In a display of sisterhood and statecraft, Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made her first official visit to Tanzania on May 20–21, 2025, since taking office in March.
She was warmly received by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, marking a historic moment as two of Africa’s sitting female heads of state came together to reaffirm and strengthen bilateral relations.
Their reunion—three decades in the making—traced back to 1995, when both leaders attended the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
Since then, they have walked parallel political paths, each serving as ministers of tourism and later ascending to vice presidencies before ultimately shattering glass ceilings in their respective nations.
During the visit in Dar es Salaam, the two presidents focused on expanding cooperation across several key sectors, including trade, energy, tourism, gas and oil exploration, and cultural exchange.
President Hassan reported a notable increase in bilateral trade, with transactions reaching $7.41 million in 2023.
In a significant cultural gesture, President Hassan proposed the introduction of Kiswahili language education in Namibia — a move welcomed by President Nandi-Ndaitwah as a bridge to strengthen people-to-people connections between the two countries.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah also took time to honor Tanzania’s pivotal role in Namibia’s liberation, expressing deep appreciation for the country’s enduring solidarity.
Her visit included a stop at the African Liberation Heritage Centre and a keynote lecture at the University of Dar es Salaam, titled “Inspiring Women to Break Barriers in Leadership Positions: A Personal Experience.”
The speech addressed inclusive governance, leadership, and Africa’s developmental priorities.
