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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati

Also known as: Ms Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati

Namibia's Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, commissioned in October 2026.

2026-02-042026-10-22
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What’s been said

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  1. February 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Ministry of International Relations and Trade executive director Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati said the document aims to bridge the gap between policy and practice for local businesses

    Source

    “During a workshop held last week, Ministry of International Relations and Trade executive director Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati said the document aims to bridge the gap between policy and practice for local businesses.”

    Namibia develops guide forAfCFTA trade

  3. Informanté

    Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati described the AfCFTA as central to Africa's trade and industrialisation agenda

    Source

    “In her opening message, Nghipondoka-Robiati described the AfCFTA as central to Africa's trade and industrialisation agenda, aimed at creating a single market for goods and services while boosting the competitiveness of African economies.”

    Namibia fast-tracks AfCFTA implementation with trade guide validation workshop

  4. New Era

    Nghipondoka-Robiati said today we gather to listen, to reflect and to chart the way forward

    Source

    “Contributing, Nghipondoka-Robiati said: "Today, we gather to listen, to reflect – and most importantly, to chart the way forward".”

    Nam pushes economic diplomacy amid chaos
Business

New Exporters' Guide aims to help Namibian businesses access global markets

The News

The Ministry of International Relations and Trade and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board have launched an Exporters' Guide to help local businesses, particularly MSMEs, access regional, continental and international markets by providing practical information on export procedures, regulations, logistics, financing and digital trading platforms. The government aims to increase the share of manufactured goods in total exports from 42% to 60% by 2029, and raise agro-processing's contribution to GDP from 7.5% to 10%.

12 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 12 October

  1. New Exporters' Guide aims to help Namibian businesses access global markets

    The Ministry of International Relations and Trade and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board have launched an Exporters' Guide to help local businesses, particularly MSMEs, access regional, continental and international markets by providing practical information on export procedures, regulations, logistics, financing and digital trading platforms. The government aims to increase the share of manufactured goods in total exports from 42% to 60% by 2029, and raise agro-processing's contribution to GDP from 7.5% to 10%.

    12 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 8 October

  1. President commissions Namibia's ambassador to Switzerland and UN

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has commissioned Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati as Namibia's Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

    8 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 5 October

  1. President challenges diplomats to deliver tangible economic benefits

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has told Namibia's diplomats that international relationships must translate into jobs, investment, and opportunities for ordinary Namibians, rather than merely goodwill. In commissioning the new ambassador to Switzerland and UN Geneva, she directed diplomatic missions to support the Sixth National Development Plan through engagement in mining, energy, oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, water, fisheries, and transport and logistics.

    5 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. President commissions ambassador to Switzerland and UN

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah commissioned Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati as Namibia's ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (title incomplete in source).

    5 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Saturday 3 October

  1. Namibia must export beyond borders to sustain economy

    The Ministry of International Relations and Trade notes that Namibia's domestic market of approximately 3.2 million people is too small to sustain economic expansion; the country must compete internationally and integrate producers into regional and global value chains. Namibia's export basket remains heavily concentrated in primary commodities including uranium, gold, fish, diamonds and beef.

    3 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 2 October

  1. President tasks ambassador to secure Swiss trade and investment opportunities

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has commissioned Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati as ambassador to Switzerland and permanent representative to the UN office in Geneva, tasking her with securing opportunities in trade, investment, tourism, technology and knowledge transfer while strengthening Namibia's relations with Switzerland and advancing the country's political, economic, commercial and developmental interests.

    2 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President appoints Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati as Swiss ambassador

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has commissioned Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati as Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva. The President noted Switzerland's historical role in Namibia's independence journey and highlighted opportunities for continued cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education, research and innovation.

    2 October 2026 · Informanté →

  3. President commissions ambassador to Switzerland and UN Geneva

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah commissioned Ms Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati as Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva, charging her to advance and protect Namibia's national interests.

    2 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 28 September

  1. Trade ministry's 9 343 jobs claim faces parliamentary scrutiny

    The Ministry of International Relations and Trade reported facilitating 28 portfolio projects that attracted N$66.85 billion in investment and created 9 343 permanent jobs, but the figures faced parliamentary opposition questioning over data accuracy and timeline verifiability. Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said the ministry's role is to facilitate job creation through trade and investment, with projects spanning agriculture, mining, renewable energy, tourism, real estate, chemicals and digital services.

    28 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. FMD outbreak risks N$3.3bn in annual European beef exports

    Namibia risks losing its European market for beef due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that threatens the country's disease-free status and could suspend exports to international markets. About 60% of beef export earnings, roughly N$3.3 billion annually, come from European, British and Norwegian markets, which apply strict sanitary rules and are expected to close first.

    28 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 8 September

  1. Ministry confirms US communication over ICC membership status

    Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Trade confirmed receiving communication from the United States regarding the country's position on the International Criminal Court, amid reports that the US is seeking to persuade African countries to withdraw from the ICC. The ministry reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to the Rome Statute and said differences relating to the ICC are best addressed through established legal, diplomatic and multilateral channels, without disclosing the contents of the US communication.

