By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has indicated that wealth creation and sustainable economic growth cannot come from resource extraction but rather from industrialisation and innovation.
The Chamber’s CEO, Titus Nampala, stated this during the Namibia-China Fair for Investment & Trade, which was held last week in Windhoek.
He highlighted that Namibia and China are at different stages of industrial and economic progress, “yet it is precisely in these differences that opportunities lie.”
He, however, noted that no country in the world has ever created a sustainable and inclusive economy solely on natural resource extraction.
“The most advanced economies have built sustainable wealth through industrialisation, innovation, trade, and strong institutions that complement natural resource extraction.”
Nampala implored that Namibia must continue to explore mutually beneficial economic opportunities for its people and partners.
He has also acknowledged that “economic building is, in many ways, an art, and like any masterpiece, it requires many artists, each bringing unique tools, perspectives, and creativity.”
On the China relationship, he said Namibia stands to gain from China’s experience, technological and industrial advancement, while China stands to reap value in the form of access to a diverse body of natural resources, including rare earth minerals, dividends, and expanded markets from its investments in Namibia.
Beyond mineral resources, Nampala indicated that Namibia offers great opportunities in tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and green technology, amongst others.
“Despite being at different stages of the industrialisation and poverty elimination journey as nations, these complementary dynamics form an excellent foundation for partnership if we act with intentionality and start with the end in mind,” the Chamber head stated.
Through the Walvis Bay port, Namibia also offers a gateway to SADC and other parts of the continent.
Speaking at the same event, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Namibia Zhao Weiping, stated that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, the China-Namibia economic and trade cooperation has become a vivid practice of “all-weather friendship.”
Chinese enterprises, bringing technology and experience, have been deeply engaged in Namibia’s energy, mining, and infrastructure sectors—from uranium mining to the implementation of renewable energy projects, from efficient resource utilisation to the construction of roads, ports, and other public infrastructure.
He said their investment has created tens of thousands of local jobs and has improved local development conditions.
At the same time, he acknowledged Namibia’s rich natural resources and a continuously improving business environment provide broad opportunities for Chinese enterprises.
This mutually beneficial relationship, in which “Our interests and growth are closely intertwined,” is the essence of China-Namibia relations, Weiping stated.
The ambassador has also noted that the vitality of economic and trade cooperation lies with enterprises, and the driving force comes from the market.
He said his office actively facilitates communication and coordination between the two governments to help enterprises address practical issues in compliance and project implementation.
“We support Chinese enterprises in practicing the principle of consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, encouraging them to develop locally while contributing to communities through philanthropy, skills training, and other initiatives,” he explained.
Weiping further encourages Chinese and Namibian enterprises to strengthen dialogue and precise matchmaking via face-to-face exchanges.
He said such exchanges are the most effective way to remove barriers and generate business opportunities, which is precisely the core value of this forum.
The ambassador also acknowledged that both China and Namibia are currently at crucial stages of development.
Adding that Namibia is committed to economic diversification and infrastructure upgrading, while China is pursuing high-quality development and high-level openness.
“Against this backdrop, the scope for cooperation is even broader—from technological collaboration in the energy sector, industrial chain extension in mining, and experience sharing in infrastructure, to innovative exploration in trade and services by small and medium-sized enterprises, all of which hold tremendous potential,” said Weiping.
