Namibia and japan: Namibia and Japan have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and expand economic cooperation following high-level talks held in Tokyo on Wednesday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, met with Japan's Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, to discuss ways to align Japanese investment with Namibia's national priorities under the leadership of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The discussions focused on enhancing economic ties and advancing Namibia's industrialisation agenda.

A statement issued by the ministry on Wednesday said Ashipala-Musavyi highlighted the evolution of relations between the two countries, noting that cooperation has moved beyond traditional development assistance.

She pointed to the presence of about 54 Japanese companies operating in Namibia as evidence of growing confidence in the country's investment climate, describing this as a clear testament to Namibia's stability and attractiveness to global investors.

The minister said these investments play a key role in government efforts to position Namibia as a regional industrial and logistics hub. She stressed the importance of strategic cooperation in sectors regarded as key enablers of development, including mining, energy, fisheries, logistics, and digitalisation, where Japan has considerable expertise.

She also expressed appreciation for Japan's continued support through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, describing it as predictable and of high quality, and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to shared prosperity and sustainable development.

Motegi, on his part, conveyed Japan's interest in further strengthening economic relations with Namibia and referred to Japan's past development cooperation, as well as the interest of Japanese companies in Namibia's mineral and energy resources.

Following the ministerial talks, Ashipala-Musavyi held separate discussions with Japanese business leaders from organisations such as JOGMEC, Maruha Nichiro and Keidanren, some of which already operate in Namibia.

The ministry announced that the engagements focused on encouraging a shift from raw resource extraction toward local value addition, with emphasis on processing and manufacturing within Namibia to support job creation and skills transfer.