THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
In a significant policy shift, Namibia has introduced a visa requirement for German nationals and citizens of 32 other countries, effective from 1 April 2025.
The policy aims to establish reciprocity with nations that mandate visas for Namibian citizens. The affected countries span Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania, including:
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Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
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North America: Canada, United States
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Asia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
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Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Previously, German visitors enjoyed visa-free access to the southern African nation. The new regulation mandates that travellers obtain a visa either online, at a Namibian embassy or upon arrival at designated ports of entry. The visa, valid for 90 days and allowing multiple entries, incurs a fee of NAD 1,600 (approximately €82 or US$88).
Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has stated that the policy is rooted in the principle of diplomatic reciprocity. Namibian citizens currently require visas to enter Germany and other European Union countries, prompting the Namibian government to seek equal treatment for its nationals.
The new visa policy has elicited mixed reactions. Some view it as a justified step towards equitable international relations, while others express concern over potential negative impacts on Namibia’s tourism sector, which contributes approximately 6% to the country’s GDP. Tour operators worry that the additional visa process and fees may deter tourists, particularly from Europe.
Namibian authorities have emphasized that the visa application process is designed to be straightforward, offering options for online applications, embassy submissions or on-arrival processing at major entry points such as Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek and Walvis Bay International Airport.
As Namibia implements this policy, it underscores the nation’s pursuit of balanced international engagement and the assertion of its sovereignty in global affairs.
Namibia and Germany have a complex historical relationship. Germany’s colonial rule over Namibia from 1884 to 1915 was marked, among others, the Herero and Nama genocides between 1904 and 1908. In 2021, Germany formally acknowledged this atrocity as genocide and pledged €1.1 billion in development aid over 30 years. However, debates continue regarding the adequacy of this gesture and the need for direct reparations.
Vivian Asamoah
Watch Wode Maya’s visit to Namibia HERE
