Africa-Press. President Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia welcomed former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo during a courtesy visit, following their earlier meeting this year.
Their discussions focused on enhancing trade and investment relations between Namibia and Nigeria as a means to drive economic growth and create job opportunities.
Both Nandi-Ndaitwah and Obasanjo expressed their shared concern regarding ongoing global conflicts, emphasizing the importance of reaching peaceful and amicable solutions while discussing ways to empower Africa to navigate an increasingly turbulent global environment.
Earlier, President Nandi-Ndaitwah officially opened the Goringab Trade Centre in the Katutura area on Friday, June 5, 2026, stating that the project represents a significant step towards promoting inclusive economic development and empowering local communities.
In her speech during the opening ceremony, she noted that the trade centre is not just a commercial investment but also a comprehensive platform to bring essential services closer to citizens, contributing to job creation and supporting the rapid transformation of Katutura into a vibrant economic hub.
Nandi-Ndaitwah pointed out that Katutura has undergone radical transformations over the decades, evolving from an area associated with exclusion during the apartheid era to a lively community characterized by initiative and resilience.
The President welcomed investments from the Savland Group and Oryx Properties, praising their confidence in the promising economic potential of the Goringab and Katutura areas and their role in supporting the development trajectory.
She highlighted the direct economic impact of the project, explaining that it created approximately 300 job opportunities during the construction phase, with expectations of providing nearly 400 permanent jobs after it becomes operational.
In support of the local economy, the President urged entrepreneurs, youth, and business owners, particularly in the food sector, to enhance reliance on local products. She also encouraged producers and retailers to build partnerships that would develop local value chains and improve food security.
She affirmed that the agriculture sector remains a national priority, promoting the expansion of urban and peri-urban agriculture initiatives to meet local market needs and provide fresh products to shopping centers.
The President concluded her speech by inviting residents of the area to view the trade centre as a shared community facility, urging them to support and maintain it, expressing confidence that the Goringab Centre will become a sustainable hub for economic activity, investment, and community development in the coming years.