    8 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 14 August

  1. Namibia and SACU sign framework for India trade talks

    Namibia and other SACU member states have signed Terms of Reference for formal negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement with India, establishing a framework to expand trade and investment opportunities. India's Commerce Minister said the agreement could support the region through medicine supply, IT skills development, and integration into global supply chains across sectors including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agriculture.

    14 August 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Namibia and India deepen trade, critical minerals partnership

    Following the fourth India–Namibia Joint Trade Committee session in New Delhi, the two countries agreed to expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation, focusing on value addition, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, services and digitalisation. Bilateral merchandise trade reached US$592.94 million in 2025/26, and the countries committed to strengthening cooperation on lithium, graphite, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements.

    14 August 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 6 August

  1. No Namibian confirmed in Angola bus crash killing 22

    The Ministry of International Relations and Trade confirmed that no Namibian national is currently reported killed or injured in Monday's bus crash in Angola's Cuanza Sul province that claimed 22 lives. The Namibian embassy in Luanda contacted the transport company and found no confirmed Namibian passengers, though unconfirmed reports had surfaced of several Namibians on board.

    6 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 7 July

  1. Ambassador Shaanika's appointment triggers diplomatic reshuffle

    Jerobeam Kakeke Shaanika has been appointed executive director and accounting officer of the International Relations and Trade ministry, triggering a reshuffle of Namibia's diplomatic missions in Germany, Geneva, and Malaysia. Shaanika will return from his posting as ambassador to Germany, which he took up in November 2025.

    7 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Namibia urges citizens in South Africa to stay vigilant

    Namibia has urged its citizens in South Africa to remain vigilant and seek consular assistance amid reports of anti-migrant unrest and xenophobic attacks, though the Ministry of International Relations and Trade has not received reports of Namibian nationals being affected.

    3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibians may travel to South Africa for US visas

    The US State Department is reportedly cutting visa-issuing consulates and embassies on the African continent, including Namibia's, according to the Associated Press. The closest remaining visa-processing hubs would be South Africa's consulates in Cape Town and Johannesburg, or Angola's Luanda consulate.

    3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 21 March

  1. Petrobras holds no current Namibian assets despite exploration deal

    Brazilian oil company Petrobras said it holds no current Namibian assets following a courtesy visit to government officials, though it and TotalEnergies are bidders for a 42.5% stake each in a petroleum exploration licence in the Lüderitz Basin, pending regulatory approval.

    21 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 March

  1. Namibia Breweries donates Windhoek Lager for Independence Day diplomacy

    Namibia Breweries Limited has donated 420 cases of Windhoek Lager, including a non-alcoholic variant, to support Namibia's diplomatic missions during the country's 36th Independence Day celebrations abroad. The Minister of International Relations and Trade said the donation will help showcase Namibian products and enhance the country's image globally.

    20 March 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. Namibians stranded in Dubai amid Iran-US conflict escalation

    An unspecified number of Namibians are stranded at Dubai International Airport following airspace closure due to escalating conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel, with at least 80 Namibians known to be working in Dubai. Analysts warn Namibia could face rising fuel, food, and import prices if tensions continue, with broader economic impacts expected within weeks as disruptions to global oil supply and shipping lanes drive up costs.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 February

  1. Namibia, Congo urged to implement bilateral trade agreements

    Officials at the Namibia–Congo Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation in Windhoek say the two countries must move beyond rhetoric to realize economic benefits from their historical ties, with several pending agreements in health, tourism, fisheries, education, and ICT still awaiting implementation.

    20 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Namibia publishes AfCFTA trade guide for local businesses

    Namibia has developed a step-by-step guide to help businesses trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, aiming to bridge gaps between policy and practice. The document, created with UN and chamber of commerce support, will be integrated into the Namibia Trade Information Portal and provides guidance on rules of origin and documentation for enterprises.

    18 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 February

  1. Namibia seeks value-added trade with US, rejects raw mineral exports

    With heightened US interest in Namibia's uranium, lithium, and oil resources, Namibian trade officials say they will promote mineral beneficiation, downstream processing, and manufacturing partnerships rather than exporting raw materials alone. The government aims to position Namibia as a stable investment partner and regional logistics hub, with US ambassador visiting the Erongo region to assess energy opportunities including the Orange Basin and Port of Walvis Bay.

    17 February 2026 · New Era →

Monday 9 February

  1. Namibia validates AfCFTA trade guide for businesses

    Namibia is validating a step-by-step guide to help businesses navigate cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, addressing long-standing challenges with rules of origin, customs procedures and border processes. The guide, developed with UN support, aims to empower MSMEs and expand Namibian exports to African markets beyond the current narrow concentration of products and destinations.

    9 February 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 4 February

  1. Namibia intensifies economic diplomacy amid global uncertainty

    Trade and International Relations Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has called on her ministry to prioritize economic diplomacy, trade and investment promotion to deliver measurable benefits to Namibians including jobs and market access, as global tensions, climate pressures and trade disruptions threaten smaller economies. The ministry plans to focus on market diversification in priority sectors such as agriculture, mining, renewable energy and logistics, while advancing new investment and trade bills.

    4 February 2026 · New Era →

Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute