President Hage Geingob will host his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, for the Bi-National Commission meeting starting on Thursday.This will be the third session between the neighbouring countries.

A bi-national commission (BNC) is typically a platform in international relations where the meetings of the two states are held at the highest levels, including between the heads of state.

This means that matters are accorded the highest priority with Heads of State to give guidance and implementation direction on the bilateral relations of the two countries.

Namibia and South Africa agreed to establish the BNC eleven years ago, covering diplomatic, economic, social, defence, and security matters.

Former President Jacob Zuma and President Geingob presided over the second BNC meeting in 2016, where they directed the speedy implementation of key projects in sectors of trade and investment, energy, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure development, and water.

Seven years later, Geingob and Zuma's successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, are set to meet in Windhoek after postponing the meeting twice.

The specifics of the discussions of the 3rd BNC will start at the ministerial level before they are passed on to Geingob and Ramaphosa for further consideration.

During Dr. Geingob's state visit to South Africa in April, the two leaders directed that an audit of all legal instruments of cooperation be carried out to be discussed at the BNC.

The comprehensive review would help ascertain critical areas of trade and investment.

Post-COVID-19 pandemic trade figures of the traditional allies show improvements, as Namibia's exports stood at N$16 billion last year, up from the N$13 billion recorded the preceding year.

But the balance of imports still tilts in favour of South Africa, with Namibia forking out N$50 billion on imports in 2022.