President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has pushed for Namibia and Tanzania to move from political freedom to economic liberation by strengthening industrialisation, value addition and intra-African trade.
Addressing the Namibia-Tanzania Business Forum, President Nandi-Ndaitwah said Africa can no longer continue exporting raw materials while importing finished products, saying the model has slowed industrial development, limited job creation and constrained economic transformation.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that the next phase of Africa's development must focus on manufacturing, innovation, investment and creating opportunities for young people.
The next liberation struggle, she says, is therefore economic liberation, noting that Africa must ensure it benefits more from its own resources.
She highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area as an opportunity to accelerate economic integration but said its success depends on African businesses trading, investing and growing together.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia and Tanzania have complementary strengths that provide a foundation for deeper cooperation, with opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, mining, energy, logistics, tourism, manufacturing and technology.
She also pointed out the importance of trust among African businesses, urging the continent to have confidence in its own products, services and entrepreneurs.
The president said economic cooperation must ultimately be measured by its impact on citizens through job creation, skills transfer, business growth and opportunities for future generations.
Meanwhile, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said trade volumes between Tanzania and Namibia remain below the potential created by the strong relations and opportunities available between the two countries.
She called for increased efforts to strengthen economic cooperation, encouraging Namibian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Tanzania, particularly in transport and logistics, agriculture, minerals and livestock.
The two leaders said stronger economic partnerships between Namibia and Tanzania should translate into increased trade, investment, employment opportunities and shared prosperity.