Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africa and Namibia to seize a historic opportunity to transform their abundant natural resources into engines of industrialisation, job creation, and regional prosperity. Opening the Fourth Session of the South Africa-Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Pretoria, President Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of shifting focus from merely extracting resources to building regional value chains that produce finished products. According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa stressed that Africa's future should not be defined by the outdated model of exporting raw materials and importing manufactured goods. He highlighted the necessity of creating industries within the continent to combat unemployment and foster economic growth. The President co-chaired the Fourth Session of the BNC with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, following preparatory meetings conducted earlier in July. Established in 2013, the South Africa-Namibi a Bi-National Commission serves as the highest formal mechanism for cooperation between the two countries. It focuses on coordinating bilateral relations, reviewing progress, and exploring new opportunities in political, economic, social, defense, and security sectors. To date, the Commission has facilitated 75 agreements and memoranda of understanding, covering a wide range of cooperative efforts. President Ramaphosa described Namibia as 'our sister nation,' underscoring the shared struggle against colonialism and apartheid that has forged a strong bond between the two countries. He conveyed that the Commission represents a collective determination to build a partnership that advances prosperity and contributes to regional development and stability. Implementation of agreements was a major focus of the discussions, with President Ramaphosa emphasizing that the true measure of success would be the effectiveness of implementation rather than the number of agreements signed. The address highlighted strategic sectors like the Orange Basin, significant for offshore oil and gas discoveries, as key areas for establishing an integrated regional energy economy. The President also congratulated Namibia on its offshore discoveries and suggested that the shared geology and geographical proximity create opportunities for collaboration in exploration, infrastructure development, and investment promotion. Additionally, he highlighted the potential of green hydrogen and mining cooperation as areas for further expansion. Water security and trade and investment were other significant points of discussion. President Ramaphosa called for renewed focus on shared water resources and encouraged both countries to identify bankable projects in various sectors to enhance their economic ties. The Fourth Session also featured the South Africa-Namibia Business Forum, aimed at driving regional industrialization and sustainable growth. Bilateral trade and investment relations have been growing, with significant investments from South Afr ican companies in Namibia, contributing to job creation and economic development. The Commission aims to strengthen these relations further, focusing on sectors like energy, infrastructure, and industrialization. Regional peace and security were also addressed, with a reaffirmation of commitment to African-led solutions to continental challenges. President Ramaphosa underscored the importance of peace and security as prerequisites for sustainable development. He also touched on migration and multilateralism, advocating for sustained dialogue and stronger cooperation. Concluding the session, President Ramaphosa urged both nations to build on their legacy of solidarity and to create a partnership that delivers opportunity and prosperity to future generations. The Fourth Session of the Bi-National Commission was then officially declared open.
