Namibia, Angola advance on Baynes Hydropower Plant

LUANDA, May 12, 2025 – Namibia and Angola reaffirmed their commitment to the long-awaited Baynes hydropower plant on the Kunene River during a presidential meeting in Luanda, the Namibian Presidency reported in a statement on Monday.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Angolan president João Lourenço described the cross-border project as urgent, citing its potential to boost economic development and expand energy access in both nations.

The meeting marked Nandi-Ndaitwah’s first international visit since taking office in March and prioritised bilateral cooperation in energy and infrastructure.

The leaders also addressed plans to extend electricity transmission lines and water canals into northern Namibia to support agriculture and industrial development, alongside proposals to establish a new rail link to facilitate cross-border trade.

Talks also focused on oil and gas collaboration, with Angola offering technical training and expertise to support Namibia’s emerging energy industry through Sonangol’s partnership with Namcor. Nandi-Ndaitwah further visited Sonils, an integrated logistics company under Sonangol, and described it as a model for Namibia’s local content development goals.

“Angola has built capacity in the oil and gas sector, providing training to Namibians in Angola, and has demonstrably shown readiness to assist Namibia’s nascent oil and gas sector,” the Namibian Presidency said.

Photo courtesy of the Namibian Presidency

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