Dar es Salaam. Tanzania and Namibia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties, with the leaders of the two countries calling for deeper economic cooperation to complement their long-standing political and historical relations.
The commitment was made during official talks at State House in Dar es Salaam between Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Namibia’s President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is on a three-day state visit to Tanzania after arriving on June 19, 2026.
Addressing the media after the talks, President Samia said the relationship between Tanzania and Namibia had remained strong for decades, but economic cooperation had yet to reach its full potential.
“The strength of our historic ties must now be matched by stronger trade, investment and job creation for our people,” President Samia said.
She noted that both countries had agreed to expand cooperation in key sectors, including trade, investment, the blue economy, oil and gas, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, mining, health, education, tourism, aviation, youth development and culture. The leaders also discussed promoting Kiswahili and strengthening air connectivity between the two nations.
Trade between Tanzania and Namibia currently stands at approximately USD 20 million. Tanzania’s main exports to Namibia include tea, coffee and cashew nuts, while imports from Namibia consist largely of beer, wine, beef and seafood.
President Samia said Tanzania was continuing to improve its business environment and encouraged Namibian investors to use the country as a gateway to markets across East, Central and Southern Africa.
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She highlighted investment opportunities in ports and logistics, agriculture and agro-processing, livestock, fisheries, manufacturing, mining, services and the energy sector.
The talks culminated in the signing of four cooperation agreements covering trade promotion, small and medium enterprise development, defence cooperation, and a municipal partnership between Zanzibar and Namibia’s Swakopmund Municipality.
Later, the two leaders addressed the Tanzania–Namibia Business and Investment Forum in Dar es Salaam, where government officials, investors and business leaders explored new opportunities for commercial collaboration.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah praised Tanzania for its support during Namibia’s liberation struggle and commended the country’s economic progress and leadership in regional cooperation.
She said the success of the renewed partnership should be measured not by the number of agreements signed, but by the tangible benefits delivered to citizens.
“Let us move from opportunity to production, from dialogue to action, and build a partnership that delivers jobs and development for our people,” she said.
The Namibian leader urged the private sector to transform political goodwill into bankable investments, industries and employment opportunities.
She emphasized that stronger economic links between Tanzania and Namibia could help establish a strategic commercial bridge between East and Southern Africa, boosting trade, investment and job creation across the region.
Beyond economic cooperation, the two leaders discussed regional and international matters, including the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC). President Samia also sought Namibia’s support for Tanzania’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2029–2030 term.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah also reflected on her long personal connection with Tanzania. During Namibia’s liberation struggle, she lived in the country while serving as the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) representative. As part of her visit, she toured her former residence in Magomeni, Dar es Salaam.
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On Sunday, she travelled to Kongwa District in Dodoma Region, where she thanked local residents for hosting Namibian freedom fighters during the liberation struggle.
She also visited the former SWAPO training camp where Namibia’s founding president, Sam Nujoma, once stayed and where her husband, retired Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, former Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, received military training.
The visit is expected to open a new chapter in bilateral relations as both governments seek to transform their historic friendship into concrete economic gains and shared prosperity for their people.
