Namibia has secured a series of cooperation agreements with China covering infrastructure, mining, energy, agriculture, and economic development during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s state visit to Beijing. According to Reuters and Xinhua, the two countries signed eight cooperation agreements, including a framework on economic partnership and collaboration in green minerals, as China pledged to deepen investment and technical cooperation to support Namibia’s economic diversification and industrialisation agenda.
The visit, President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s first official trip outside Africa since taking office in 2025, focused on attracting investment to create jobs and accelerate economic growth. During talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, both leaders agreed to expand cooperation in infrastructure construction, energy, mining, agriculture, education, science and technology, while placing particular emphasis on the development of critical minerals such as uranium, lithium, and rare earth elements. The agreements also promote local mineral processing, technology transfer, and skills development to increase value addition within Namibia rather than relying solely on raw commodity exports.
China remains Namibia’s largest lender and one of its most important trading partners, purchasing about a quarter of the country’s exports, with uranium accounting for the majority of shipments. Chinese companies have invested an estimated $4.2 billion in Namibia, primarily in the metals and mining sector. The strengthened partnership also aligns with Namibia’s ambition to become a major energy producer following significant offshore oil discoveries by Shell and TotalEnergies, while advancing opportunities in renewable energy, green hydrogen, transport infrastructure, and industrial development.
For Namibia, the agreements reinforce the country’s strategy of leveraging its abundant natural resources to drive industrialisation and sustainable economic growth. Analysts say deeper cooperation with China could accelerate infrastructure development, attract additional foreign direct investment, expand downstream mineral processing, and strengthen Namibia’s position as one of Africa’s emerging hubs for mining, energy, and critical minerals.
