PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar)
Abstract
With the Inter-Africa Trade Fair (IATF) taking place in Algiers this September under the theme “a gateway to new opportunities” underpinned by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), this article follows in the footsteps of the article on 30 August 2025 that appeared in this newspaper under the title “Diplomacy or Trade: Where is the centre of gravity? In that article, it is said that today’s ambassadors are called upon to transcend traditional confines and embrace their paramount role as Namibia’s chief economic architects and frontline salespeople in foreign capitals, tirelessly championing the economic interests of our nation and the entire African continent.
To live up to its mandate, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade should be truly committed to economic upliftment and trade expansion and the evaluation of our returning diplomats must extend beyond bilateral agreements. Their performance must be rigorously assessed on their demonstrable success in facilitating transformative investment, boldly opening new markets for Namibian products, and assiduously creating tangible opportunities for Namibian businesses.
The article further said our returning ambassadors are invaluable “market intelligence officers” as they possess firsthand knowledge. Their experiences are a treasure trove of strategic insights, waiting to be fully harnessed for national gain. If the ministry is to become a pre-eminent centre of excellence in economic diplomacy, the debriefing of these envoys must be transformed into a rigorous, strategic handover and a vital process of knowledge transfer and accountability; otherwise, the welcoming ceremonies for our diplomats will remain hollow rituals, devoid of the substantive impact our continent so desperately needs.
Introduction
Indeed, a study written by Dr Francess Virginia Anderson, Ambasatress of the Embassy of Sierra Leone, titled The Intersection of Economic Diplomacy and Regional Integration: Contributions of Diplomatic Economic Desks to Africa’s Free Trade Area, looking at the supportive role that diplomatic economic desks contribute to Africa’s Free Trade Area, explores the relationship between economic diplomacy and regional integration. In addition, the study explores how diplomatic missions support businesses, foster economic prospects, and promote trade agreements within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. The findings of the study show that by offering market knowledge, promoting cross-border collaborations, and negotiating convoluted regulatory structures, diplomatic economic desks are essential to the advancement of regional integration in Africa.
Dr Anderson posits that as a crucial aspect of international relations, economic diplomacy involves the strategic use of diplomatic means to advance a country’s economic objectives and foster mutually beneficial business alliances with partner nations. This is particularly pertinent to Africa, where regional integration initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aim to create a single market that enhances trade among African countries, stimulates economic growth, and positions the continent favourably in international trade. Dr Francess Virginia Anderson is of the view that the potential of the AfCFTA to eliminate trade barriers and tariffs while standardising trade laws for member states underscores its significance. This would facilitate the free movement of goods and services among member nations, attract foreign investment, and promote sustainable development across Africa’s varied economic landscapes.
In this regard, the importance of economic diplomatic desks in embassies and consulates is emphasised by their role in brokering trade agreements, advocating for trade dispute resolutions, and developing coordinated economic strategies that align with the broader goals of regional integration, illustrating the relevance of economic diplomacy as a tool for enhancing trade. Moreover, considering Africa’s historical context of regional integration, characterised by various trade groups and economic communities, highlights the dynamic nature of economic diplomacy.
Consequently, to reconcile competing national interests and achieve harmonised economic integration, nations often employ intricate diplomatic strategies to address trade challenges, including political instability, infrastructure shortcomings, and varying economic capabilities. Therefore, it is imperative to thoroughly evaluate the role of economic diplomatic desks in supporting embassies and consulates in fulfilling the AfCFTA objectives to promote free trade within the African subregion. Additionally, it is essential to assess their influence on the continent’s economic trajectory in achieving sustainable development goals for member countries while considering the interaction between economic diplomacy and regional integration.
Economic diplomacy and its relevance to achieving AfCFTA objectives
As the world economies become more interconnected, economic factors become increasingly influential in international relations. This phenomenon has altered the concept and practices of economic diplomacy in the past few decades. The use of diplomatic instruments and funds to further a nation’s economic interests abroad is the fundamental definition of economic diplomacy, which includes everything from trade talks and investment development to economic intelligence collection and policy coordination. In Africa, for example, where economic relevance typically translates into geopolitical influence, this comprehensive approach to diplomacy acknowledges the unbreakable link between political and economic power.
Economic diplomacy today embodies a change from the previously conventional diplomacy, which prioritises political and security concerns, to a more comprehensive strategy that acknowledges the importance of economic interests in the creation and implementation of foreign policy. This very dynamic is what AfCFTA stands to correct through its operational initiatives. This development is a reflection of the shifting dynamics of power in international relations, where trade impact on the global economy assumes as much impact on world events as is equivalent to military force.
