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Wednesday, 21 October 2026
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Wednesday, 21 October 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Selma Ashipala-Musavyi

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

Selma Ashipala-Musavyi — Minister of International Relations and Trade, leading bilateral trade initiatives and tabling tariff management legislation.

2025-11-162026-10-21
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News reports

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  1. January 2026

  2. Informanté

    Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi urged the U.S. government to extend AGOA

    Source

    “The Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, was among the leaders who raised concerns about the programme's potential cessation and urged the U.S. government to extend it.”

    U.S. House of Representatives votes to renew AGOA

  3. New Era

    Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi stated that bilateral talks between Namibia and Germany are still ongoing and all diplomatic channels remain open

    Source

    “Ashipala-Musavyi, in a wide-ranging interview with the Russian state-owned international news network, stated that bilateral talks between Namibia and Germany are still ongoing and all diplomatic channels remain open, as both governments continue to work towards lasting solutions in redressing the wrongs of the past.”

    Genocide struggle not over – Minister

  4. New Era

    Ashipala-Musavyi stated that Namibia is demanding that Germany offer a formal apology

    Source

    “And yes, we are demanding that Germany offer a formal apology, and that whole process is still under negotiation.”

    Genocide struggle not over – Minister

  5. The Namibian

    International relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has the leadership to make decisive choices for Namibia

    Source

    “Under president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, prime minister Elijah Ngurare, and international relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Namibia has the leadership to make decisive choices.”

    13 Issues That Could Shape Namibia’s Investment Future
  6. November 2025

  7. The Namibian

    Minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi met with newly appointed councillor Marbeline Sabatha on 10 November

    Source

    “Minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi met with newly appointed councillor Marbeline Sabatha on 10 November to bid her farewell before her diplomatic posting to the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville).”

    Minister sends new Congo diplomat off
Business

Namibia, Angola establish commission to revive declining trade

The News

Namibia and Angola have agreed to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation through an inaugural Bi-National Commission, with Trade and International Relations Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi proposing a digital scorecard to monitor implementation of agreed commitments. The move aims to reverse declining trade between the two countries by leveraging their geographical proximity and people-to-people relations.

20 October 2026 · New Era →

Yesterday

  1. Namibia, Angola establish commission to revive declining trade

    Namibia and Angola have agreed to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation through an inaugural Bi-National Commission, with Trade and International Relations Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi proposing a digital scorecard to monitor implementation of agreed commitments. The move aims to reverse declining trade between the two countries by leveraging their geographical proximity and people-to-people relations.

    20 October 2026 · New Era →

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 →

  2. Namibia–Angola Business Forum set for October 2026

    Namibia's ministry of international relations and trade, the NIPDB and chamber of commerce have invited Namibian companies to a business forum on 17 October 2026 in Luanda, aimed at strengthening economic ties, expanding trade, and establishing investment partnerships. The delegation, led by International Relations and Trade Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, will focus on priority sectors including agriculture, oil and gas, mining, finance, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

    12 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  3. Trade Minister tables international trade management bill

    International Relations and Trade Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi tabled the International Trade Management Bill, 2026 in the National Assembly.

    12 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Thursday 8 October

  1. Minister tables International Trade Management Bill in Parliament

    Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has tabled the International Trade Management Bill in Parliament, which seeks to establish an International Trade Management Commission to oversee Namibia's tariff regime and international trade matters. The Commission will investigate, determine, and recommend tariff adjustments based on economic analysis and consistency with Namibia's regional and international obligations.

    8 October 2026 · Informanté →

  2. National Assembly resumes fourth session with multiple policy updates

    The National Assembly resumed its fourth session of the eighth Parliament on Tuesday, with updates on medical laboratory students receiving psychosocial support and alternative study options through NUST and NSFAF, discussion of judicial reforms including a proposed Constitutional Court, plans for South African experts to visit Namibia to discuss reopening livestock auctions suspended after a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and the Speaker raising concerns about a growing backlog of parliamentary questions.

    8 October 2026 · New Era →

  3. Government tables trade commission bill to manage tariffs

    The government has tabled the International Trade Management Bill, 2026, which would establish the Namibia International Trade Commission as a statutory body responsible for managing national tariffs, protecting commercial interests, and investigating unfair trade practices such as dumping and subsidised imports.

    8 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 6 October

  1. OPM tackles N$15bn backlog of stalled investment projects

    The Office of the Prime Minister is moving to unlock N$15 billion in investments delayed by land, environmental, visa and regulatory obstacles. Twenty-seven projects have created 6,600 jobs over three years, while 94 projects in the pipeline could create about 22,000 additional jobs, but 15 projects face specific bottlenecks.

    6 October 2026 · The Namibian →

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 →

Friday 2 October

  1. 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 →

Thursday 24 September

  1. Namibia plans to divide FMD-free zone into smaller areas

    Namibia is developing a plan to divide its foot-and-mouth disease-free livestock zone into smaller zones following an FMD outbreak at a commercial farm in the ||Kharas region. Authorities are assessing costs and logistics, though some farmers worry stricter movement controls could create operational bottlenecks.

    24 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 21 September

  1. Namibia pushes for development-focused UN reform

    Namibia's International Relations and Trade Minister told the 81st UN General Assembly session that the global body must prioritise socio-economic development for developing countries alongside peace and security, and pursue reforms to strengthen the General Assembly and reform the Security Council to give the Global South greater voice in multilateral decisions.

