China and Africa are looking to deepen trade, investment and industrial cooperation as the two sides mark 70 years of China-Africa relations, with the zero-tariff policy expected to create further opportunities for African exporters.
The opportunities were discussed at the China-Africa Cooperation Symposium, hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the Chinese Embassy in Namibia.
The symposium in the capital was held under the theme "China-Africa Partnership at 70: Deepening Collaboration and Exchanges".
Chairperson of the Economic Association of Namibia, Jason Kasuto, said the relationship between Africa and China was built on solidarity, recalling China's support for Namibia's liberation struggle before independence.
He said the relationship has since evolved into trade and investment, noting that mining remains one of the most significant areas of economic engagement between Namibia and China.
"The zero tariff treatment for the African countries with which China holds diplomatic relations, which in principle really opens a larger consumer market in the world to Southern African goods, and the China-Africa economic partnership for shared development, which gives that opening a framework for cooperation in trade, industrialisation, technology and skills."
Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping said economic cooperation has become increasingly important to the social and economic development of both China and Africa.
"The Chinese side sincerely invites our African friends from various circles of society, especially the business community, to provide their support for these initiatives, which will reshape the landscape of China-Africa economic cooperation and deliver greater benefits to the peoples of China and Africa."
Meanwhile, Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, represented by Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) Acting Chief Executive Officer Julia Muetudhana, said the zero-tariff arrangement presents new opportunities for Namibia to expand exports and diversify its economic activities.
However, she cautioned that tariff-free access alone would not guarantee success in the Chinese market.
She stressed that Namibian exporters must also overcome non-tariff barriers by meeting rules-of-origin requirements, maintaining product quality, improving packaging and ensuring consistent supply and timely delivery.
"Namibia remains committed to sound governance, transparent institutions and mutually beneficial partnerships. I trust these deliberations will yield actionable strategies to transform trade frameworks into practical economic growth."
The symposium highlighted the importance of translating the longstanding diplomatic relationship into practical economic opportunities, with participants from China, Namibia and the wider SADC region examining ways to strengthen trade, investment and shared development.