Namibia-Germany ties get a green reset

Namibia and Germany are refocusing their 36-year development partnership on climate resilience, water security, biodiversity, green energy and skills development.

The two governments agreed to concentrate their cooperation on two main areas following a strategic dialogue in Opuwo last week.

The first is advancing climate-resilient water security, biodiversity and livelihoods, while the second is harnessing Namibia’s potential for a just green energy and skills transformation.

Germany has been one of Namibia’s main development partners since independence in 1990, with the two countries describing the relationship as entering a new phase.

The governments said the new focus would support Namibia’s green industrialisation ambitions, while expanding trade and investment opportunities, creating jobs and protecting livelihoods and the environment.

The partnership will continue to support climate-resilient access to safe water and the sustainable management and conservation of Namibia’s biodiversity.

Mitigating the effects of El Niño

The two sides also agreed to explore ways of supporting Namibia’s preparedness to mitigate the effects of El Niño within the existing cooperation framework.

Green energy will form another key part of the partnership, with Germany and Namibia seeking to harness the country’s renewable energy potential to support economic and ecological transformation.

The governments also agreed to strengthen labour-market-oriented technical and vocational education and training, particularly to help young people access employment opportunities in Namibia’s emerging green economy.

The two countries said their cooperation would contribute to Namibia’s sixth National Development Plan, particularly its priorities on economic growth and resilience, human development and environmental sustainability.