President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Namibian and Angolan parliamentarians to strengthen oversight of bilateral agreements to ensure that commitments made by the two governments translate into improved services, increased trade and employment opportunities.
Addressing Angola’s National Assembly during her State visit on Monday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Parliament had an important role in ensuring that agreements reached between the two countries were implemented.
She said the responsibility of elected representatives went beyond speaking on behalf of their constituencies, as they also had to ensure that government decisions improved people’s lives.
“Parliaments play an indispensable role in translating national commitments into tangible outcomes,” she said.
The President said legislatures were responsible for passing laws, allocating resources and holding the executive accountable. She said parliamentary oversight could help ensure that decisions made under the Angola-Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC) received the necessary resources and attention.
Her address came a day after the two countries held the ministerial session of the inaugural BNC, which is co-chaired by the heads of state.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the establishment of the commission marked an important step in strengthening cooperation between Namibia and Angola by bringing their political, economic, social, defence and security relations under a more coordinated framework.
She said the two countries had concluded more than 60 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding over the years, while seven additional agreements were signed during the inaugural BNC.
“The success of those instruments cannot be measured by the number of instruments signed. It must be measured by the positive changes they make in the lives of our people: reliable services, greater trade, productive investment and decent jobs,” she said.
The President said parliamentarians could help ensure that commitments were followed by implementation through legislation, budget allocations and oversight.
She also called for regular exchanges between the two parliaments to strengthen dialogue and cooperation.
Nandi-Ndaitwah recalled a working visit to Namibia in November 2025 by Angola’s parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, International Cooperation and Angolan Communities Abroad.
She said the visit had strengthened engagement between parliamentary representatives and encouraged further exchanges, including through the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum, which is headquartered in Windhoek.
The President also highlighted opportunities for cooperation between universities and institutions of higher learning in the two countries.
She said student exchanges, research and collaboration in water, energy, agriculture, engineering and languages could help equip young people with skills needed to develop their economies.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the relationship between Namibia and Angola was built on their shared history and the support Angola provided during Namibia’s liberation struggle.
She recalled that Angola opened its doors to the South West Africa People’s Organisation and thousands of Namibians in exile, providing refuge, education and medical care.
The head of State also paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the struggle, particularly the victims of the Cassinga massacre of 4 May 1978.
The President said Namibia would not forget the sacrifices made by Namibians, Angolans and Cubans in the fight for Namibia’s independence.
She said the two countries now had a responsibility to turn their historic relationship into economic opportunities for their citizens.
“Our shared past places a responsibility upon us. We must honour the generation that fought for political freedom by securing economic opportunity for the generations that follow,” she said.
Trade integration
Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed Angola’s decision to join the SADC Free Trade Area and the finalisation of its tariff offer with member states in February 2025.
She said the remaining domestic processes needed to be completed to make the regional trade arrangement operational in Angola, allowing businesses and citizens to benefit from agreed trade preferences.
She said regional integration should open markets, strengthen productive capacity and enable African businesses to compete and grow.
The President also called for stronger cooperation on the protection of children, the prevention of human trafficking, shared water resources and the legal certainty needed for trade and investment.
She said cooperation between the two countries should improve the lives of people in border communities, including traders who face delays when crossing the border. Nandi-Ndaitwah further encouraged cooperation in addressing social and economic challenges affecting women and children and improving access to essential services.
She said Namibia and Angola needed to ensure that the benefits of their bilateral partnership reached communities in both countries. The President also extended Namibia’s good wishes to Angola ahead of its 2027 general elections, calling for peaceful, free and fair elections that strengthen democratic institutions.
She said the two countries should move from agreements to implementation and use their cooperation to improve the lives of present and future generations.
– ljason@nepc.com.na
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