Africa-Press – Namibia. Trade between Namibia and Belgium reached unprecedented levels, with total trade topping N$8 billion in 2024, positioning the western European country among Namibia’s top five export markets globally.
Namibia’s ambassador to Belgium Alfredo Hengari disclosed these figures shortly after presenting his letters of credence to His Majesty King Philippe at the Royal Palace in Brussels on Wednesday, formally assuming his duty as the country’s head of mission to Belgium.
Speaking after the ceremony, Hengari described the economic partnership between Namibia and Belgium as “structurally strong, expanding and strategically important for Namibia’s global trade ambitions.”
“Belgium has emerged as Namibia’s fifth-largest export destination globally. In 2024, total trade reached over N$7.86 billion, more than doubling from the levels recorded in 2022,” he said.
He stressed that Namibia continues to enjoy a significant and sustained trade surplus with Belgium, a development he described as critical to strengthening the country’s economic position.
“In 2023, our trade surplus peaked at N$4.98 billion. Although it slightly moderated to N$4.55 billion in 2024 due to a temporary rise in imports, the underlying structure of the trade relationship remains firmly in Namibia’s favour,” he said.
According to Hengari, exports are the backbone of the partnership. Namibia exported goods worth N$6.20 billion to Belgium in 2024, reflecting strong growth from N$3.29 billion in 2022.
“Belgium serves as a crucial European gateway for Namibian products, particularly our mineral exports. This sustained growth confirms the competitiveness and reliability of Namibia as a supplier,” he noted.
Diversification
The ambassador said that while refined copper continues to dominate Namibia’s exports to Belgium, the ambassador pointed to notable diversification in the export basket.
Industrial diamonds and other precious metals have grown significantly in importance, alongside increased exports of ores such as copper, zinc, silver and nickel. “This diversification is a positive development. It shows that our trade relationship is evolving beyond dependence on a single commodity. A broader export base enhances resilience and strengthens Namibia’s long-term economic prospects,” Hengari said.
He also addressed the sharp increase in imports recorded in 2024, explaining that it was largely driven by mineral fuel transactions, which he described as an anomaly.
“In 2025, imports declined substantially and returned to a more stable pattern, consisting mainly of pharmaceuticals, machinery and specialised manufactured goods. For the period January to October 2025, Namibia recorded a trade surplus of N$2.28 billion,” he added.
Beyond trade figures, Hengari highlighted a major diplomatic development that signals growing confidence in bilateral relations.
“The decision by Belgium to open a resident embassy in Windhoek in the first half of 2027 is a strong vote of confidence in Namibia. It reflects the positive trajectory of our bilateral engagement,” he said.
He explained that a permanent Belgian diplomatic presence in Namibia would unlock new opportunities in renewable energy, green hydrogen, climate resilience, infrastructure development, higher education and scientific research.
“A resident embassy will facilitate faster investment decisions, promote technology transfer and strengthen business-to-business partnerships. It will create a more direct and effective framework for cooperation,” Hengari said.
The ambassador further recalled that relations between the two nations date back to the liberation struggle, when Belgium hosted an international conference in 1972 to mobilise support for Namibia’s independence under SWAPO.
“Since independence, and particularly between 2015 and 2025, our relations have grown exponentially. What we are witnessing today is the consolidation of a long-standing friendship into a dynamic and forward-looking economic partnership,” he said.
Hengari emphasised that Namibia is positioning itself as both a reliable supplier of critical minerals and an emerging player in green industrialisation.
“Our engagement with Belgium is about building a future-oriented partnership anchored in sustainability, innovation and shared prosperity,” he said.
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