Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Selma Ashipala-Musavyi

Also known as: Ashipala-Musavyi · the minister · minister of international relations and trade of the Republic of Namibia · minister of international relations and trade · Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade · international relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi · Honourable Minister · Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi · the Minister of International Relations and Trade · Selma Ashipla-Musavyi · Ashipla-Musavyi · Diplomat Selma Ashipala-Musavyi · Minister of International Relations and Cooperation · Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi

Namibian Minister of International Relations and Trade leading bilateral negotiations with China, Brazil, Russia, and Ghana on resource value addition and trade expansion.

World & Region

Namibia and China pledge cooperation on energy, mining, agriculture

The News

Following high-level talks between Namibian Foreign Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in April 2026, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across energy, oil and gas, mining, agriculture, science and technology, education, tourism, infrastructure, and human resource development. Namibia emphasised the importance of adding value to natural resources including critical minerals through local processing, while both sides committed to enhancing cultural and youth exchanges.

21 April 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Namibia and China pledge cooperation on energy, mining, agriculture

    Following high-level talks between Namibian Foreign Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in April 2026, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across energy, oil and gas, mining, agriculture, science and technology, education, tourism, infrastructure, and human resource development. Namibia emphasised the importance of adding value to natural resources including critical minerals through local processing, while both sides committed to enhancing cultural and youth exchanges.

    21 April 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 20 April

  1. Namibia gains duty-free access to Chinese market from May 2026

    Namibia will access 100% duty-free entry into the Chinese market from 1 May 2026 under a "Pre-Early Harvest" arrangement. The government says the zero-tariff measure will boost industrialisation, strengthen export growth, and enhance Walvis Bay's role as a regional trade hub.

    20 April 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 18 April

  1. China pledges support for Namibian industrialisation and value addition

    China says it will support Namibian economic development and local processing of natural resources including uranium, according to a joint statement issued after a week-long visit by Namibia's trade minister. Namibia aims to shift from exporting raw materials to China towards processing and manufacturing value-added products locally in sectors such as green hydrogen, mining, and oil and gas.

    18 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Namibia urges Chinese investors to process minerals locally

    International Relations Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has called on Chinese investors to move beyond buying raw materials and instead invest in local industries such as minerals processing, agriculture, and manufacturing to help reduce Namibia's persistent trade deficit and create jobs. The minister noted that Namibia exports minerals including uranium and copper to China while importing manufactured goods, and stressed that adding value to resources locally is critical for closing the trade gap and creating economic benefits.

    15 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia seeks Chinese partnership for resource value addition

    Minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi called for stronger collaboration with China to add value to Namibia's natural resources and address the country's trade deficit, noting that Namibia exports mostly raw materials like uranium, copper, and fish while importing high-value finished goods. She highlighted Namibia's opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and tourism, and positioned the country as a regional manufacturing and logistics hub supported by Port of Walvis Bay expansion and enhanced border infrastructure.

    15 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Parliament scrutinizes diplomats' allowances and foreign mission costs

    MPs challenged whether Namibian diplomats overseas claiming car allowances while receiving government vehicles constitute "double-dipping," and questioned the N$113 million spent annually on renting properties for foreign missions. The Trade and International Relations minister defended the practices, stating double-dipping has been addressed, and noted that the government is gradually acquiring properties while focusing on opening additional missions in strategic locations.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Namibia prioritizes economic diplomacy with N$952m to foreign missions

    Namibia is repositioning its foreign policy to compete in a world where economic strength defines global standing, with 69.5% of the International Relations and Trade Ministry's N$1.37 billion budget allocated to foreign missions. Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi warned of emerging "electro state nations" and called for diplomatic missions to act as economic engines protecting national interests amid global instability and competition over critical minerals and technology.

    2 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia invites Brazil to invest in manufacturing and energy

    The Minister of International Relations Selma Ashipala-Musavyi invited the Brazilian private sector to establish manufacturing and processing plants in Namibia to add value to the country's oil, gas, and green hydrogen resources. She also highlighted opportunities for Brazilian investment in agriculture and agri-processing, and noted the strategic advantage of the direct shipping route between Walvis Bay and Santos ports.

    2 April 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. Brazil and Namibia expand oil, trade, and food cooperation

    Namibia and Brazil held high-level talks to deepen economic cooperation, with Brazil's energy minister confirming Petrobras' return to Namibia to support oil development and pledging support for food security and bilateral trade. Namibia is seeking Brazilian investment in oil and gas, agricultural technology, and value-added manufacturing to boost job creation and economic growth.

    1 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia and Brazil explore manufacturing and energy partnerships

    Namibia's minister of international relations has urged Brazilian companies to establish manufacturing and processing plants in the country for value addition of local products, highlighting Namibia's oil, gas, and green hydrogen resources. Brazil's foreign minister said Petrobras is returning to Namibia and expressed interest in technical dialogues on food exports, framing oil development as an opportunity to foster economic growth and finance low-carbon transitions.

    1 April 2026 · The Namibian →

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