Nairobi: Vice President Lucia Witbooi has called on French businesses to invest in Namibia, describing the country as a peaceful and fast-growing investment destination with strong democratic governance and expanding economic opportunities. She made the call on Monday during a meeting with French businesses and the Mouvement des Entreprises de France delegation on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.According to Namibia Press Agency, the two-day summit, being held under the theme 'Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth', has brought together African leaders, French government representatives, private sector executives, and development partners to strengthen cooperation on trade, investment, and sustainable development. In a statement shared with Nampa, Witbooi emphasized that Namibia and France enjoy longstanding bilateral relations and should deepen economic cooperation through increased trade and investment."Namibia and France maintain a longstanding relationship a nd excellent bilateral relations," she said, adding that the engagement provided an opportunity for French and Namibian businesses to strengthen investment cooperation. The Vice President also highlighted agriculture, youth empowerment, sports, creative industries, education, health, land, housing, and sanitation as priority sectors for investment in Namibia.According to Witbooi, Namibia remains one of the leading investment prospects in sub-Saharan Africa due to its political stability, good governance, and adherence to democratic values. She noted that the southern African country has made progress in diversifying its economy beyond mining and agriculture, with emerging opportunities in oil and gas, tourism, manufacturing, digital services, and technology. Witbooi further encouraged investors to partner with Namibian businesses in value addition to mineral resources and other sectors of mutual interest.