China-Namibia at 35: a friendship renewed with new vitality

This year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Namibia. From China's support for Namibia's independence movement in the 1960s to the deepening partnership today, the two nations have built strong ties. Cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, mining, and healthcare has yielded mutual benefits. As both countries pursue shared development, what new opportunities lie ahead for collaboration? With Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah assuming office as Namibia's first female president, what priorities might her leadership bring?

China Africa Talk speaks with Penny Tuna Magdalena Uukunde, a regional development economist.

China Africa Talk: China and Namibia have enjoyed long-standing diplomatic relations, established the second day after Namibia gained independence in 1990. How would you characterize the bilateral ties? What milestones have stood out to you?

Penny Tuna Magdalena Uukunde: China and Namibia's relationship isn't just about trade. It's about shared history, strategic cooperation, and mutual growth.

Even before independence, China was a key ally, supporting SWAPO's liberation struggle in the 1960s and 1970s. Chairman Mao's anti-imperialist ideology aligned with Namibia's independence movement, making China one of Namibia's strongest supporters. That's why when we gained independence on March 21, 1990, China officially established diplomatic ties with us the very next day, not as a new partner, but as a long-standing ally.

In 2018, our relationship was formally upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation. This has deepened trade, investment, and infrastructure development. Mining has been a major pillar of our partnership; agriculture has also seen major progress. In 2018, Namibia became the first African country to export beef to China. In 2024, we expanded our agricultural exports with a new agreement for goat and sheep meat. Negotiations on seafood exports are ongoing, opening new trade doors for Namibian fisheries. Infrastructure remains a key area of cooperation. Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Namibia is working on transport and energy projects, including the Trans-Kalahari Railway.

Beyond trade and infrastructure, our partnership impacts people's lives. The Confucius Institute at the University of Namibia fosters language and cultural exchange. Many Namibian students study in China each year through scholarships. For over two decades, Chinese medical teams have worked in Namibia, strengthening healthcare collaboration. At its core, China and Namibia's partnership is about solidarity, development, and long-term cooperation.

China Africa Talk: Namibia was the first stop on Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s first overseas trip of the year in Africa. Wang Yi emphasized China's commitment to supporting Namibia's economic development by helping transform its resource advantages into developmental and societal benefits, jointly advancing modernization in both countries. What are your thoughts on this statement? How would you assess China's role in Namibia's modernization efforts?  Could you share some specific examples?

Penny Tuna Magdalena Uukunde: Our partnership has evolved from independence support to a comprehensive strategic partnership, shaping Namibia's global economic position in a multipolar world. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Namibia in January 2025 as his first stop in Africa was more than just a diplomatic gesture—it was a powerful endorsement of Namibia's strategic role in China's broader engagement with Africa.

This visit reaffirmed China's commitment to advancing Namibia's modernization efforts, not just through investment, but through structural economic transformation.  With regards to how I see China's role. It's clear, but Namibia must shape its own trajectory —we must be intentional about how we shape our economic future in this partnership. I would start with industrialization. Chinese investments in uranium are significant. The real opportunity comes from building.  China has shown us the way, and we would like to cooperate with them.  I also believe a dedicated FOCAC & BRI Representative is needed to ensure that agreements translate into structured, monitored, and implemented modernization outcomes.

China Africa Talk: China is focused on high-quality development, with significant advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence, space technology, the green economy.  What new areas of collaboration could Namibia and China look into to further benefit their people?

Penny Tuna Magdalena Uukunde: China is leading the world in AI, space technology and green economy. These are industries that will define the next century. Namibia must strategically position itself to extract maximum benefit from these advancements while ensuring that every engagement with China aligns with our national development agenda.

What I can also look at as an asset that is not really being explored is the Walvis Bay Corridor.  It connects to Brazil very easily. But due to the situation that is happening within the Gulf, ships have had to redirect their routes. And in redirecting their routes, it has also affected our tourism.  So this is something that I can say that is reachable and that can be expanded on.

With regards to the space technology, Namibia is actually a proud host of a Chinese space station. And I would like to hear of Namibians going to space and collaboration in space science education for future Namibian satellite engineers.

China Africa Talk: With Nandi-Ndaitwah taking office as Namibia’s first female president, how do you envision the future of Namibia-China relations under her leadership?

Penny Tuna Magdalena Uukunde: To be honest with you, I couldn't be more proud because she has decades of experience in foreign affairs, trade, and diplomacy. I've actually looked through the different ministries that she's worked at. I've seen her stance when she was a foreign affairs minister. She stood very passionately for the United Nations Security Council having a chair for Africa. That's one thing that she's definitely going to stand on. She wants to build a legacy. And a person that wants to build a legacy can only be a blessing for the nation and also for relations. She is a woman that has understood the ideology that led us to liberating our country. I believe with that ideology in mind and where she wants to take the nation, the Namibia and China relationship will thrive, pulling into the next level.