More drought aid on its way to Namibia from China

A ship containing drought relief aid from China is expected to arrive in Namibia in January.

This was revealed by president Nangolo Mbumba when he met with Chinese foreign affairs minister Wang Yi at Swakopmund on Monday.

Namibia and China are looking to strengthen cooperation in areas such as education, green energy, women and youth development and infrastructure, trade and investment facilitation.

For drought assistance, Mbumba said about N$50 million was announced by China president Xi Jinping during the country’s bilateral meeting with Namibia.

“I am informed that a ship with food donations left China in December 2024 and is expected in Namibia by January this year. Furthermore, about 14 industrial boreholes are to be drilled throughout Namibia as part of the drought assistance this year,” he said.

Mbumba said in the area of education and culture, in November 2024, Namibia set up four hostels in the Zambezi and Kavango West regions as donations from China, at a cost of over N$300 million.

“Similarly, the University of Namibia (Unam) in November 2024, signed an agreement with the China University of Geosciences Beijing and the Confucius headquarters in China to establish a Confucius Institute at Unam, to enhance cultural and socioeconomic cooperation between our two countries,” said Mbumba.

In addition, Mbumba also stated his desire to benefit from China’s concept of smart cities, the large potential tourist market and their assistance in improving airport facilities.

Meanwhile, Wang said his visit to Africa before any other continent on his global journey symbolises the importance his nation places on its relationship with African countries.

“Our African brothers and sisters are our trustworthy friends”, he stated. “Though we are geographically far apart, our hearts are closely linked,” he said.

Wang said: “Our shared development and cooperation represents the rise of the global South and the force of emerging countries”.
His visit concludes on Tuesday.