Namibia Passport

[Country Name] The Republic of Namibia.

【 Area 】 824269 square kilometers.

Population: 3.02 million (2023). 88% are black, while white and people of color make up approximately 12% of the total population. The Aowanbo ethnic group is the largest ethnic group, accounting for 50% of the total population. Other major ethnic groups include Kavango, Damara, Herero, as well as Caprivi, Nama, Bushman, Rehobot, and Tswana. The official language is English, and Afrikaans, German, Guangya, Nama, and Herero are commonly spoken. 90% of residents believe in Christianity, while the rest adhere to primitive religions.

【 Capital 】 Windhoek, with a population of 480600 (2023), has an annual maximum temperature of 35 ℃ and a minimum temperature of 0 ℃.

President Nangolo Mbumba succeeded Hage Geingob, who passed away due to illness, as President in February 2024.

[Important Festival] New Year's Day: January 1st; Independence Day: March 21st; Labor Day: May 1st; Kasinga Day: May 4th; Africa Day: May 25th; Hero's Day: August 26th; Human Rights Day: December 10th; Christmas and Family Day: December 25th and 26th.

[Overview] Originally called Southwest Africa, it borders Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana and South Africa to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The coastline is 1600 kilometers long. Most areas in the entire region are at an altitude of 1000-1500 meters. The western coastal and eastern inland areas are deserts, while the north is a plain. The main rivers are the Orange River, the Cunene River, and the Okavango River. The climate is dry and hot with little rainfall, with an average annual temperature of 18-22 ℃. It is divided into four seasons: spring (September November), summer (December February), autumn (March May), and winter (June August).

From the 15th to the 18th century, colonizers such as Portugal, the Netherlands, and Britain successively invaded. It was occupied by Germany in 1890. In 1915, South Africa participated in the Allied War against Germany and sent troops to occupy Southwest Africa. In 1920, the League of Nations entrusted South Africa with the governance of Southwest Africa. In 1949, South Africa illegally annexed Southwest Africa. In April 1960, the Southwest African People's Organization (referred to as the People's Party) was established and began the struggle for national independence. In 1966, the United Nations passed a resolution to abolish South Africa's mandate over Southwest Africa. In 1968, the United Nations General Assembly decided to rename Southwest Africa as Namibia based on the will of the people of Southwest Africa. In 1978, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 435 in support of achieving independence. In 1989, under the supervision of the United Nations, the Constituent Assembly and presidential elections were held, and the People's Party won, with its candidate Nujoma elected president. Independence was declared on March 21, 1990.

After independence, the political situation has remained stable. The People's Party and the government attach great importance to education, health, infrastructure construction, etc., focus on improving people's lives, and continuously develop economic and social undertakings. In November 2014, Na held its fifth presidential and national assembly elections after independence. Hage Geingob ran as the presidential candidate of the People's Party and was elected president with 87% of the vote. He took office on March 21, 2015. In November 2019, Na held his sixth presidential and national assembly elections after independence. President Negob won re-election with 56.3% of the vote and was inaugurated on March 21, 2020. On February 4, 2024, President Negob passed away due to illness. Vice President Mbemba will take over the presidency in accordance with the constitution and serve until the inauguration of the newly elected President of Namibia in March 2025.

The current Constitution was formulated in February 1990 and has undergone several revisions since then. The Constitution stipulates that the system of separation of powers, bicameral parliament, and presidential cabinet shall be implemented. The President shall be the Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, with a term of 5 years and no more than two terms; Upon the recommendation of the Cabinet, the President may announce the dissolution of the National Assembly and hold national elections; At the same time, the president should resign and elect a new president within 90 days after the dissolution of the parliament; The amendment of the constitution requires the approval of a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament.

The parliament is composed of the National Assembly and the National Council. The term of office of the National Assembly is 5 years. The current National Assembly was formed in March 2020, with a total of 104 seats. Among the 96 directly elected seats, the People's Party holds 63 seats, and there are also 8 members nominated by the President for a term until March 2025. Peter Katjavivi, the current Speaker of the National Assembly, took office in March 2015 and was re elected in March 2020.

The National Committee is composed of 42 representatives elected by 14 district committees across the country. Hold at least two meetings per year. The President has no authority to dissolve the National Committee. The 6th National Committee was established in December 2020 and will serve until December 2025. Chairman Lucas Sinimbo Muha.

