New York – Namibia’s President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah spoke at a fireside chat with Ambassador Jendayi Frazer, Senior Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations, on 22 September 2025 in New York. The discussion focused on Namibia’s development priorities, regional integration, and international partnerships.
Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah described Namibia as a youthful nation, with over 70 percent of its population under 35, and said human capital is central to the country’s development agenda. She outlined steps to strengthen education, digital access, vocational training, and opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
She also noted progress in gender equality, pointing to Namibia’s first female Head of State, female Vice President, and first female Speaker of the National Assembly, along with increased representation of women in government. Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah encouraged young women pursuing political leadership to lead with competence, act with clarity, and challenge traditional conventions.
Economic diversification is a priority for Namibia, with investment targeted at oil and gas, green hydrogen, agriculture, and agro-processing. The country is rich in minerals including lithium, uranium, and rare earths, which it plans to process locally to create jobs, transfer technology, and generate shared value.
Regional integration remains central to Namibia’s strategy. The country actively participates in SADC, SACU, and the African Continental Free Trade Area, recently dispatching its first export under the AfCFTA from the port of Walvis Bay. This move aims to strengthen intra-African trade and enable small states to expand production and access new markets.
Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah also called for stronger international partnerships, particularly with the United States, focusing on energy, critical minerals, digital innovation, and capacity building, while ensuring that cooperation aligns with Namibia’s development priorities.
She stressed the need for global financial reform, advocating for a fairer system that increases access to concessional finance, supports climate and development initiatives, and addresses punitive interest rates and restrictive conditions that limit resilience.
The President concluded by outlining Namibia’s vision for a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient democracy that leverages human capital, natural resources, and strategic partnerships to promote shared prosperity at national, regional, and global levels.
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