Tanzania and Namibia have signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on political and diplomatic consultations (cooperation), security matters as well as energy resources.

The MOUs were signed following the deliberations of the three-day third session of the Namibia-Tanzania Joint Commission on Cooperation in Windhoek, Namibia.

Tanzania's Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Stergomena Lawrence Tax, said the successful implementation of the three agreements will contribute to socio-economic development in Namibia and Tanzania and will enhance their citizens' living standards.

She however raised concern over the slow implementation of the existing agreements, reiterating the call to redouble efforts for speedy implementation and thus strengthening historical bonds, increasing trade links, and broadening economic and political cooperation.

“In order to enhance our relations, we must take our decisions seriously and implement the issues that have been agreed upon. Let us also eliminate the bureaucracy that prevents us from reaching our goals, and in the process, save the lives of our people,” she noted.

In addition, she called upon senior officials to ensure that the 18 pending MoUs were finalised.

The JCC meeting took place from 8 to 10 March 2023, with Dr Tax leading the Tanzanian delegation.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, believes it is high time the two countries elevated their economic and political ties in order to realise the African vision of clean water, free education, and quality health care.

Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah equally called for commitment from both sides for effective implementation of their existing bilateral agreements through careful monitoring.

“For one of them, we have agreed that communication from both teams on the implementation process should occur every six months, in addition to the mid-term review, which is required to take place before the 4th JCC next year,” she said.

She added: “All of the authorities in attendance, you are the implementers, and we kindly ask that you understand that we need feedback from your ministries when we contact them in order to offer the services our people desire.”

The 4th session of the Namibia-Tanzania Joint Commission of Cooperation will take place in Tanzania in 2025.

The embassy has also opened a library with books and magazines in Kiswahili for people who are interested in learning the language to visit and study at this time when the governments of Tanzania and Namibia are negotiating for the Kiswahili language to be included in the language of choice in Namibian schools.

In 2021, during the JCC held in Tanzania, the two countries signed MoUs spelling out how they will cooperate in tourism, mining, manufacturing/industries and trade – as well as in the empowerment of youths.