Namibia and Angola are moving to increase cross-border trade and investment, with plans to sign an agreement establishing a one-stop border post at Oshikango–Santa Clara on 19 October 2026, as both countries seek to address low bilateral trade volumes.
Namibia’s Executive Director in the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, Ambassador Jerobeam Shaanika, said trade between the two countries remained below its potential despite their shared border, longstanding political relations and extensive movement of people.
Speaking at the Senior Officials Meeting of the Angola–Namibia Bi-National Commission in Luanda on Thursday, Shaanika called for stronger economic cooperation, improved transport and logistics infrastructure, and the removal of barriers restricting trade.
“One area that requires our particular and urgent attention is trade and economic cooperation. It is difficult to reconcile the relatively low levels of trade between our two countries with our geographical proximity, our longstanding political relations, and the extensive people-to-people exchanges that take place daily along our common border,” Shaanika said.
He said the planned one-stop border post at Oshikango–Santa Clara would help simplify customs and immigration procedures, reduce administrative delays and improve the movement of goods and people between the two countries.
The agreement is expected to be signed during the presidential summit scheduled for 19 October 2026, when the two countries will hold the inaugural session of their Bi-National Commission.
Shaanika also welcomed Angola’s accession to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Trade and its ongoing transition into the SADC Free Trade Area.
He said the implementation of Angola’s tariff offer under the regional trade framework could create additional opportunities for businesses and improve trade flows between the two countries.
The ambassador further called for progress on a proposed agreement governing trade in livestock and livestock products, which remains outstanding under the Bi-National Commission.
He said the agreement could expand market access for livestock producers and businesses operating along the agricultural value chain.
“There is, however, another important draft agreement that deserves our focused attention: the Agreement on Trade in Livestock and Livestock Products. This agreement remains outstanding on the agenda of our Bi-National Commission, yet it has the potential to provide further impetus to our trade relations, particularly by opening additional opportunities for producers and businesses operating in the livestock value chain,” Shaanika said.
Beyond trade, Namibia and Angola are pursuing several joint infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening energy security, water supply and regional connectivity.
These include the Baynes Hydropower Project, the Angola–Namibia Interconnector and the installation of permanent pump stations at Calueque.
The Calueque pump stations are expected to be commissioned in December 2026 and are intended to help address water shortages in northern Namibia.
Shaanika said the implementation of these projects was critical to strengthening economic cooperation and improving infrastructure supporting businesses and communities in both countries.
He urged officials to accelerate outstanding agreements and ensure that commitments made under the bilateral cooperation framework resulted in practical economic benefits.
The inaugural Angola–Namibia Bi-National Commission is expected to be co-chaired by the two countries’ heads of state on 19 October 2026.
Shaanika said the success of the partnership would depend on translating agreements into projects that create employment, improve livelihoods and expand trade and investment opportunities.
He maintained that stronger implementation of trade agreements and infrastructure projects would be necessary to unlock the economic potential of the two neighbouring countries.
