MIDRAND – President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africa and Namibia to strengthen their longstanding political relationship by accelerating economic cooperation through greater investment, industrialisation and regional integration.
Addressing delegates at the 4th South Africa-Namibia Bi-National Commission Business Forum at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Friday, Ramaphosa said the next phase of the two countries’ partnership must focus on creating jobs, attracting investment and driving inclusive economic growth.
“The generation that came before us secured political freedom. Our responsibility is to secure economic freedom,” Ramaphosa said.
He told business leaders and government officials that economic freedom goes beyond increasing trade volumes. It requires creating an environment where entrepreneurs can start businesses, investors have the confidence to fund new industries, and young people have access to sustainable employment opportunities.
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Although trade between the two countries has grown steadily in recent years, Ramaphosa said the relationship remains uneven.
South Africa continues to export a broad range of manufactured goods and services to Namibia, while Namibia’s exports are largely concentrated in minerals, particularly gold.
Ramaphosa said diversifying trade would strengthen both economies, improve resilience and support the development of higher-value industries capable of creating long-term jobs.
He urged both governments to remove unnecessary barriers to trade and investment, improve market access and make it easier for businesses to expand across borders.
Ramaphosa also encouraged the two countries to build on their complementary strengths rather than compete with one another.
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“We owe it to our people to build economies that create opportunity rather than exclusion. We owe it to our young people to create jobs that restore hope and dignity, and we owe it to future generations to build a Southern African region that is more integrated, more competitive and more prosperous,” he said.
He pointed to Namibia’s vast renewable energy potential and South Africa’s established industrial base, financial sector, manufacturing expertise and logistics infrastructure as assets that could underpin regional value chains and position Southern Africa as an attractive destination for investment.
Ramaphosa said deeper cooperation through the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Southern African Customs Union would expand market access, attract new investment and accelerate industrial development across the region.
He added that governments have a critical role to play by providing policy certainty, strengthening institutions, investing in infrastructure and creating an enabling environment that allows businesses to grow and create jobs.
