Africa-Press – Namibia. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday welcomed Botswana President Dumo Boko and his delegation to State House for a one-day visit.
The two countries pledged to exchange strategies crucial in securing essential commodities such as oil flows, and to ensure ports remain open to facilitate the seamless movement of goods, thereby strengthening economic growth anchored on recent Bi-National Commission (BNC) agreements between the two nations.
The discussions were built on fostering deeper partnerships in the areas of trade, infrastructure, tourism, natural resources management and logistics. At the core of this is the key initiative of unlocking regional value chains through the Port of Walvis Bay. Speaking at the meeting, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the essential role the Port of Walvis Bay will play in enhancing competitiveness and advancing the soon-to-be-launched Trans-Kalahari Railway Corridor.
“Our team of ministers and technical team is ensuring that what was discussed at the Bi-National Commission is fully implemented,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said. “Thus far, we are satisfied with the progress that has been achieved as the discussions are ongoing, and we will continue to monitor progress. We can also use technology to assess the progress.”
With growing geopolitical tensions worldwide that may cause global financial instability, the initiatives create a cushion for the two countries to counter these uncertainties. In response, President Boko underscored the need for enhanced infrastructure, trade corridors, and technology deployment to ease the movement of goods and people. “We must be the leaders because between us at the Mamuno border, people move freely and we want things to be even more seamless. We will deploy technology because the direction we are going is no longer one-stop border post. The language now is ‘no-stop border post’.”
“We will have a single window that ensures that goods move freely and seamlessly and they move our economies,” Boko stated.
He also expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved between the two nations so far and called for more dialogue between the two countries.
“This is critical and so to ensure that this happens, we need to meet regularly. We need to reflect on progress, and we need to examine where we are. We need to get regular updates. Some of them we will get via electronic means – virtually, but we also need to meet physically and engage,” he said. “We should have regular consultations to assess progress and make sure that what we have agreed is being implemented to serve our people,” he added.
Also speaking at the meeting, Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Kenewendo, said that her ministry is committed to ensuring that cooperation takes place in fuel, especially in relation to the BNC.
“There has been great progress since the last time we were here on the BNC. Indeed, they have done what was outstanding and they have moved with great speed, and we thank them for that cooperation,” Kenewendo said.
The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, echoed her counterpart’s sentiments, stating that cooperation is needed for the beneficiation of the entire Africa.
“I think it is stronger when we put our minds together and coordinate and see where we could explore, especially in that area of minerals for the benefit of the people on the continent,” said Amutse.
More areas of bilateral cooperation
President Nandi-Ndaitwah and President Boko further reflected on their shared participation in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, underscoring the importance of conservation and sustainable development.
In the context of rising geopolitical tensions globally, both sides emphasised the need for closer cooperation among neighbours to navigate an increasingly uncertain environment, guided by shared values of international cooperation, respect for international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
The visit marks a continued strengthening of bilateral relations between Namibia and Botswana.
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