By Koviao Matuzee
Namibia and Angola are looking to deepen economic cooperation through cross-border water infrastructure, electricity connectivity and closer coordination on natural resources, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah calling for existing bilateral commitments to translate into measurable benefits for both economies.
Addressing the inaugural Angola–Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Luanda, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that the success of the partnership would depend on moving beyond diplomatic agreements to projects capable of strengthening production, expanding economic opportunities and improving people’s livelihoods.
Among the priorities she highlighted were the extension of Angola’s Cafu Canal infrastructure into Namibia and the commissioning of permanent pumping stations at Calueque, initiatives she said could improve water security and support agricultural development.
For Namibia, where reliable water supplies are essential to agricultural production and rural economic activity, cooperation on transboundary water infrastructure could provide an important foundation for expanding productive capacity.
The President also welcomed progress on the Angola–Namibia Interconnector (ANNA) Project in 2026, highlighting energy cooperation as another area with potential to support industrialization and strengthen regional energy security.
She said the two countries needed to approach their natural resources differently, ensuring that their exploitation creates lasting value rather than benefiting only the present generation.
The call comes as Namibia develops its emerging oil and gas industry and seeks opportunities to draw on Angola’s experience in the sector. Nandi-Ndaitwah commended cooperation under the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation in the Oil and Natural Gas Sector, which provides a framework for the two countries to share expertise.
However, the President stressed that infrastructure and sectoral agreements would only deliver their intended value if governments followed through on the commitments they had already made.
She also urged ministers and government officials to ensure that agreements and memoranda of understanding produce concrete results.
The BNC builds on a 2019 decision to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level, placing cooperation under a mechanism designed to strengthen coordination between the two governments.
It expands collaboration beyond the existing Joint Commission of Cooperation to cover political, diplomatic, economic, social, defense and security matters.
Trade facilitation is another priority.
Nandi-Ndaitwah called for stronger coordination among customs, immigration and border authorities to reduce obstacles to legitimate commerce, arguing that the shared border should connect markets rather than constrain them.
For businesses, improved border processes could help ease the movement of goods and create better conditions for trade between the neighboring countries.
Combined with investments in water and energy infrastructure, such cooperation could support broader economic integration.
The President also commended Angolan President João Lourenço for his role in regional and continental peacebuilding, stressing that peace and stability remain essential conditions for development.
The historical relationship between the two countries, forged during Namibia’s liberation struggle, remains central to their partnership.
Nandi-Ndaitwah recalled the support Angola provided to Namibians seeking refuge and the sacrifices made by Angolans during the struggle for independence.
She said that history placed a shared responsibility on both nations to convert their longstanding friendship into sustainable socio-economic progress.
