Namibia President urges Africa to harness natural resources, youth for global influence

Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Africa must harness its vast natural resources and youthful population to strengthen its economic power and influence global decisions, rather than allow others to determine the continent’s future.

She argues that Africa’s population of more than a billion people and its rich natural resources give the continent considerable economic leverage, which could be better utilised through stronger regional cooperation and increased trade among African countries.

In an interview on Diplomatic Affairs with Harriet Nartey on Joy Prime, President Nandi-Ndaitwah said Africa must recognise its strengths and take greater responsibility for shaping the rules governing its participation in the global economy.

“I believe that Africa needs to recognise their strength. First and foremost, we are a useful continent as we are now, and that is our biggest resource. That is complemented by our natural resources,” she said.

The Namibian leader believes the continent must move beyond dependence on decisions made by external powers and build the confidence to set its own economic priorities.

“Africa can take its own decisions and defend their decisions. And let others come in, if they want to come in,” she stated.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah said Africa’s large population represents a significant market that could promote trade, strengthen local industries, and attract partners seeking to participate in the continent’s economic growth.

She called for a stronger African Continental Free Trade Area, arguing that deeper economic integration would encourage countries to trade more among themselves and strengthen their collective position in the global marketplace.

“If you really will see that we have been squeezed in this global village, and we strengthened our continental free trade area, and really decide to trade among ourselves, the others who come and join us,” she said.

The President also questioned the tendency of African countries to approach international trade negotiations using rules and frameworks developed elsewhere, rather than defining arrangements that reflect the continent’s priorities.

She cited rules of origin as an example, suggesting African countries should consider how to shape such rules to serve their interests.

Diplomatic Affairs with Harriet Nartey is aired every Sunday at 7:30 pm on Joy Prime