Namibia is actively courting Chinese investment across multiple strategic sectors, positioning itself as China’s premier cooperation partner in southern Africa. The African nation’s newly appointed ambassador to China, Tonata Itenge-Emvula, has articulated a clear vision for bilateral economic collaboration rooted in mutual benefit and sustainable development.
With China already established as Namibia’s largest source of foreign direct investment—accounting for approximately 30% of total inflows—and its second-largest trading partner after South Africa, the foundation for expanded cooperation is firmly established. More than 50 Chinese enterprises currently operate within Namibian borders, including major stakeholders in significant mining operations such as the Husab Mine and Rossing Uranium Mine.
The investment priorities identified by Namibia align strategically with China’s global leadership areas, particularly renewable energy technologies, agricultural modernization, and large-scale industrial processing. Namibia is rapidly emerging as a green energy frontier, with its southern coastline hosting one of Africa’s most advanced large-scale green hydrogen initiatives. The country’s abundant wind and solar resources position it to produce clean fuels, green ammonia, and sustainable industrial products for global markets, including China’s expanding clean energy sector.
Recent offshore oil discoveries exceeding 3 billion barrels have further elevated Namibia’s status as an emerging petroleum region. Ambassador Itenge-Emvula specifically encouraged Chinese investors to participate in refining and downstream processing operations, moving beyond raw material exports to build industrial capacity that generates employment and develops local expertise.
Agriculture and food processing represent another priority sector for enhanced cooperation. Through targeted investments in irrigation infrastructure, cold chain technology, and modern agro-processing facilities, Namibia aims to transform into a reliable supplier of premium food products to Asian markets while supporting China’s food security objectives.
As the world’s third-largest uranium producer with significant deposits of lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper, Namibia serves as a crucial supplier of minerals essential to new energy industries. The ambassador emphasized the importance of developing local value chains and mineral processing capabilities rather than continuing the export of unprocessed ore.
These opportunities are strengthened through Namibia’s active participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative, which provide favorable financing arrangements, trade facilitation measures, and technology exchange mechanisms for enterprises from both nations.