Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Namibia is looking to strengthen its cooperation with China in infrastructure and digital technology during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE), currently taking place in Beijing and Changsha.
Minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi arrived in China on Sunday to lead Namibia’s delegation in bilateral and multilateral talks.
She was welcomed at Beijing International Airport by Namibia’s ambassador to China, Elia George Kaiyamo, and other senior government officials.
According to the ministry, Ashipala-Musavyi’s focus is on deepening ties in key sectors such as infrastructure and digital technology, which are central to Namibia’s economic plans.
Her meetings in Beijing and Changsha aim to strengthen foreign partnerships that support Namibia’s development goals.
“The minister’s overall engagements will focus on enhancing cooperation in priority sectors, including trade, infrastructure development, agriculture, and digital technology,” the ministry said.
The engagements are expected to support Namibia’s role in Africa-China relations and promote long-term economic growth.
Infrastructure remains vital to Namibia’s Vision 2030 and national development strategies.
Talks with Chinese stakeholders are likely to cover transport systems, logistics hubs, and renewable energy infrastructure.
In the digital field, Namibia aims to boost connectivity, promote digital inclusion, and support innovation in education, healthcare, and public services.
The country will explore options for technical support, digital infrastructure investment, and training through partnerships with Chinese institutions and companies.
On Monday, Ashipala-Musavyi visited Huawei’s Innovation and Research Centre in Beijing.
She met Huawei engineers and strategists, reaffirming Namibia’s interest in using digital technology to support economic development.
Her visit included a tour of the company’s facilities and a discussion on how Huawei could help expand Namibia’s digital infrastructure.
Ashipala-Musavyi and Kaiyamo also took part in a workshop called Sharing Digital Economy Experiences.
The session included Namibian officials, private sector representatives, and Huawei staff.
She is also scheduled to meet China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, who is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Namibia is attending CAETE as a guest country of honour.
The expo, held in Changsha from 12 to 15 June, will showcase Namibia’s investment potential, especially in infrastructure and digital services.
The Namibian delegation includes representatives from both the government and the private sector.
FOCAC was launched in the year 2000 as a platform for China-Africa cooperation.
The 2025 session will mark its 25th anniversary and will review progress made and set new priorities.
