Windhoek: Namibia is seeking to expand its export basket and attract new investment partnerships with the Russian Federation as part of efforts to deepen bilateral trade and industrial cooperation. This initiative was highlighted by Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, during the opening of the Namibia-Russia Business Forum in Windhoek. The forum was held alongside the 11th Session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the two nations.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the forum gathers government officials and business leaders from Namibia and Russia to explore collaboration opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, logistics, education, and digital innovation. Ashipala-Musavyi emphasized that while Namibia and Russia share strong political relations, there remains potential for expansion in their economic cooperation. She noted that the historical political relations between the two countries are strategic and unmatched, yet the economic relationship does not mirror this strength.
The minister pointed out that bilateral trade between Namibia and Russia is relatively modest but presents significant growth opportunities through investment, technology transfer, and value addition. In 2024, Namibia exported fisheries products valued at about US dollars 3.7 million to Russia, while horticultural products, including grapes and dates, were valued at approximately US dollars 1.5 million. Imports from Russia mainly consisted of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and wheat. In the same year, Namibia imported goods worth approximately US dollars 40 million from Russia, while exporting around US dollars 13 million.
Ashipala-Musavyi asserted that the business forum provides a crucial platform for translating the political goodwill between Namibia and Russia into tangible economic outcomes. She added that the targeted business-to-business and business-to-government engagements during the forum are expected to stimulate investment opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. The minister expressed confidence that the engagements would further reinforce the economic partnership between Namibia and the Russian Federation.
The forum is part of the broader Namibia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission meetings taking place in Windhoek from 13 to 16 March 2026, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and other strategic sectors.