Africazine:
Namibia is forging stronger ties with The Netherlands to enhance its agricultural and water management sectors.
This partnership aims to leverage Dutch expertise to boost Namibia’s development agenda. Ambassador Alfredo Hengari highlighted the potential for Namibia to learn from The Netherlands, which exports over €65 billion in agricultural products annually.
Namibia and The Netherlands Strengthen Agricultural Ties
Namibia’s ambassador to Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the European Union, Alfredo Hengari, emphasized the importance of agricultural collaboration. He noted that The Netherlands, despite its small size of about 41,500 square kilometers, is a global leader in agricultural exports, second only to the United States.
With Namibia’s vast land area of over 824,000 square kilometers and significant agricultural potential, the country aims to adopt Dutch practices in precision farming, greenhouse production, and sustainable water management.
Namibia: Key figures on agricultural cooperation
- €65 billion in Dutch agricultural exports annually
- N.34 billion bilateral trade in 2020
- N.8 billion bilateral trade in 2022
Expanding Cooperation Beyond Agriculture
Hengari also mentioned that the partnership will extend beyond agriculture to include water management, sports, scientific research, and cultural exchanges. The Netherlands is recognized for its expertise in water management, making it a strategic ally for Namibia as it addresses its water challenges.
Future Steps in Namibia-Netherlands Partnership
- Pursue partnerships with Dutch businesses and universities
- Attract investment and technology transfer
- Focus on training opportunities and capacity-building initiatives
Namibia is committed to leveraging Dutch expertise for its agricultural and water management sectors.
