment, irrigation systems, infrastructure development and defence manufacturing that could support Namibia’s development priorities.
“Poland also has extensive expertise in water management. When communism collapsed, our rivers were heavily polluted, with untreated sewage flowing directly into them. Over the past three decades, we have invested heavily in water treatment and wastewater management. Today, we offer modern, highly efficient and competitively priced solutions for both drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment. This is an area that Namibia may wish to explore further, together with irrigation and broader water management,” he said.
Sikorski also welcomed Namibia’s recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, saying the decision would strengthen investor confidence and improve the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, described the visit as an important step in deepening bilateral relations as Namibia seeks to attract investment and diversify its international economic partnerships.
She said the two countries would continue expanding cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, youth development, tourism and skills development, while preparations are under way for the next round of Namibia-Poland political consultations.
Looking ahead, Ashipala-Musavyi said Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan places economic transformation at its centre through value addition, industrialisation and human capital development, with particular emphasis on youth empowerment, innovation and the creative industries.
She said Namibia aims to increase exports from N$103 billion to N$168 billion by 2030 through greater beneficiation of its natural resources.
“This is not an aspiration for us; it is a strategy, and the partnership we build today forms part of how we intend to deliver on it,” she said.
The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments, reaffirming their commitment to closer cooperation between Namibia, Poland and the European Union while expanding bilateral trade and investment relations.
