COUNTRY:  NAMIBIA.

Namibia is preparing to strengthen its economic partnership with Russia, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah set to seek new investment, trade and technology opportunities at the Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow on 28–29 October 2026. Namibia wants practical partnerships that support job creation, industrialisation, skills development and economic diversification. The president’s visit will focus on attracting investment while ensuring that cooperation delivers tangible benefits for Namibia’s economy.

The summit will give Namibia an opportunity to engage Russian officials, investors and business leaders on cooperation in mining, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education and technology. The Namibian newspaper reported on 24 October that Nandi-Ndaitwah also intends to promote mineral beneficiation, which involves processing raw minerals locally to increase their value before export. Namibia hopes these partnerships will encourage technology transfer, expand markets for local products and create employment. The summit’s discussions will also cover food security, industrial development and economic cooperation between Russia and African countries.

Namibia’s planned engagement builds on earlier efforts to address the imbalance in trade between the two countries. At the Namibia–Russia Business Forum in Windhoek in March 2026, Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi highlighted opportunities to expand Namibian exports and attract investment in mining, agriculture, manufacturing and logistics. According to Informanté’s report on the business forum, Namibia exported goods worth approximately US$13 million to Russia in 2024, while imports from Russia reached US$39.5 million. The upcoming summit therefore offers Namibia an opportunity to pursue more balanced trade, strengthen domestic industries and turn longstanding diplomatic relations into practical economic gains.

Photo Source: Namibian
Author: Olivia Adams.