Minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi says Namibia’s relationship with Portugal still has room for growth, especially in trade and investment.
The minister’s remarks were delivered by acting head of the bilateral department Charles Josob at a celebration of Portugal Day at the National Art Gallery of Namibia in Windhoek on Wednesday.
“We must be honest with ourselves: there is still so much more we can do. Our trade volumes, while improving, have not yet matched the scale of our ambition or the depth of our friendship. That is not a criticism; it is an invitation,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
She said Namibia and Portugal have developed a strong relationship through cultural exchange, language training, and trade.
“The Portuguese community in Namibia continues to contribute to the fabric of our society through enterprise, through culture, through a spirit of dedication that we deeply admire and appreciate,” she said.
Josob congratulated Portugal on two achievements: its election to the United Nations Security Council for 2027 to 2028, and the performance of its national football team.
“Portugal on the football pitch, much like Portugal in the world of diplomacy, is a reminder that greatness comes in many forms, and that a small nation can carry a very big presence on the world stage,” he said.
Portugal Day is officially known as the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities. It is celebrated every year on 10 June, the anniversary of the death of Portuguese poet Luís de Camões.
“We commemorate three things: our collective entity forged over centuries as a symbol of our people’s will to build a better future, the Portuguese language as an aggregating pole of cultures and peoples, and our communities, scattered around the four corners of the world,” Portuguese ambassador to Namibia Rui Carmo says.
The embassy organised a fado concert in celebration of the day, with performances from singer Soraia Cardoso and musicians João Felipe and Bernardo Romão. Fado is a traditional Portuguese music genre known for its emotional melodies and lyrics.