Hence, the AfCFTA mandate asserts that by promoting collaboration and coordination between states and non-state actors in Africa, economic diplomacy would then serve as a crucial tool in tackling transnational trade challenges that cut beyond national boundaries, including solving financial crises, climate change, and sustainable development that besiege the African continent. As nations look to capitalise on their combined economic potential through AfCFTA initiatives, economic diplomacy then assumes a greater significance in the African context. This underscores the need for complex diplomatic approaches that can strike a balance between national interests and regional integration objectives.
Redefining diplomacy: from political ornaments to real bread baskets
Indeed, in the 21st century, African diplomacy must transcend ceremonial pleasantries and become a potent engine for economic liberation and shared prosperity. Our ambassadors must be the vanguard of our economic interests, fiercely advocating for the prosperity of our peoples in every global capital. The enduring fraternal bonds between Angola and Namibia offer an unparalleled opportunity to transmute goodwill into tangible economic dividends for our nations and the broader African family. By strategically prioritising practical initiatives in critical areas such as integrated border management, innovative trade settlement mechanisms, collaborative energy and water resource development, and seamless logistics integration, both sovereign nations can unlock unprecedented avenues of shared growth.
For Namibia, this is an immediate, strategic, and moral imperative, positioning our nation as a proactive leader in a mutually beneficial economic agenda that resonates with the spirit of Pan-Africanism. The ultimate objective is to meticulously craft a model of diplomacy that delivers concrete, measurable prosperity, moving decisively beyond symbolic gestures to impactful, citizen-centric development. This endeavour will serve as the ultimate litmus test for the new administration’s unwavering commitment to the economic revival and self-determination of our continent.
The contemporary international environment, characterised by shifting geopolitical landscapes, persistent tariff frictions, and rising protectionist sentiments, necessitates an urgent re-evaluation of diplomatic engagement. The efficacy of our diplomacy can no longer be solely gauged by adherence to ceremonial protocols or the exchange of pleasantries. The clarion call of our time is to engineer a profound transition from a diplomacy steeped in symbolic gestures to one that actively and demonstrably contributes to the economic upliftment and collective betterment of our populations.
A pan-African mandate for tangible deliverables in commercial diplomacy
This vision for 21st-century diplomacy demands that our embassies and foreign missions become proactive engines of economic growth, facilitating robust trade, attracting transformative investment, and fostering sustainable job creation across our continent. Missions that fail to generate demonstrable and quantifiable economic benefits risk becoming mere ornamental relics, rather than essential instruments of national interest and African advancement. The symbiotic relationship between diplomacy and trade should be viewed not as competitive but as profoundly synergistic. While diplomatic protocol may provide the initial access, it is sustained and strategic commercial engagement that ensures enduring partnerships and mutual upliftment.
Metrics of diplomatic success (real bread baskets)
The true metrics of diplomatic success are found in the quantifiable improvements in the daily lives of our citizens, including: border efficiency: Streamlined, transparent, and cost-effective border clearance processes that facilitate the seamless flow of goods, services, and people, fostering regional integration and trade; SME competitiveness: Enhanced capacity for our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage in competitive export activities, empowering them as key drivers of economic diversification and wealth creation; market access: Securing reliable and expanded market access for our agricultural producers and nascent industries, ensuring that the fruits of our labour reach global markets and contribute to food security across Africa; energy access: Successful implementation of new, sustainable energy projects that extend affordable and reliable electricity to underserved regions, illuminating homes, powering industries, and fostering human development; sustainable employment: Deliberate creation of durable and dignified employment opportunities through cross-border ventures and strategic partnerships, empowering our youth to contribute meaningfully to the continent’s progress.
These are the concrete “bread baskets” that truly define the value proposition of modern African diplomacy. They are the tangible indicators by which our diplomatic service should be rigorously judged, representing the very essence of our commitment to a prosperous and self-reliant Africa.
Forging a warm and fraternal relationship between Angola and Namibia through practical outcomes
The historically warm and fraternal relationship between Angola and Namibia provides an exceptional platform for advancing practical cooperation that serves as a beacon for African advancement. The immediate challenge is to translate this profound goodwill into tangible, measurable outcomes that resonate with the aspirations of our peoples and contribute to the broader Pan-African agenda. Key areas for collaborative action include:
Joint strategic priorities
1. Border post transformation: Immediate and comprehensive upgrade of the Oshikango–Santa Clara crossing into a fully functional, integrated one-stop border post. This transformation, supported by advanced digital systems and harmonised operational hours, will ensure seamless transit and efficient cross-border movement, unlocking the full economic flow between our nations; 2. Local currency trade settlement pilot: Pioneering a pilot programme for local-currency trade settlement between our respective financial institutions. This pragmatic step will mitigate the debilitating impact of foreign exchange shortages and significantly enhance the resilience and sovereignty of bilateral trade, moving towards economic self-reliance; 3. Joint energy and water resource management: Resolute pursuit of collaborative projects such as the Baynes Hydropower Plant and the integrated management of the Cunene River. These monumental undertakings offer significant opportunities to bolster regional energy security and water resource management, which are foundational to sustainable development across our continent; 4. Logistics infrastructure integration: Strategic development of the Trans-Cunene Corridor, a vital artery linking the deep-water port of Walvis Bay to Angola’s vast interior. This corridor is envisioned as a primary conduit for bilateral trade, meticulously designed to reduce logistical costs, enhance efficiency, and foster new industrial development opportunities.
