This article covers training and scholarships for Namibians, including a defence training laboratory, educational institutions set up with Indian support, exchanges on election management, cultural activities and the Indian community in Namibia. The information comes from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief on Namibia, which reports events up to March 2026.
Scholarships and training
According to the MEA brief of March 2026, India provides numerous scholarships to Namibians under the ITEC and ICCR programmes. Training slots for Namibian defence personnel are also offered every year.
Two ITEC experts from the Indian Army are deputed to the Namibian Ministry of Defence. Since 1996, an Indian Air Force Technical Team (IAFTT) has been stationed in Namibia to train Namibian Air Force helicopter pilots and hone their technical skills.
On 23 March 2026, a laboratory set up with Government of India support was inaugurated at the School of Signals, Okahandja. It is designed to equip signal personnel of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) with advanced networking and information technology skills. The Chief Guest was Hon'ble Dr. Charles Mobita, Deputy Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Namibia.
Institutions set up with Indian support
An India-Namibia Centre of Excellence in IT (INCEIT) was set up at the Namibia University of Science & Technology (NUST) with Indian support, including the provision of a super-computer. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, together with Namibian dignitaries, inaugurated INCEIT in Windhoek during his visit of 4-6 June 2023; in that context the brief names it the India-Namibia Centre for Excellence in Information Technology.
An MoU on the establishment of the India-Namibia Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Namibia was signed during Prime Minister Modi's State Visit to Namibia on 9 July 2025.
An 'India Wing' was established at the University of Namibia's Ongwediwa campus through grant support of about USD 12 million by India.
Election management
Ms. Elsie Nghikembu, Chairperson, and Mr. Pius Likwanbi, Commissioner of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, took part in a three-day international conference organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi in January 2026. An MOU on Election Management was also signed during the visit.
Culture and yoga
The brief states that relations between India and Namibia are complemented by cultural bonding. Important days and anniversaries are celebrated together with the Indian community and friends of India in Namibia.
The brief says yoga is popular in Namibia. Regular free yoga classes are conducted at the High Commission.
Indian community
As of the March 2026 brief, there are about four hundred and fifty Indians, NRIs and PIOs in Namibia. The brief states that the presence of the Indian community in Namibia is growing steadily. The India Namibia Friendship Association (INFA) was established in 2020.
The Indian diaspora in Namibia met Prime Minister Modi during his State Visit of 9 July 2025.