The Minister of International Relations and Trade welcomed Chinese investors in a different range of agriculture-linked industries in Namibia.

Selma Ashipala-Musavyi made the call during the Investing in Africa and China Agriculture Production and Trade Cooperation Conference held in Changsha, China.

Ashipala-Musavyi says Namibia is currently dependent on imported inputs which create opportunities in fertiliser blending and manufacturing, certified seed multiplication, pesticides, herbicides, livestock feed production and animal vaccine production.

Local manufacturing, she says, will serve both Namibia's needs and neighbouring countries, and Ashipala-Musavyi encouraged investment in upstream production of aquaculture and renewable energy.

"Namibia is open for investment and is ready for meaningful partnerships. We welcome investors who are committed to value creation, knowledge and skills transfer, innovation, and sustainable growth. In the spirit of China-Africa economics and trade, let us build strong agricultural systems together – systems that nourish our people and strengthen China-Africa trade in the context of South-South cooperation."

The minister highlighted an enabling environment and investor support that Namibia offers.

She cited a stable legal and policy environment, attractive tax and investment incentives and a public-private partnership framework.

"For Namibia, agriculture is a cornerstone of its development agenda. It holds the immense potential to deliver food security, generate sustainable employment, especially for our youth, rural transformation, industrialisation, economic diversification and sustainable development. Granted, we are considered a small country with just over three million people; however, our strategic location and trade agreements give us access to expansive and lucrative markets."