Patience Makwele
Namibia has called on Brazilian companies to invest in its local manufacturing and processing sector.
The call was made during talks in Windhoek on Tuesday between Namibia’s minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi and Brazil’s minister of foreign affairs, Mauro Vieira.
Ashipala-Musavyi said Namibia’s natural resources, including recent oil and gas discoveries and planned green hydrogen projects, offer opportunities beyond extraction.
“We encourage Brazilian companies to establish manufacturing and processing plants in Namibia to add value to these resources locally,” she said.
The talks focused on expanding cooperation in energy, agriculture and trade.
Vieira said Brazil is interested in Namibia’s energy sector, pointing to the involvement of Petrobras in an offshore exploration block in the Lüderitz Basin.
“The wealth generated by the oil industry creates opportunities for economic growth, job creation and social inclusion,” he said.
He said companies from both countries are engaging and could expand cooperation.
Discussions also covered agriculture and trade. Brazil indicated interest in exporting products such as pork and poultry to Namibia and supporting food security through technical cooperation.
Namibia highlighted the shipping route between the Port of Santos in Brazil and the Port of Walvis Bay as a key link to increase trade and business activity.
The government views the route as connecting both countries and linking SADC to the Mercosur trade bloc.
In 2024, during a visit by a Brazilian delegation, it was revealed that Namibia’s trade links with the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) have remained low, standing at approximately 2% after eight years of preferential trade agreements.
The talks form part of efforts to strengthen economic ties and increase trade and investment.
Economist Lupalezwi Simon said Namibia’s focus on value addition shows a shift in how it manages foreign investment.
“Investors will consider factors such as energy costs, infrastructure and the availability of technical skills before committing to industrial projects,” he said.
He said building local value chains will take time.
“Creating value chains locally requires consistent investment in energy, logistics and skills development over time,” he said.
Namibia has increased its focus on economic diplomacy to attract investment into priority sectors.
Ashipala-Musavyi recently tabled a N$1.37 billion budget for the Ministry of International Relations and Trade for the 2026/27 financial year. Most of the funds will support diplomatic missions aimed at promoting trade and investment.
Simon said outcomes will depend on how well Namibia creates conditions for long-term investment.
“Setting the direction is important, but outcomes will depend on how effectively Namibia can create conditions that support long-term industrial investment,” he said.
