During the Inaugural Angola–Namibia Bi-National Commission, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the Namibia–Angola Business Forum, saying that the two countries share a relationship founded on common history, solidarity and a shared determination to advance their prosperity. The President said the two countries had a responsibility to continue the tradition of their founding leaders by deepening economic cooperation, expanding sustainable trade and investment, and building productive partnerships that create employment and improve the livelihoods of their citizens. She noted that the Forum’s theme, “Boosting Regional Industrialisation, Investment and Sustainable Growth through Strategic Angola–Namibia Partnerships,” reflected the economic transformation both countries seek to achieve. She called on participants to move beyond exchanging ideas and commit to practical, commercially viable initiatives that deliver measurable results. President Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Forum’s task was to transform the longstanding political relations between Namibia and Angola into a strategic and dynamic economic partnership. Through the SADC Trade Protocol and the African Continental Free Trade Area, collaboration could create shared value, expand productive capacity and position the two countries as contributors to regional and continental development. She emphasised that Namibia and Angola must diversify their economies, strengthen domestic productive capacity and reduce excessive dependence on exporting unprocessed commodities. As strategic neighbours, she said, they should work together to make their natural resources a foundation for industrialisation, innovation and sustainable prosperity. The President said the Forum should identify the countries’ strengths and align their complementary capabilities through shared commercial ventures, integrated regional value chains, technical exchanges and stronger private-sector engagement. She urged participants to move from simply trading products to jointly producing goods and services, developing industries and accessing larger markets together. She called for the Forum to become a platform for lasting commercial relationships, noting that its success would be measured by concrete results that visibly improve citizens’ livelihoods, rather than by the number of delegates, addresses or interactions. President Nandi-Ndaitwah directed participants to ensure that their deliberations produced a clear and achievable programme of action. This should include identifying priority sectors and bankable investment projects for joint ventures between Namibian and Angolan enterprises. She called on relevant ministries, Investment Promotion Agencies and Chambers of Commerce to strengthen the sharing of investment opportunities, facilitate business contacts and monitor proposed projects. She also urged them to develop practical ways to address barriers to bilateral trade, including border procedures, logistics, standards and access to market information. Please find full speech on Nampresidency Facebook page