President Nandi-Ndaitwah calls for trust and speed in U.S.-Africa deals

 

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has issued a strong call for quicker, more transparent business dealings between the U.S. and Africa. Addressing a high-profile panel on energy partnerships, President Nandi-Ndaitwah said American investors must accelerate project timelines and ensure that real social impact—like job creation and infrastructure improvements—reaches Namibian citizens. Without this, she cautioned, communities may lose faith in future collaboration.

“Communities must see the benefits of these deals, not just promises. Otherwise, trust will continue to erode,” she said.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s remarks come amid the country’s growing profile as an energy frontier. With major offshore oil discoveries by TotalEnergies and Shell and large-scale green hydrogen projects in the pipeline, the country is actively courting foreign investment, while insisting that it must be fair, inclusive, and fast-moving.

Namibia has already signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with U.S. and European partners. However, government officials and economists have expressed concern that negotiations are dragging on with limited implementation on the ground.

Managing Director of High Economic Intelligence, Salomo Hei backed the President’s call, saying:

“Without clear timelines, deliverables, and local involvement, even the best-sounding deals risk collapsing. Communities no longer trust announcements—they trust delivery.”

 

Hei added that Namibia’s youth unemployment and inequality mean energy projects must be linked directly to skills development, local procurement, and revenue-sharing mechanisms.