Last Updated:July 09, 2025, 22:52 IST

Talks between India and Namibia focused on bolstering bilateral cooperation in digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals

PM Narendra Modi during a meeting with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in Windhoek, Namibia, on July 9. (Image: PMO/PTI)

Namibia will roll out UPI later this year, becoming the first country to adopt the India-made system for real-time payments. 

The announcement was made on Wednesday following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah that focused on imparting a new momentum to bilateral ties.

The meeting primarily focused on bolstering bilateral cooperation in areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals.

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will be launched in Namibia later this year as an outcome of the signing of the UPI technology licensing agreement between NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) and Bank of Namibia in April last year.

During the delegation-level talks, Modi and Nandi-Ndaitwah reviewed the full range of India-Namibia relations.

“Cooperation in areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals figured prominently in our discussions," Modi said in a post on social media after the meeting. “We also discussed how to boost linkages in trade, energy and petrochemicals. Expressed gratitude for the assistance from Namibia in Project Cheetah."

Here are the key takeaways from PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Namibia:

• Namibia will be the first country, where UPI will be deployed for a real-time payment.
• India relocated cheetahs in partnership with Namibia, and is discussing the second phase of the project.
• Namibia joined the India-backed CDRI (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure) and the Global Biofuels Alliance. CDRI is dedicated to enhancing the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks. It includes national governments, international organisations, and the private sector.
• Namibia condemned the Pahalgam terror attack. 
• Namibia is interested in procuring defence equipment and India has extended a line of credit. 
• Namibia requested medicine for malaria. India will be providing malaria diagnostic kits.
• India and Namibia inked an agreement on setting up an entrepreneurship development centre in Namibia.
• Another agreement was inked on cooperation in the field of health and medicine.
• Cooperation in natural resources — diamond, lithium, copper, and cobalt — and agriculture.
• India to provide support with equipment and machinery.

This is the first visit of the Prime Minister to Namibia and the third-ever by an Indian PM to the country. He arrived here from Brazil on the final leg of his five-nation tour, and also paid tribute to Namibia’s founding father Sam Nujoma at the Heroes’ Acre memorial.

Nujoma led Namibia to independence in 1990 and served as its first President for 15 years. The PM remembered him as a visionary leader who devoted his life to the struggle for his country’s independence.

“As the first President of free Namibia, Nujoma made inspiring contribution to the country’s nation-making. His legacy continues to inspire people across the world," the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said in a statement. “Nujoma was a great friend of India."

Modi described Namibia as a “valued and trusted partner" in Africa. Earlier, he received a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour at the State House, along with a 21-gun salute.

(With PTI inputs)

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Location :

Windhoek, Namibia

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News india Namibia To Roll Out UPI This Year: Key Takeaways From PM Modi's Visit To African Nation