Dar es Salaam. Tanzania and Namibia have agreed to elevate their long-standing bilateral relationship by pursuing a new phase of economic cooperation centred on trade, investment and strategic sector partnerships.
The agreement was reached during an official visit to Tanzania by Namibia’s President, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who held talks with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House in Dar es Salaam on Friday.
The two leaders said the historical ties forged during southern Africa’s liberation struggles should now be translated into stronger economic cooperation capable of creating jobs, expanding investment and improving the welfare of citizens in both countries.
Speaking after their discussions, President Samia said the time had come for the two nations to derive greater economic benefits from their close relationship.
She noted that despite the strong political and historical bonds between Tanzania and Namibia, trade and investment flows remained below their full potential.
President Samia said Tanzania remains committed to improving the investment climate and invited Namibian businesses to take advantage of opportunities available in the country.
She highlighted Tanzania’s strategic position as a gateway to markets in East and Southern Africa and pointed to opportunities in ports, transport and logistics, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, oil and gas, mining, manufacturing and services.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in a broad range of sectors, including trade, investment, the blue economy, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, mining, health, education, tourism, aviation, youth development, culture and the promotion of Kiswahili.
President Samia also expressed Tanzania’s readiness to learn from Namibia’s experience in fisheries management and the blue economy.
The leaders further agreed to accelerate the implementation of existing agreements and explore the introduction of direct air links between the two countries.
They also pledged to deepen cooperation on regional and international matters.
During the visit, Tanzania and Namibia witnessed the signing of eight cooperation agreements covering trade, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, defence and collaboration between Zanzibar and the Municipality of Swakopmund in Namibia.
The two Heads of State later attended a Tanzania–Namibia Trade and Investment Forum at the Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam.
The forum brought together business leaders and investors from both countries to explore commercial opportunities and strengthen economic partnerships.
President Samia urged the private sector in both nations to play a leading role in expanding trade and investment, saying government agreements must be translated into tangible economic outcomes.
For her part, President Nandi-Ndaitwah praised Tanzania’s historic contribution to Namibia’s liberation struggle and described Tanzania as an important partner in the region.
She also commended Tanzania’s role in promoting democracy, stability and regional cooperation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Namibian leader stressed that the success of bilateral relations would not be measured solely by the number of agreements signed, but by the investments, businesses and employment opportunities generated through private-sector participation.
She called on entrepreneurs and investors from both countries to seize the opportunities created by the strengthened partnership and build stronger economic links between East and Southern Africa.
“We must move from opportunity to action, from dialogue to implementation, and build cooperation that delivers jobs and development for our people,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The visit marks a significant step in efforts by Tanzania and Namibia to transform their historic friendship into a more robust economic partnership aimed at accelerating growth, investment and regional integration.
