Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited Namibia, marking the beginning of his four-nation tour across Africa with the aim of solidifying relations and exploring investment opportunities between the two countries. His visit, occurring on January 7, 2024, reflected the long-standing diplomatic ties and mutual interests shared by China and Namibia.
During his visit, Wang met with Namibia's President-elect, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, as well as the incumbent president Nangolo Mbumba, delivering warm congratulations from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Nandi-Ndaitwah, who has made history as Namibia's first female president. Wang emphasized the significance of the visit, stating, "Chinese foreign ministers have made Africa the destination of their first overseas visit for 35 consecutive years," illustrating China's commitment to fostering stronger ties with African nations.
This year celebrates the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Namibia, with both Wang and Nandi-Ndaitwah expressing optimism about the partnership's potential. Wang acknowledged the successful outcomes of last year's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing, where President Xi announced ten partnership action plans aimed at pushing forward modernization collaboration.
Highlighting Namibia’s rich resources, especially its position as one of the world's top uranium producers, Wang noted China’s readiness to assist Namibia to transform its resource advantages—such as uranium, copper, and other minerals—into sustainable societal benefits. Africa's call for enhanced cooperation and partnership was also echoed by Mbumba, who remarked on Namibia's quest for investments, particularly in nuclear, wind, and solar energy sectors as part of the broader global transition to green energy.
"Namibia has unique resource endowments and huge development potential," Wang stated during discussions held at Swakopmund, underlining the strategic objectives both countries hold. With bilateral trade between China and Namibia reaching $1.31 billion—a substantial increase of 16.5 percent from the previous year—the economic relationship is set to thrive as both sides explore avenues to deepen their interactions.
Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the historical friendship between the two nations, expressing her gratitude for China's consistent support for Namibia’s development path anchored on the one-China principle. The commitment to enhancing cooperation across trade, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy resources reflects Namibia’s strategic goal of leveraging its resources for comprehensive development.
During discussions, the leaders emphasized the importance of fostering political trust and enhancing exchanges between their respective parties. Wang noted, “We are willing to deepen political mutual trust and provide guidance and security for the development of our bilateral relations,” which sets the groundwork for more direct cooperation and mutual learning.
With 2025 marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, both countries agreed on the need for stronger strategic coordination on multilateral platforms to uphold international fairness and justice—showing their commitment to becoming reliable partners on the global stage.
Overall, Wang Yi's visit to Namibia not only symbolizes China's enduring commitment to Africa but also highlights the immense potential for future cooperation, as both nations seek to maximize their collaborative efforts for mutual growth. The discussions during this visit have set the tone for increased partnerships and opportunities for economic advancement, demonstrating the shared vision and aspirations of Namibia and China.