EU-twinning project elevates Namibia’s trade landscape: A boost for economic growth

Following an intensive 24-months of facilitation, training, peer-to-peer learning, and diverse events, the European Union-funded Twinning Project titled “Support to the Namibian Standards Institution” successfully concludes on 31 January 2024, marking a significant milestone in boosting Namibia’s trade capabilities.

This was revealed at the closing event, hosted at Droombos to take stock and celebrate the success of the first of its kind EU funded twinning project in Southern Africa.

The € 1.6 Million Twinning Project is part of a broader € 6 Million Programme, called ‘’Support to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Plan in Namibia’’, which aims to directly enhance Namibia’s access to export markets, with a focus on the EPA with the EU.

This is done through rendering institutional support (to MIT, NSI amongst others); improved EPA related quality infrastructure and services (e.g. provision of laboratory equipment to NSI); supporting platforms to boost trade and investment (e.g. EPA Trade Forum and EU-Namibia Business Forum) and supporting enhanced competitiveness of value chains.

In her keynote address, Hon. Lucia Iipumbu, Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, explained that the Twinning Project’s primary objective was to aid the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) in fulfilling its mandate, which is to strengthen Namibia’s participation in international trade agreements and boost its trade and economic growth.

Dr. Eino Mvula, CEO of the Namibian Standards Institution, expressed satisfaction with the successful implementation of the twinning project. He highlighted its focus on two key components: 1. Institutional capacity to deal with Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and 2. Enhancing Quality & Standards (Q&S).

“I am proud to inform you all that the EU-Twinning project has yielded significant results, including increased capacity building and skills of NSI and MIT staff, support to implement the Namibian National Quality Policy, and the implementation of the first Quality Infrastructure Forum attended by over 80 Namibian stakeholders,” he said.

H.E. Ana Beatriz Martins, EU Ambassador to Namibia noted that the project significantly contributes to the smoothing of trade flows between the EU and Namibia.

This, in turn, promotes job opportunities and economic growth, addressing the goals of the EU-Namibia partnership through collaborative interventions.

Trade figures revealed that the EU (27) is the largest trading partner of SADC (2019 figures) and the second export market for Namibian products.

Over the last 11 years (between 2012 and 2022), Namibian exports in goods to Europe have grown by 50% from € 889 Million in 2012 to € 1,334 billion in 2022, while imports have grown by 8,9% over the same period.

Namibia has enjoyed a consistent positive trade balance over this period. High praise for the project was also conveyed by other distinguished speakers, including H.E. Thorsten Hutter, German Ambassador to Namibia, Mr. Christian Fogelström, Deputy Head of Mission Swedish Embassy to Namibia, Botswana & South Africa, and Dr. Thomas Zielke, EU Project Leader.

The successful completion of the EU-Twinning Project underscores its role in enhancing Namibia’s trade capacities and fostering a resilient economic landscape.