Namibia
has joined a growing list of African countries to have a woman as president
following the inauguration of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday.
The ceremony held at State House in the capital Windhoek was attended by several Africa Heads of State, including Kenya's William Ruto.
Namibia becomes the 11th African country in history to have a woman occupying the highest office on land after Burundi (1993), South Africa (2005); Liberia (2006); Gabon (2009); Mauritius (2012); Malawi (2012); Central African Republic (2014); Mauritius (2015); Ethiopia (2018) and Tanzania (2021).
Ruto commended Namibia for the historic feat and wished the newly elected president the best.
"We join the people of Namibia in celebrating the historic inauguration of their first female President, Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. It was a double celebration as the country was also marking the 35th independence anniversary," he said in a statement.
"We wish President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is also Namibia's fifth head of State, every success as she undertakes the noble duty of serving in the highest office in her nation," Ruto added.
Previously, Nandi-Ndaitwah served as the third vice president between 2024 and 2025.
In 2017, she was elected vice-president of SWAPO, becoming also the first woman to serve in that position.
Before entering the top leading position, Nandi-Ndaitwah previously served as the deputy prime minister of Namibia from 2015 to 2024.
She was also minister of International Relations and Cooperation from December 2012 to 2015, and minister of Environment and Tourism from March 2010 to December 2012.
She is also a long-time member of the National Assembly.
"With her track record in public service, leadership and liberation struggle, I am confident that she will inspire progress and prosperity. Kenya looks forward to working closely with President Nandi-Ndaitwah and the Government of Namibia to further deepen our strong bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of our two nations and people," Ruto said.
Present during the even were Presidents Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), João Lourenço (Angola), Felix Tshisekedi (DRC Congo), Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia), Duma Boko (Botswana), Daniel Chapo (Mozambique) and Brahim Ghali (Sahrawi), among other leaders.