The current government was formed in March 2020. After the death of President Negob in February 2024, some adjustments were made to the cabinet members. The current main members include: President Nangalo Mbemba, Vice President Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah (female), Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa Amadhila (female), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Peya Mushelenga, Minister of Presidential Affairs Christine Hoebes (female), Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs Frans Kapofi, Ministry of Interior, Immigration and Security Minister Albert Kawana, Minister of Industrialization and Trade Lucia Iipumbu (female), Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Lipumbu Shiimi, Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Anna Nghipondoka, Minister of Sports, Youth and National Services Agnes Tjongarero, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus, Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Reduction and Social Welfare Doreen Sioka, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Land Reform Calle Scheltveen, Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni, Minister of Health and Social Services Minister Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation Itath Kandjii Murangi, female, Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Derek Klazen, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Yvonne Dausab, Minister of Justice, Utoni Nujoma, Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Thomas Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, and others.

[URL] http://www.gov.na/ .

The country is divided into 14 administrative regions. They are Kunene, Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango West, Kavango East, Caprivil, Otjozondjupa, Erongo, Omaheke, Khomas, Hardap, Karas.

The judicial system is composed of the Supreme Court, district courts, and local courts. The Supreme Court justices and the Attorney General are appointed by the President after consultation with the Cabinet and the Judicial Advisory Committee. District and local court judges are appointed by the Minister of Justice. Supreme Court Justice Peter Shivute and Attorney General Festus Mbandeka.

There are over 40 political parties, big and small, with 10 of them holding seats in the current National Assembly. The main political parties are:

(1) The South West African People's Organization, SWAPO）： Abbreviated as the People's Party, the ruling party. Established on April 19, 1960, it was formerly known as the Ao Wanban People's Organization, founded in 1958. It received widespread support from the largest ethnic group, the Ao Wanban, and other social classes. It began armed struggle in August 1966 and won the Constituent Assembly elections in November 1989, becoming the ruling party. In December 1991, Namibia held its first national congress after independence, deciding to transform from a national liberation organization to a mass political party. The 7th National Congress was held in November 2022, with Hag Gengob and Netombo Nandi Ndetwa re elected as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively, and Sophia Shaningwa re elected as General Secretary. After the death of Negob in February 2024, Ndetwa became the acting party chairman. The Central Committee meeting will be held in March 2024, and it has been decided to hold a special party congress in April 2025 to elect a new party chairman.

(2) The Popular Democratic Movement, PDM）： Originally known as the Turnhar Democratic Alliance, it was renamed to its current name in January 2018. Founded in November 1977 by a coalition of 10 ethnic groups from the White Republican Party, it was reorganized in 1989 to include 12 political parties and factions, proclaiming its opposition to both communism and racism. In 2003, its important members, the Republican Party and the National Unity Democratic Organization, announced their withdrawal from the alliance. Current Chairman McHenry Venaani. The party won 16 seats in the 2019 general election. Currently the largest opposition party.

(3) The Landless People Movement, LPM）： Established in 2016, advocating for radical land reform policies. Current Chairman Bernadus Swartbooi. The party is currently the third largest party in the National Assembly.

[Important Person] Nangoro Mbemba: President. Born on August 15, 1941 in the Oshikoto district of northern Naxi, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State College and a Master of Biology degree from the University of Connecticut in the United States. Joined the People's Party at an early age. From 1993 to 1996, he served as the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Rural Development; From 1996 to 2003, served as the Minister of Finance; From 2003 to 2005, served as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting; From 2005 to 2010, served as the Minister of Education; From 2010 to 2012, served as the Minister of Safety and Security; Elected as the General Secretary of the Party in 2012, resigned in 2017; Appointed as Vice President in February 2018 and re elected in March 2020; In February 2024, he will take over as president from Negob, who passed away due to illness, and serve until March 2025.

