DAR ES SALAAM

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Namibia and Tanzania to transform their historic political solidarity into stronger economic cooperation, describing economic liberation as Africa’s next frontier.

Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered the message during her keynote address at the Tanzania-Namibia Business Forum in Dar es Salaam on June 20, as part of her state visit to Tanzania from June 19 to 22.

The president’s address emphasized trust, economic cooperation and opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

She said the enduring friendship between Namibia and Tanzania, forged during Namibia’s liberation struggle, provides a strong foundation for deeper trade, investment and industrial cooperation.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said Tanzania trusted Namibia’s struggle for freedom and stood firmly with its people during some of the darkest moments of the liberation struggle.

The question before both nations now, she said, is whether that same trust can be translated into stronger economic relations.

She challenged African businesses to trust one another more, invest in one another more and place greater confidence in African products, services and enterprises.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said that if Africans trusted one another enough to fight together for freedom, they should also trust one another enough to trade together for prosperity.

The president further urged African businesses to seize opportunities presented by the AfCFTA, saying Africa can no longer rely on exporting raw materials while importing finished products.

She highlighted opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, mining, energy, oil and gas, tourism, logistics, manufacturing, technology and the blue economy, while emphasizing that economic partnerships must create jobs, empower young people and improve livelihoods.

Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to providing a stable and investor-friendly environment and expressed confidence that the forum would strengthen economic ties between Namibia and Tanzania while advancing the vision of a prosperous, industrialized and self-reliant Africa.

In a social media post, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan welcomed Nandi-Ndaitwah on a state visit and noted that the Namibian leader lived in Tanzania from 1980 to 1986 while participating in Namibia’s liberation struggle.

Hassan acknowledged that economic relations have not kept pace with the countries’ historical ties, writing that “Despite the depth of our history, our economic cooperation is limited.”

She said the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, the blue economy, food security, defense, air transport, and energy, oil and gas.

Hassan added that the two countries had signed four cooperation agreements and urged businesses from both sides to take advantage of the opportunities they create.

She also called on officials to ensure the timely implementation of agreements reached during the visit and previous engagements to support development and improve citizens’ welfare.