Namibia and Angola have signed seven agreements covering areas including trade, border management, infrastructure, water and energy security, as the two countries seek to strengthen bilateral cooperation and improve economic opportunities for their citizens.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced the agreements during the inaugural session of the Angola-Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Luanda on Monday.
She said the agreements added to more than 60 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding already concluded between the two countries.
“During this BNC, we have signed seven agreements,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said in her address.
She said the agreements provide a legal framework for cooperation in several sectors, including law enforcement, border management, trade, infrastructure development, water and energy security, transport connectivity, education and health.
However, the President said the success of the agreements would depend on their implementation rather than the number signed.
“Our people will not be impressed by the number of agreements we signed; they want to see a positive impact on their day-to-day lives,” she said.
The commission brings together the two heads of state to provide political direction and monitor the implementation of commitments made by their governments.
Civil servants
Nandi-Ndaitwah said ministers and government officials must ensure that the agreements are implemented and produce measurable benefits.
“The true measure of their value lies in their effective implementation, which delivers tangible benefits to our peoples,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah called for the urgent completion of work linked to extending the Cafu Canal water infrastructure into Namibia and commissioning permanent pumping stations at Calueque.
She said the projects could help address Namibia’s water challenges and support agricultural development.
Namibia is an arid country, and access to reliable water supplies remains important for agriculture and economic development.
The President also highlighted the proposed railway extension from Oshikango to Santa Clara, saying it could improve connectivity, reduce transport costs and facilitate the movement of goods between the two countries.
She called on institutions in both countries to continue technical discussions and develop practical plans to implement the projects.
Energy cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Angola-Namibia Interconnector Project, for which an agreement was concluded in 2026, could strengthen energy security and support economic development in both countries and the wider Southern African region.
She also highlighted the proposed Baynes hydropower project as an important regional infrastructure initiative.
President Lourenço
Angolan president João Lourenço also called for the two countries to turn their commitments into practical results that benefit their populations.
“Above all, we must seek to transform our intentions and values into measurable results that produce an ideal benefit for our people,” Lourenço said.
He said the countries needed to implement existing agreements and those still to be concluded to support economic and social development.
The two leaders also discussed infrastructure and energy projects that could strengthen cooperation between their countries and improve regional connectivity.
Lourenço noted that the countries should continue working towards the construction of the Baynes hydropower dam and explore further cooperation in energy, industry, agriculture and water management.
He also raised the possibility of Namibia participating in Angola’s Lobito refinery project, alongside cooperation in petroleum products, logistics, storage and distribution.
The Angolan president said private businesses had an important role to play in turning economic opportunities into investments.
He identified the Angola-Namibia Business Forum as a platform for bringing entrepreneurs together and identifying projects that could support investment and economic growth.
Attention needed
Trade between the two countries has also been identified as an area requiring attention.
The two countries are looking to improve market access, facilitate cross-border trade and encourage businesses to invest in each other’s economies.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said delays, administrative procedures and transport constraints along the common border increased the cost of doing business and affected small-scale traders.
She called for stronger cooperation among customs, immigration and other border authorities to facilitate legitimate trade.
The inaugural BNC follows the decision taken in 2019 to elevate the two countries’ cooperation from a Joint Commission of Cooperation to a mechanism co-chaired by their heads of state.
The commission covers political, diplomatic, economic, social, defence and security cooperation.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the implementation of the agreements required the involvement of all relevant government institutions.
She said the two countries must ensure that their cooperation contributes to poverty reduction, addresses inequality and creates decent employment opportunities.
The agreements and projects discussed at the commission are intended to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across several sectors.
The two governments are expected to continue working through their institutions to implement the commitments made under the BNC.
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