Oil and gas top BNC agenda
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has identified energy, including oil and gas, as a key pillar of future cooperation with Namibia, calling for bilateral agreements to be translated into investment, infrastructure and jobs.
Speaking at the close of the Fourth Session of the South Africa-Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC) on Friday, Ramaphosa said the two countries had laid the groundwork for a new phase of economic cooperation centred on strategic sectors, including energy, mining and emerging industries.
"Our deliberations have not only reviewed implementation of previous commitments but have also identified a new generation of strategic initiatives that will deepen cooperation across many sectors," he said.
Ramaphosa said South Africa and Namibia were looking to conclude cooperation in nuclear energy, geology and mining, while also expanding collaboration in emerging energy industries as both countries seek to unlock new investment opportunities.
His remarks come as Namibia continues to attract global attention following major offshore oil discoveries, while both countries pursue energy security, industrialisation and regional value chains.
Ramaphosa said the task now was to ensure commitments made through the BNC were implemented.
"The task before us now is clear. We must move decisively from agreement to implementation," he said.
He said the commission's success would not be measured by communiqués but by the factories built, infrastructure completed, investments realised and jobs created.
Beyond energy, Ramaphosa said the two governments had reaffirmed cooperation in trade, investment, industrialisation, agriculture, transport and logistics, education, health, science and technology, and defence and security.
He said South Africa and Namibia possessed the natural resources, institutional capacity, skilled workforce and political will to develop globally competitive industries capable of serving both domestic and African markets.
Looking ahead to South Africa's chairship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Ramaphosa said Pretoria would work closely with Windhoek to strengthen regional infrastructure, improve food and energy security, and accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He said the relationship between South Africa and Namibia had evolved beyond its liberation struggle roots into one increasingly defined by economic transformation, innovation and shared prosperity.
Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to strengthening ties with Namibia and said he looked forward to attending the Fifth Session of the Bi-National Commission, which will be hosted by Namibia.
