Namibia wants to learn from China, Mbumba says
President Nangolo Mbumba is back from China, after attending the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing and participating on behalf of Namibia in a bilateral meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping.
Mbumba last week told Xi that the comprehensive strategic partnership for cooperation between Namibia and China provides a framework for both countries' development goals. Namibia wants to learn from China's ability with technical and vocational education for the youth, and is looking for information and communication technology investments as well as foreign direct investment from leading Chinese companies, he said.
Namibia now wants to work with China on green hydrogen development, solar power generation, hydropower, wind power and nuclear power, Mbumba said, "to add value to uranium, for the peaceful development of nuclear power and other energy sources," according to a statement.
Mbumba is also seeking cooperation with China to help establish technology for smart cities in Namibia, to ensure safety, it read.
N$1.5 billion in aid
Meanwhile, Xi described late president Hage Geingob as his friend, and praised Mbumba for the firm leadership that brought the country through Geingob's loss.
The Chinese head of state committed N$1 billion to provide housing for Namibian police staff, with a technical delegation coming to conduct the feasibility studies for the project. Another N$500 million in donations has been made available for other projects. For drought relief, China is giving around N$50 million in aid, he said.
During his visit, Mbumba was also a guest of honour at a dinner hosted by Cai Qi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party central committee's standing committee for the political bureau and the central committee secretariat. In the past, Mbumba had meetings with business leaders where industrial development and the moderation of agriculture were cross-cutting topics.
The Namibian president was one of 53 African leaders who participated in the forum either personally or via representatives.
Mbumba last week told Xi that the comprehensive strategic partnership for cooperation between Namibia and China provides a framework for both countries' development goals. Namibia wants to learn from China's ability with technical and vocational education for the youth, and is looking for information and communication technology investments as well as foreign direct investment from leading Chinese companies, he said.
Namibia now wants to work with China on green hydrogen development, solar power generation, hydropower, wind power and nuclear power, Mbumba said, "to add value to uranium, for the peaceful development of nuclear power and other energy sources," according to a statement.
Mbumba is also seeking cooperation with China to help establish technology for smart cities in Namibia, to ensure safety, it read.
N$1.5 billion in aid
Meanwhile, Xi described late president Hage Geingob as his friend, and praised Mbumba for the firm leadership that brought the country through Geingob's loss.
The Chinese head of state committed N$1 billion to provide housing for Namibian police staff, with a technical delegation coming to conduct the feasibility studies for the project. Another N$500 million in donations has been made available for other projects. For drought relief, China is giving around N$50 million in aid, he said.
During his visit, Mbumba was also a guest of honour at a dinner hosted by Cai Qi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party central committee's standing committee for the political bureau and the central committee secretariat. In the past, Mbumba had meetings with business leaders where industrial development and the moderation of agriculture were cross-cutting topics.
The Namibian president was one of 53 African leaders who participated in the forum either personally or via representatives.
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