India and Namibia have agreed to strengthen India-Namibia trade and investment ties, with a stronger focus on value addition, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, services, renewable energy and digital payments. The two countries will also set up investment focal points and new working groups to expand business cooperation.
India-Namibia Trade Moves Towards Value Addition
The decision followed the two-day meeting of the India-Namibia Joint Trade Committee (JTC), which concluded on Tuesday. Both sides agreed to move beyond a raw-material-led trade structure and promote higher-value trade and investment.
India and Namibia will designate Invest India and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board as investment focal points. The move is expected to help businesses identify investment opportunities and improve coordination.
Bilateral merchandise trade rose to $592.94 million in 2025-26. Trade in services stood at $380 million in 2024.
Critical Minerals Emerge as Key Cooperation Area
The two countries identified critical minerals as a priority area for cooperation. These include lithium, graphite, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements.
The partnership will cover exploration, off-take, processing and downstream beneficiation. This aligns with Namibia’s focus on local value addition and employment generation.
India and Namibia will also explore opportunities in railways, renewable energy, battery storage, transmission, green hydrogen, biofuels and desalination.
India-Namibia Trade Gains Momentum in Services and Healthcare
The two countries will establish a Services Working Group. Its first meeting is expected to take place by February 2027.
Cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare is also progressing. The first Joint Working Group under the bilateral health and medicine agreement is expected to meet by December 2026.
A Janaushadhi cooperation agreement involving HLL life-care Limited is also at an advanced stage of finalization.
Namibia has also been invited to participate in India’s special notified zones for gems and jewellery. The country will receive training in diamond cutting, polishing and jewellery design.
Digital Payments Add New Dimension to Partnership
Digital financial cooperation is gaining momentum between the two countries. Namibia launched the WayaMe’ instant payment system in June 2026. The system is built on India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
India and Namibia are also considering a FinTech Cooperation Framework between the Reserve Bank of India and the Bank of Namibia.
India’s pharmaceutical and medical-device exports to Namibia stood at $36.50 million. The broader economic partnership is expected to create new opportunities across critical minerals, technology, healthcare, renewable energy and other high-value sectors.
