Namibia's evolving partnership with China

Editor's note: Alexander Ayertey Odonkor, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a global economist with a keen interest in the social, environmental and economic landscape of both developing and developed countries, particularly in Asia, Africa and Europe. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah arrived in China on July 5 for a week-long state visit, kicking off her first official trip to the Asian country since taking office in March last year.

As Namibia's first female leader, she seeks to deepen her country's economic and strategic partnerships with China. The Namibian, the country's foremost newspaper, quoted the Namibian Presidency as saying, "She had deliberately chosen Guangzhou (in south China) as her point of entry into China because of its significant economic profile and expressed confidence that the visit would create valuable opportunities for the Namibian delegation and accompanying business community." 

Namibia is home to one of the world's youngest populations, with more than 70% of its residents under the age of 35. It also faces high unemployment (36.9%) with youth unemployment rate hovering around (44.4%). Now Namibia aims to turn its demographic boom into dividends.

Under President Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia, guided by its 6th National Development Plan (2025/26 to 2029/30), which positions human capital at the heart of its development agenda, prioritizes value addition and structural economic transformation. It aims to leverage its relations with key partners including China to accelerate its transition from raw materials extraction to industrialization.

Namibia and China established diplomatic relations in 1990 and since then Beijing has backed Windhoek's multiple National Development Plans across various industries.

For example, in 2014, China and the Food and Agriculture Organization signed a two-year tripartite cooperation agreement worth about $1.5 million to support local farmers in Namibia. By the end of the project, China had deployed 15 experts under the South-South Cooperation Strategic Partnership, which supported the implementation of Namibia's fourth National Development Plan and the Green Scheme Policy, helping to boost rice yields by more than 10% at Kalimbeza, one of Namibia's flagship agricultural initiatives.

To support Namibia's push to become Southern Africa's logistics and supply chain hub, China has helped modernize and expand the country's transport infrastructure including the Walvis Bay Port. This has helped lower transport costs and reduced travel time.

Last November, Namibia opened the China-aided Dr. Hage G. Geingob Freeway in Windhoek, a landmark regional transport facility. This has truncated travel time between downtown Windhoek and the Hosea Kutako International Airport from 50 minutes to just 20 minutes.

China is also Namibia's largest source of foreign direct investment, accounting for about 30% of total flows. More than 50 Chinese companies operate in various sectors including manufacturing, mining and renewable-energy industries.

Compared to decades ago, Namibia's partnership with China has shifted from a focus on resource extraction to industrialization, agriculture modernization and value addition. For example, last year, Namibia witnessed a milestone in its space science capacity, thanks to the China-aided satellite ground data receiving station and processing system outside Windhoek. The facility, China's first high-tech development assistance project in Namibia, helps improve evidence-based decision-making across various economic sectors. 

During the presidential visit, the discussions are on deepening bilateral ties in key areas including trade, agriculture, mining, people-to-people exchanges as well as implementing the Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027) adopted at 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). As reiterated by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit, China is ready to work with Namibia and other African countries to implement the outcomes of the summit, promote common development and prosperity and jointly build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. Xi added that the two sides should strengthen the synergy of development strategies and create new cooperation highlights in areas such as agriculture, clean energy, infrastructure, energy, mineral resources, and science and technology.

Trade remains the foundational bedrock of China-Namibia ties. During her visit, President Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to build on her country's long-standing relations with China and seek easier market access via initiatives such as China's zero-tariff policy for African countries.

The economic potential of this cooperation is already evident. In 2025, China-Namibia trade volume reached $1.85 billion, up 35.72% compared to the previous year. For Namibia, trade with China connects local enterprises and entrepreneurs to global value chains, helping to expand the consumer base, generate foreign-exchange earnings and create jobs.

By granting duty-free market access for African goods, China's zero-tariff policy, in particular, incentivizes Namibia's transition from raw materials export to value addition locally.

With this window of opportunity, Namibia could further expand its economic diversification programs, build resilience against volatile commodity prices, broaden its export basket and create more high-paying jobs. In the long run, deeper economic cooperation with China can help establish a stronger foundation for equitable, long-term development.

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