High-Level EU visit to Namibia 17–19 September 2025 Commissioner for International Partnerships, H.E. Jozef Síkela and Chair and members of European Parliament Committee on[...]

High-Level EU visit to Namibia 17-19 September 2025 Commissioner for International Partnerships, H.E. Jozef Síkela and Chair and members of European Parliament Committee on Development

A high-level delegation of the European Union will visit Namibia from 17 to 19 September 2025 to reinforce the EU-Namibia partnership and see how Global Gateway investments in Namibian green industrialisation boost job creation and growth.

A high-level delegation of the European Union will visit Namibia from 17 to 19 September 2025 to reinforce the EU-Namibia partnership and see how Global Gateway investments in Namibian green industrialisation boost job creation and growth.

The delegation consists of the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, H.E. Jozef Síkela, and the chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Development, Mr. Barry Andrews as well as eight senior Members of the Committee and the Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly.

The objectives of the mission are:

• To strengthen the EU-Namibia partnership for more economic and social opportunities in relation to the Strategic partnership on Green Hydrogen and Critical Raw Material value chains. This is part of Namibia's Green industrialisation strategy.

• To showcase the 360-degree approach of the EU Global Gateway strategy in impactful flagships and Team Europe initiatives, which goes from investments in infrastructure to skills development and social projects for more job opportunities.

• To highlight the EU's role as Namibia's first trade and development partner, reflecting a relationship built on mutual respect, shared values and common goals.

• The purpose of the EU approach together with Namibia is to ensure everyone can benefit from the economic transition towards green industrialisation, including with job creation and new opportunities for the local private sector.

The programme will include meetings with the President and Namibian decision-makers, civil society representatives, private sector and key stakeholders, as well as site visits to projects supported by the EU, including those implemented under the EU's Global Gateway strategy.

EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela has commented:

"This visit to Namibia with the European Parliament underlines how much we are committed to join forces on the EU side, together with EU Member states and financial institutions in a Team Europe approach to unlock economic and job opportunities under Global Gateway. Together with Namibia's leadership and combined with the firepower of European companies and local private sector, we want to drive meaningful and sustainable impact, advancing the shared goals of prosperity and green development for Namibian people."

Chair of the European Parliament's Development Committee Barry Andrews said:

"It is an honour to represent the European Parliament for this important mission to Namibia. The European Parliament is a champion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and at a time of growing global insecurity our commitment to building relations with countries such as Namibia is more important than ever. Effective cooperation requires strong democratic dialogue, transparency, and accountability, and I look forward to meeting key decision makers, including the President, and key civil society representatives in Namibia during our trip."

Background:

The EU and Namibia are reliable and committed partners, celebrating this year the 35th anniversary of bilateral relations. Team Europe is Namibia's biggest trade and development partner, with a positive trade surplus for Namibia supporting local and regional value chains.

This mission will reinforce the depth of EU-Namibia cooperation under the Global Gateway strategy for Namibian's growth and jobs, while also promoting civil society dialogue and strengthened democratic accountability.

Global Gateway is the EU's contribution of €300 billion to narrowing the global investment gap worldwide. It is in line with the commitment of the G7 leaders from June 2021 to launch a values-driven, high-standard and transparent infrastructure partnership to meet global infrastructure development needs. Global Gateway is also fully aligned with the UN's Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Paris Agreement.