Namibia hosts historic Commonwealth Summit to bolster trade
George DinyandoIn a historic first, Namibia welcomed global leaders to Windhoek for the Commonwealth Business Summit - the first of its kind hosted outside the United Kingdom.
Kicking off on Monday and officially opened on Wednesday, the summit aims to drive intra-Commonwealth trade to U$2 trillion by 2030, fostering resilient and inclusive economic growth.
International relations and trade minister, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, opened the summit with a call for bold collaboration. “Let us navigate the future together, boldly, inclusively, and sustainably,” she said, positioning Namibia as a regional leader ready to deepen Commonwealth ties.
Running alongside the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting, the summit focuses on digital innovation, renewable energy, agriculture, and transport logistics - sectors where Namibia holds a strategic edge. Commonwealth secretary-general Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey emphasised the need for action-oriented partnerships.
“Where others close doors, we must open them. When others speak of risk, we must speak of possibility,” she said, framing the US$2 trillion trade goal as ambitious but achievable.
Namibia’s growing trade and investment profile
Namibia is already a key player in Commonwealth trade. In 2024, the country exported US$3.2 billion in goods to Commonwealth nations, accounting for 49% of its total exports, while importing US$4.2 billion, according to Nangula Uaandja, CEO of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). Foreign direct investment (FDI) from Commonwealth countries reached US$613 million in 2024, contributing to a three-year total of US$5.4 billion, with South Africa, Mauritius, and the UK leading investments.
“Namibia offers policy stability, infrastructure readiness, and access to regional markets,” Uaandja said, highlighting the country’s role as a gateway to Africa-wide trade.