Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA exported goods worth USD 13 million to Russia in 2024, while importing goods valued at USD 39.5 million from Russia during the same period.
This skewed trade relationship between Namibia and Russia was recently highlighted by the Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, during the Namibia–Russia Business Forum in Windhoek. She explained that the forum, which took place on the sidelines of the 11th Meeting of the Namibia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, aims to provide a platform for engagement between the two governments, private sectors, financial institutions, and research communities.
“Namibia’s exports to Russia in 2024 primarily consisted of fisheries products valued at USD 3.68 million, along with selected horticultural goods, such as grapes and dates, valued at USD 1.462 million. Imports from Russia largely comprised strategic agricultural inputs, including fertilisers and cereals—primarily wheat and meslin—amounting to approximately USD 13.853 million, which support domestic agricultural production. In 2024, bilateral trade reflected this complementary pattern, with Namibia importing approximately USD 39.5 million worth of goods from Russia while exporting around USD 13 million,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
She noted that the imbalanced trade relationship presents opportunities to deepen cooperation, particularly by expanding Namibia’s export basket, enhancing value addition in key sectors, and promoting investment partnerships that can contribute to sustainable economic growth and mutual prosperity for both countries.
“Today’s Business Forum represents an important milestone in the evolution of Namibia–Russia relations. For decades, our two nations have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations founded on solidarity, mutual respect, and shared aspirations for development. As the Minister of International Relations and Trade, I can state with full certainty that the historical political relations between Namibia and the Russian Federation are strategic and unmatched. However, the same cannot be said of our economic and trade relations. Our task today, therefore, is to build upon that foundation and translate political goodwill into practical economic partnerships, investments, and industrial cooperation,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
She added that the forum is intended to showcase investment opportunities and comparative advantages in several priority sectors, including agriculture and agro-processing, mining and mineral beneficiation, manufacturing and logistics, as well as education, ICT, and innovation.
In agriculture and agro-processing, she said opportunities exist for collaboration in fertiliser supply, agricultural technologies, storage infrastructure, green schemes, feedlot development, and food processing industries that can strengthen food security.
Regarding mining and mineral beneficiation, she said Namibia is seeking partnerships that support the application of advanced mining technologies and the development of downstream processing industries that add value to the country’s mineral resources.
In manufacturing and logistics, Ashipala-Musavyi noted that there are strong prospects for cooperation aimed at strengthening transport systems, expanding logistics infrastructure, and enhancing Namibia’s role as a regional trade corridor linking Southern Africa to global markets.
On education, ICT, and innovation, the minister said there is considerable potential for collaboration in digital technologies, research partnerships, e-government solutions, and skills development to help Namibia build a knowledge-based economy.
“The programme of this Forum reflects the depth and diversity of opportunities for cooperation between our two countries. It provides Namibian businesses with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with their Russian counterparts, develop strategic partnerships, and explore ventures that can open new markets for Namibian products and services. This is particularly due to industrial and technological advancements from which Namibia can benefit to transform its own enterprise capacity,” the minister added.
Photo: NBC Digital News
