(Commonwealth_India) Namibia is to introduce the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) scheme later this year, together with the formation of an Entrepreneurship Development Center. These expansions were broadcast in subsequent negotiations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, with the aim of consolidating the partnership between the two countries.
During their conference in Windhoek, the leaders focused on improving support across several key sectors, including digital technology, defense, security, agriculture, healthcare, education, and the development of critical minerals. The strategy to familiarize a digital payment system in Namibia is based on a UPI technology licensing agreement contracted last April between India’s National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Bank of Namibia.
Following their talks, India and Namibia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up an Entrepreneurship Development Center in Namibia, along with another agreement to collaborate in health and medicine. Furthermore, Namibia officially connected two India-backed global initiatives—the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance. The CDRI works to strengthen the infrastructure’s ability to withstand climate change and natural disasters by bringing together governments, international bodies, and private sector partners.
Modi, who was visiting Namibia at the invitation of President Nandi-Ndaitwah, referred to the country as a “valued and trusted partner” in Africa. After the State House discussions, the two sides formalized their partnership by signing four agreements, covering health and medicine cooperation, the entrepreneurship center, the CDRI framework, and the Global Biofuels Alliance framework.
This visit marked Prime Minister Modi’s first to Namibia and only the third ever by an Indian prime minister. Arriving from Brazil, Namibia was the last stop on his five-nation diplomatic tour.
Modi paid compliments to Namibia’s founding father, Sam Nujoma, at the Heroes’ Acre memorial. Modi remembered Nujoma, who directed the country to liberation in 1990 and served as its first president for 15 years, as a visionary who devoted his life to Namibia’s liberty.
Namibia honored PM Modi with its highest civilian award, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, as a mark of deep respect and friendship. In his acceptance speech, Modi spoke about the significance of the Welwitschia plant, which lends its name to the award. “This is no ordinary plant,” he said. “It stands like a wise elder in the family, quietly bearing witness to the flow of time. It represents Namibia’s strength, endurance, and vibrant heritage.”
