European External Action Service

04/24/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2026 04:31

2nd Namibia-EU Business Forum 2026: Strengthening Green Economies & Trade

The 2nd Namibia-EU Business Forum is set to take place from 11-13 May 2026 in Windhoek, under the theme, "Towards stronger, greener and more diversified economies: Catalyzing Business and Trade Opportunities between the EU and Namibia", convening over 300 participants, including representatives from the European Union and Namibian private sectors, policymakers, innovators, and financing institutions. It will serve as a platform to deepen economic cooperation, unlock investment opportunities, and advance sustainable development between Namibia and the European Union.

The EU is one of the biggest trading partners of Namibia, with a highly diversified set of goods being traded and a positive trade balance for Namibia, creating jobs and opportunities for both our citizens. The High-Level Forum builds on the success of the inaugural EU-Namibia Business Forum, which was hosted in 2023 in Belgium, marking an important milestone in strengthening economic cooperation between Namibia and the European Union.

The 2nd Namibia-EU Business Forum is co-hosted by the Namibian Government and the European Union Delegation to Namibia, with support from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), EU Member States and key stakeholders.

The Forum will feature high-level policy dialogues, sector presentations, and expert round-table discussions. It will also include Business to Business and Business to Government meetings; exhibitions showcasing key sectors; and site visits to strategic industries such as green hydrogen, Critical Raw Materials, and port infrastructure.

The 2nd Namibia-EU Business Forum will place a strong emphasis on green industrialization, focusing on sustainable Critical Raw Materials value chains, green hydrogen and renewable energies, agribusiness, automotive industry, and the cultural and creative industries, which are key sectors for promoting local value addition, innovation, and investment.

At the press conference announcing the forum, Mr. Asser Nashikaku, the Acting Executive Director in the Ministry of International Relations and Trade noted that: "This Business Forum will strengthen our longstanding strategic partnership with the European Union, provide a platform to unlock Namibia's untapped export potential, enhance market access and attract investment into high-impact sectors."

On her part, EU Ambassador Ana Beatriz Martins said that Namibia can count on the European Union to support the Land of the Brave in fostering Economic Growth, Inclusiveness and Resilience for Sustainable Development, as outlined in the Sixth National Development Plan. "As the European Union is one of Namibia's main investors and trading partners, our bilateral political willingness combined with European investments will continue to positively contribute to diversifying the Namibian economy, natural resource beneficiation and youth empowerment," she proudly
explained.

The Forum aims to strengthen the EU-Namibia strategic partnership, shape a more conducive business environment, and unlock trade opportunities under the Economic Partnership Agreement.

The Namibia-EU Business Forum 2026 is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral trade relations, advancing green growth, and positioning Namibia as a hub for sustainable investment in Africa.

European External Action Service published this content on April 24, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 24, 2026 at 10:31 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]