Strategic sectors for shared growth between Angola and Namibia
Collaboration between Angola and Namibia can be strategically advanced across several vital sectors, fostering mutual economic growth and development, such as: agriculture as Namibia’s technical expertise in modern agricultural practices, can significantly complement Angola’s extensive arable land and critical imperative for food security, presenting fertile ground for joint ventures to enhance regional food production and sovereignty; energy to partner in sustainable energy initiatives, particularly hydropower and solar, which hold immense potential to expand access to affordable and reliable electricity, illuminating homes, driving industries, and powering our collective future; fisheries as joint ventures in advanced cold-chain logistics and state-of-the-art processing facilities, especially within Angola’s resource-rich Namibe and Benguela provinces, can significantly enhance value addition within the fisheries sector; mining services: Namibian suppliers, with their proven expertise and strategic proximity, are exceptionally positioned to provide essential services and support for Angola’s expanding mining operations, leveraging our deep understanding of the mining landscape; health and education: Collaborative efforts in vocational training accreditation, cutting-edge biomedical research, and the strategic development of robust pharmaceutical supply chains can collectively improve regional resilience and significantly enhance human capital development; Tourism: The majestic Iona–Skeleton Coast transfrontier park represents a unique and shared opportunity for promoting eco-tourism and conservation-led development, attracting international visitors and fostering sustainable economic activities.
Namibia’s distinct opportunities: catalysing pan-African economic leadership
For Namibia, the current geopolitical and economic landscape presents immediate and strategic opportunities to assert its role as a catalyst for Pan-African economic leadership. The robust and growing demand within the Angolan market creates specific and lucrative niches where Namibian firms can assume a catalytic and leading role in areas such as: accredited testing and certification services: Namibia is uniquely positioned to provide essential, internationally accredited quality assurance and compliance services for Angolan imports and exports, ensuring goods meet the highest standards and facilitating trade; supply of refurbished and certified used equipment: Meeting Angola’s burgeoning industrial and developmental needs with cost-effective, reliable, and certified used equipment solutions, tapping into Namibia’s industrial capacity for pragmatic, sustainable solutions; water and waste-to-value solutions: Namibia’s pioneering expertise in innovative approaches to resource management positions it as a vital partner in addressing critical environmental and infrastructure challenges across Angola and the broader region; bilingual professional and technical services: Namibia’s highly skilled and bilingual workforce is uniquely equipped to deliver specialised expertise and support, meticulously tailored to the linguistic and technical requirements of the Angolan market, fostering deeper collaboration. These opportunities represent practical, immediately implementable avenues that can significantly expand Namibia’s export base and simultaneously strengthen the framework of bilateral cooperation.
Conclusion
The efficacy of diplomatic economic desks depends on the presence of proficient and competent professionals with sector-specific expertise in investment advocacy and competence in global trade law.Engaging in capacity building and career growth is essential to closing the skills gap and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of these desks.Governments need to institute periodic development and training initiatives in partnership with international organisations and academia. Scholarships, exchange programmes, and specialised training courses should be organised for diplomats and economic officers to enhance their proficiency in critical aspects of economic diplomacy.Moreover, establishing incentive frameworks, including competitive remuneration and possibilities for career progression, can draw and keep competent personnel at the diplomatic economic desk.
Most importantly, securing political stability and matching national priorities with the regional aims of AfCFTA is crucial for enduring economic diplomacy initiatives, and finally, to improve their efficacy, it is crucial to restructure diplomatic missions to provide more adaptable, versatile, decentralised, and specialised operations.Explicitly defining the duties and authority of economic offices may avoid redundancies and guarantee cohesive and synergistic economic diplomacy initiatives.
In sum, African governments could substantially enhance their diplomatic economic desks by resolving resource limitations, revising institutional frameworks, boosting technology competencies, promoting political stability, and pursuing capacity development.This would improve their capacity to further the AfCFTA’s goals of regional integration, economic unification, and sustainable development, eventually establishing Africa as a significant participant in the global marketplace. Our Ministry of International Relations and Trade should be truly committed to economic upliftment and trade expansion, while the evaluation of our returning diplomats must extend beyond bilateral agreements to include, among others, their demonstrable success in facilitating transformative investment, boldly opening new markets for Namibian products, and assiduously creating tangible opportunities for Namibian businesses.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of our employers and this newspaper but solely our personal views as citizens and pan-Africanists.
