More information about Namibia is available on the Namibia Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-NAMIBIA RELATIONS
U.S.-Namibian relations are friendly. The United States participated in the diplomatic efforts to bring about Namibia’s 1990 independence from South Africa and has since worked to strengthen political, economic, and people-to-people ties. The bilateral relationship is characterized by a shared commitment to democratic principles, including the rule of law, respect for human rights, independence of the judiciary, and freedom of the press. The United States and Namibia are partners in the effort to combat HIV/AIDS, stem wildlife trafficking and promote conservation, and expand trade and development opportunities.
U.S. Assistance to Namibia
Namibia is a focus country under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the United States and Namibia have signed a PEPFAR Partnership Framework. USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are the primary implementers of these programs. A five-year Millennium Challenge Account Compact to reduce poverty and accelerate economic growth in the sectors of education, tourism, and agriculture concluded successfully in September 2014. On average, there are 125-135 Peace Corps volunteers present in Namibia. The Department of Defense has provided professional development training to the Namibian Defence Force.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Namibia seeks to diversify its trading relationships which, for historical reasons, were tied to South African goods and services. The country is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Namibia belongs to the Southern African Customs Union, which has signed a Trade, Investment, and Development Cooperative Agreement (TIDCA) with the United States. The TIDCA establishes a forum for consultative discussions, cooperative work, and possible agreements on a wide range of trade issues. The main Namibian exports to the United States are uranium ore and diamonds. Mineral fuels and chemical products make up the majority of U.S. exports to Namibia.
Namibia’s Membership in International Organizations
Namibia’s foreign policy is heavily influenced by the positions taken by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the African Union, and the Non-Aligned Movement, of which it is a member. Namibia and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
Bilateral Representation
Principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.
More information about Namibia is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
CIA World Factbook Namibia Page
U.S. Embassy
USAID Namibia Page
History of U.S. Relations With Namibia
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Country Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Millennium Challenge Corporation: Namibia
Travel Information