Namibia has relatively complete infrastructure and is one of the countries with the richest marine fishery resources in the world. Its mineral resources and production, such as uranium and diamonds, rank among the top in Africa. Mining, fishing, tourism, and agriculture and animal husbandry are the pillar industries, while planting and manufacturing are relatively backward. After independence, the People's Party government successively formulated five five-year economic development plans (the fifth national development plan is from 2017 to 2022) and a long-term plan for 2030, vigorously attracting foreign investment to develop manufacturing, mineral processing, tourism, and financial services industries, supporting the development of black enterprises, while paying attention to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of white people and maintaining stable economic growth. Affected by the international financial crisis, the economic growth rate has temporarily slowed down. To this end, the government has taken measures such as increasing investment in infrastructure construction and mineral resource development, stimulating consumption, and making poverty alleviation, narrowing the wealth gap, and achieving industrialization a key focus of governance. It is committed to improving people's livelihoods and promoting national economic independence, achieving certain practical results. After the outbreak of the COVID-19, the tourism industry and other pillar industries suffered heavy losses, and economic development was difficult. In July 2022, the government announced the successful containment of the epidemic, the complete cancellation of epidemic prevention measures, and the gradual return of various economic and social activities to the right track. Driven by the sustained recovery of the mining industry, agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery, and tourism industries, the economy is gradually recovering.

The main economic data of Namibia in 2023 are as follows (data sources: Namibian Bureau of Statistics, London Economic Quarterly Review, World Bank, etc.):

Gross Domestic Product: 12.349 billion US dollars

Per capita Gross Domestic Product: Approximately 4086 US dollars

Economic growth rate: 4.2%

Inflation rate: 5.9%

Total external debt: 8.3 billion US dollars

Foreign exchange reserves: 2.78 billion US dollars

Exchange rate: 1 US dollar ≈ 18.45 Naiyuan

【 Resources 】 Mineral resources are very abundant, known as the 'strategic metal reserve'. The main mineral deposits include diamonds, uranium, copper, lead, zinc, gold, etc.

There are about 300 manufacturing enterprises in the industrial and mining industry, with over 90% being small-scale private enterprises. The main industries include food and beverage, textile and clothing, leather processing, wood processing, and building materials and chemicals. Mining is one of the traditional pillar industries in China, contributing 10% to the gross domestic product annually. 90% of mineral products are exported, mainly producing uranium oxide, diamonds, gold, etc. In 2023, Namibia will produce 8200 tons of uranium. Na is an important diamond supplier. In recent years, the sales market for diamonds has expanded, mainly selling to the Middle East and Japan.

70% of the population lives in rural areas, and agriculture absorbs 65% of the labor force. The planting industry is relatively backward. The arable land area in China accounts for only 1% of the total land area, and the main grain crops include corn, sorghum, and millet. Due to scarce rainfall, barren land, low and unstable crop yields, food cannot be self-sufficient. Currently, 70% of the grain relies on imports, mainly from South Africa. The government is implementing the "Green Agriculture Plan" to increase food production. Animal husbandry is relatively developed, with 85% of arable land used for animal husbandry, accounting for 76% of the total income of agriculture and animal husbandry. The main crops are cattle and sheep, with 2.8 million cattle and 4 million sheep in stock. Most of them are exported to South Africa and Europe. The purple lambskin produced is renowned worldwide. Nigeria is rich in fishery resources, with an annual catch of 500000 to 800000 tons, ranking third in Africa and 30th in the world. It mainly produces cod, tuna, sardine, podfish, lobster and crabs, 90% of which are for export.

The tourism industry is relatively developed, with an output value accounting for about 10% of the gross domestic product. Tourist attractions such as beaches and nature reserves are concentrated in the northern and southern regions, with Etosha Park in the north being world-renowned. In 1997, Na became a member of the World Tourism Organization. The favorable conditions for the development of tourism industry include rich and diverse terrain and landforms, prominent biodiversity, emphasis on ecological protection, and relatively complete transportation infrastructure.

The infrastructure for transportation is relatively developed. There are three main international airports, namely Hoshia Kutako International Airport (also known as Windhoek International Airport), Walvis Bay Airport, and Kitmanshup Airport.

Na is a member of the Southern African Customs Union and the Rand currency area. The power of finance and administration is centralized in the central government, and 90% of fiscal revenue comes from taxation. Revenue from the Southern African Customs Union accounts for 20% to 30% of annual fiscal revenue.

Foreign trade mainly exports mineral products, fishery products, livestock products, and primary processed products, of which mineral product exports (excluding diamonds) account for 31% of the export value, and diamonds account for 24%. The economy is highly dependent on imports, and the vast majority of production and living materials need to be imported. Nearly 90% of imported goods come from South Africa. The main export markets are South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, etc. The import and export volume in recent years is as follows (in millions of US dollars):