Windhoek: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Botswana during the official visit of Botswana's President, Duma Boko, to State House. Addressing the visiting delegation, Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the shared intention of the two neighboring countries to deepen collaboration in key sectors, including trade, infrastructure development, tourism, and logistics.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized Namibia's role as a regional logistics hub, particularly noting Walvis Bay as a strategic gateway for neighboring countries seeking improved access to global markets. She pointed out that the Walvis Bay Corridor is central to efforts aimed at unlocking regional value chains and enhancing competitiveness. The president also mentioned ongoing efforts to advance the Trans-Kalahari Rail Project, describing it as a strategic undertaking that holds significant promise for regional connectivity and is already under consideration by transport ministers from both countries.
Nandi-Ndaitwah further stressed the importance of safeguarding regional supply chains amid global geopolitical uncertainty, particularly concerning the movement of critical commodities like oil. She noted that Namibia's ports must continue to operate efficiently to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods across the region. "We want to make sure that our ports continue to facilitate the movement of goods," she stated.
The president also announced that Namibia and Botswana had agreed to maintain regular consultations through the Bi-National Commission to assess progress and ensure the implementation of agreed initiatives. She instructed officials and technical teams to accelerate execution while progress would be monitored through regular engagements and the use of technology where necessary.
During the engagement, Botswana's Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Kenewendo, addressed Namibia's Minister of Industries, Mines, and Energy, Modestus Amutse, expressing appreciation for the urgency and responsiveness demonstrated by the Namibian side, especially in the area of fuel cooperation. Kenewendo applauded the swift action taken by Amutse and his team, noting that Namibia had shown strong commitment in addressing outstanding matters linked to the Botswana-Namibia Bi-National Commission.
Kenewendo described the cooperation as a model of good neighborliness, noting that the progress made reflects the importance of stronger regional integration. Given the close alignment of the issues confronting both countries, she emphasized that sustained cooperation and regional integration remain essential and expressed encouragement by the progress reported.