Namibian President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah Concludes State Visit to China with Talks in Beijing
On Thursday, 26 September 2025, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, marking the final leg of her week‑long state visit to the People’s Republic of China. The meeting followed earlier stops in the southern provinces of Guangdong and Sichuan, where the president explored opportunities in trade, renewable energy, digital innovation and science‑technology cooperation.
High‑level dialogue with Premier Li Qiang
During the bilateral talks, Premier Li Qiang emphasized the need to align the two countries’ development strategies and to expand the scale of bilateral trade. He called for deeper cooperation in infrastructure construction, mining, oil and gas, new energy and other strategic sectors.
Li also announced that China stands ready to increase imports of high‑quality Namibian agricultural and fishery products, encouraging Namibia to make full use of Beijing’s zero‑tariff policy for eligible goods. The remarks were reported by Xinhua News Agency and echoed in a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
Trade, investment and green cooperation
According to the latest customs data, Namibia‑China bilateral trade reached US$1.85 billion in 2024, representing a year‑on‑year increase of more than one‑third. China remains one of Namibia’s top trading partners, particularly for minerals such as uranium and copper, as well as for fish and beef exports.
Both sides highlighted several priority areas for future collaboration:
- Expanding joint ventures in solar and wind power projects to support Namibia’s green‑energy transition.
- Modernising transport and logistics infrastructure, including ports and railway links, to facilitate smoother trade flows.
- Promoting technology transfer in digital innovation, with a focus on smart agriculture and e‑governance solutions.
- Strengthening scientific cooperation through researcher exchange programmes and joint laboratories.
Provincial visits: Guangdong and Sichuan
Earlier in the week, President Nandi‑Ndaitwah toured Guangdong’s manufacturing hubs and Sichuan’s renewable‑energy parks. Discussions covered:
- Potential investment in Namibia’s nascent semiconductor and electronics assembly sectors.
- Opportunities for Namibian firms to participate in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects related to green infrastructure.
- Exchange of best practices in vocational training and skills development aimed at boosting youth employment.
Officials from both nations noted that the provincial visits helped translate the broad strategic commitments made at the national level into concrete project proposals.
Outlook for Namibia‑China relations
The state visit underscores a deepening partnership that has evolved over the past decade. Analysts from the African Development Bank and the China‑Africa Research Initiative point to sustained growth in trade, rising Chinese direct investment in Namibian mining and energy, and increasing collaboration on climate‑resilient agriculture as key drivers of the relationship.
Looking ahead, both governments have agreed to convene a joint economic and trade commission before the end of 2026 to monitor progress on the agreed‑upon initiatives and to identify new avenues for cooperation.
By combining Namibia’s rich natural resources and strategic location with China’s manufacturing capacity and technological expertise, the two nations aim to build a more diversified, sustainable and mutually beneficial economic partnership.
