President invites Russia tomake Namibia production hub

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has invited Russian companies to invest in Namibia and establish joint ventures that would turn the country into a production centre for the wider African market.

Addressing the Third Russia–Africa Summit at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow yesterday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia was ready to work with Russian enterprises to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Namibia is open to Russian enterprises to invest in Namibia, joint ventures with Namibians and make Namibia a centre of production,” she said.

The President said such cooperation could allow both sides to benefit from access to the African market, while helping Namibia expand local production and strengthen business links.

She urged Russia and African countries to move beyond political declarations and ensure their partnership produces practical economic results.

“Our partnership must move beyond conference rooms and declarations of intent to a result-oriented collaboration that delivers substantive and tangible results,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said Russia-Africa trade reached US$27 billion in 2025, but Namibia wanted trade to grow in ways that benefited both sides.

She called for stronger business relations, joint ventures, technology transfer and skills development.

She said Africa’s young population and potential in agriculture, energy, industry, technology and innovation could support growth if countries focused on adding value to local resources, strengthening regional supply chains and accelerating industrialisation.

The AfCFTA aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa. Nandi-Ndaitwah presented Namibia as a potential production base from which Russian businesses could reach customers across the continent.

Agriculture is another key area where Namibia wants closer cooperation with Russia. Nandi-Ndaitwah described the sector as the country’s “priority number one” and called for partnerships that use modern technology, innovation and better market access to strengthen production.

She said cooperation should support climate-resilient farming, sustainable agricultural value chains and livestock development. Namibia also wants stronger veterinary cooperation to control and eradicate animal diseases that cross borders.

The President said agriculture remained central to food security, employment, rural livelihoods and national economic output in many African countries.

She called for joint efforts to address climate change, land degradation and drought, noting that Namibia remained vulnerable because it is drought-prone. She urged countries to implement the Namib Declaration, adopted at the 11th Conference of the Parties in Windhoek in 2013, and help close Africa’s water investment gap.

Beyond trade and agriculture, Nandi-Ndaitwah called for stronger cooperation in education, research, innovation and professional exchanges. She said investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics was important for industrialisation, technological progress and diversifying African economies.

The President also linked economic development to peace, security and fair representation in global decision-making. She welcomed Russia’s support for Africa’s common position on reforming the United Nations Security Council and renewed calls to reform international financial institutions.

She said the international system should better reflect today’s geopolitical and economic realities and give all countries a meaningful voice.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia remembered Russia’s support during the liberation struggle, including assistance in education and support for those who fought for independence. She said that history should provide a foundation for a stronger partnership focused on political and economic cooperation.

The summit, she said, was taking place amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing pressure on peace, security and sovereignty.

She urged Russia, African nations and the wider international community to strengthen multilateralism and settle disputes peacefully.

“Together let us build a strong and dynamic partnership defined not only by shared history and common aspiration but also by tangible results and practical achievements,” she said.

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