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High-level visit strengthens Namibia, Brazil bilateral ties
By Maggie Forcelledo Paz
Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, undertook an official visit to Namibia, his second visit to the country and the first in his current capacity. Vieira highlighted that relations between Namibia and Brazil date back to before Namibia’s independence, recalling Brazil’s early support for the country’s liberation struggle. “As early as 1987, President José Sarney had the honour of receiving the historical leader Sam Nujoma who, at the time, served as head of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO). That moment symbolised Brazil’s solidarity and reinforced our commitment to the selfdetermination and freedom of Namibia,” he noted.
Vieira held talks with Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, describing the engagement as an important step in strengthening long-standing ties between the two countries. A key pillar of cooperation between the two countries remains their naval collaboration, which was established in 1994 and continues to play a critical role in strengthening Namibia’s maritime capabilities.
“This partnership has not only contributed to strengthening Namibia’s maritime capabilities but has also enhanced our capacity to safeguard our territorial waters and marine resources,” said Ashipala-Musavyi. The minister noted that Namibia and Brazil have significant untapped potential in trade and investment, despite existing cooperation between the two countries. She highlighted the presence of a direct maritime shipping route between the port of Santos in Brazil and the port of Walvis Bay in Namibia, describing it as a strategic link that could boost trade flows, reduce logistical barriers and strengthen commercial ties.
Ashipala-Musavyi added that Namibia intends to leverage this opportunity by working closely with Brazilian counterparts to increase trade volumes, supported by greater investment and business exchanges between the two nations, as well as within the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Mercosur regions.
Energy cooperation
Namibia’s recent oil discoveries were cited as presenting significant opportunities for both countries, including potential investments that could support industrialisation and value addition.
Vieira confirmed that Brazilian energy company Petrobras has resumed interest in Namibia, with ongoing negotiations expected to contribute to economic growth, job creation and social development. “The wealth generated by the oil industry creates opportunities for our countries,” he said.
Ashipala-Musavyi further noted that Namibia offers a stable business environment, strategic access to regional and international markets as well as an abundance of natural resources that remain underutilised in terms of value addition.
According to the African Energy Chamber, Brazil’s decades-long mastery of ultra-deepwater oil and gas is now a strategic asset for African producers and investors. It notes that as the energy landscape evolves, strategic cooperation between Brazil and African nations could unlock a new era of Atlantic basin development, moving beyond traditional North-South investment patterns.
Sector growth
In the agricultural sector, Brazil expressed interest in advancing technical discussions to enable exports of pork and poultry products to Namibia, which could contribute to strengthening food security.
Minister Ashipala-Musavyi highlighted the growing collaboration in this sector, noting that Namibia values Brazil’s experience and technological advancement in agriculture, particularly in areas such as the development of smallholder farming, livestock management and agroprocessing.
Brazil has also been contributing to Namibia’s social development through programmes implemented in partnership with the World Food Programme, supporting vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and patients affected by HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. On the multilateral front, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZOPACAS), which marks its 40th anniversary this year.
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