    21 September 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 17 September

  1. PDM MP questions government on food price protection measures

    Parliamentarian Winnie Moongo asked the government what strategies are in place to prevent unjustifiably high prices for essential food items and how it monitors pricing practices across the food supply chain, citing significant price differences for the same products between retailers and regions.

    17 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. UN adopts resolution to correct Africa's size on world maps

    Namibia's UN ambassador said the "Correct the Map" resolution, adopted 164–1–6, addresses historical injustices against Africa and Africans by encouraging map projections that accurately represent the continent's relative size, which is distorted on commonly used maps.

    17 September 2026 · New Era →

  3. China and Namibia elevate ties to community with shared future

    China and Namibia have agreed to deepen economic, diplomatic and people-to-people cooperation following the elevation of bilateral relations to a China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era, an agreement reached during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to China in July.

    17 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. Namibia's pig industry faces shortage of specialist veterinarians

    Namibia's pig producers say the sector lacks veterinarians specialising in pigs, which could challenge growth as local producers currently supply about 41% of pork consumed in Namibia. Industry leaders suggest farmers can manage health risks through vaccination and biosecurity, and that general veterinarians and South African specialists can still assist when disease problems arise.

    16 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 26 August

  1. Ashipala-Musavyi urges Congo to boost trade and Namibian investment

    The Minister of International Relations called on the Republic of the Congo to increase investment and strengthen economic cooperation, highlighting agricultural and agro-processing value chains, particularly Namibian beef, as key areas for expansion under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

    26 August 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 22 August

  1. Namibia and Congo sign health and culture cooperation agreements

    Namibia and the Republic of Congo have signed two memoranda of understanding on cooperation in health and culture and the arts during inaugural political and diplomatic consultations in Brazzaville, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and unlocking economic opportunities for their citizens.

    22 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 31 July

  1. Cabinet approves mining policy for protected areas

    The Cabinet has approved a new national policy to regulate prospecting and mining in protected areas and other environmentally sensitive zones, balancing mineral development with environmental conservation. Namibia has also been authorised to sign the statute of the African Mineral Development Centre, enabling participation in the African Union agency dedicated to sustainable mineral development.

    31 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 25 July

  1. Government advances trade management bill and investment laws

    The government is progressing on a draft international trade management bill to establish an International Trade Management Commission that will oversee trade remedies, tariff investigations, and import-export controls. A separate investment promotion and facilitation bill, which completed public consultations between December 2025 and January 2026, is being prepared for parliament to create a more transparent investment process.

    25 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 24 July

  1. Namibia's meat exports reach N$1.43 billion in five months

    Namibia exported meat worth N$1.43 billion during the first five months of 2026, reflecting strength in the country's agricultural export sector. Minister Ashipala-Musavyi reported that ores, slag and ash led exports at 29.6%, followed by precious stones and metals at 26.1% and fish and crustaceans at 14.3%, while lower imports and stronger export growth improved Namibia's trade balance.

    24 July 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 18 July

  1. Namibia's trade deficit with South Africa totals N$28.63 billion

    Namibia's total trade with South Africa reached N$86 billion in 2025, with imports of N$57.84 billion against exports of N$29.21 billion, reflecting a persistent trade deficit driven by structural industrial gaps, according to the Minister of International Relations and Trade at the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission meeting.

    18 July 2026 · Informanté →

  2. France, Namibia mark Bastille Day with diplomatic celebration

    France's ambassador to Namibia hosted a Bastille Day event at her residence in Windhoek, attended by the minister of international relations and trade. Both nations reaffirmed their long-standing friendship, with Namibia's minister noting France was among the first European countries to recognize Swapo and highlighting shared commitment to economic cooperation and sustainable development.

    18 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 July

  1. Venaani calls on president to address Orange River border dispute

    PDM leader McHenry Venaani has urged President Nandi-Ndaitwah to use her visit to South Africa to push for resolution of the long-standing Orange River boundary dispute with South Africa. Venaani says the dispute has remained unresolved since independence and requires urgent political attention, and that he has tabled a motion in the National Assembly calling for the matter to be debated.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 July

  1. Namibia, South Africa meet to deepen 150 bilateral agreements

    Presidents Nandi-Ndaitwah and Ramaphosa are set to meet in Pretoria to co-chair the Fourth Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission, with directives expected to strengthen trade, investment, border management, infrastructure and energy cooperation between the two countries. Several new agreements and memoranda of understanding are also expected to be signed.

    16 July 2026 · New Era →

  2. Nandi-Ndaitwah, Ramaphosa to co-chair bilateral summit July 2026

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will co-chair the Fourth Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Pretoria on 17 July 2026, with discussions focused on trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and regional cooperation. The BNC serves as the highest permanent bilateral cooperation mechanism between the two countries, supported by more than 150 agreements covering political, diplomatic, economic, social, defence and security cooperation.

    16 July 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Namibia seeks Chinese investment in minerals, energy, infrastructure

    The Minister of International Relations called on Chinese businesses to deepen investment in Namibia, specifically in mineral beneficiation, critical minerals processing, hydrocarbon exploration, renewable energy, and infrastructure development during the Namibia–China Business Forum in Shanghai.

    8 July 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 7 July

  1. President invites Chinese investment in mining, energy, agriculture

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has invited Chinese investors to partner with Namibia in mining, agriculture, renewable energy, logistics, and infrastructure, seeking to shift the economy from raw material exports to value addition and industrialisation. Speaking at the Namibia-China Business Forum in Guangzhou, she said Namibia is open for trade and investment and ready to deepen economic and political ties with China.

    7 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. 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 →

Selma Ashipala-Musavyi — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute