The High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to Nigeria, Walde Natangwe Ndevashiya, has been named a recipient of a prestigious Special Recognition Award at the upcoming Papyrus Global Mayors Conference & Awards (PAGMACA) 2026, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to diplomacy, bilateral integration, and sustainable tourism development.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place from April 29th to May 1st, 2026, at The Palms Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria, and is expected to convene over forty mayors and local government executives from across Africa, alongside lawmakers, governors, ministers, and members of the diplomatic corps.
According to the organizers, the Special Recognition Award titled “Excellence in Bilateral Integration and Sustainable Tourism Development” celebrates the High Commissioner’s distinguished leadership and enduring commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations between Namibia and Nigeria. His tenure has been marked by a strategic focus on economic diplomacy, particularly in unlocking the potential of intra-African tourism.
Through high-level engagements and policy-driven collaborations, Ambassador Ndevashiya has championed cross-border tourism initiatives, promoting travel linkages between Windhoek and Abuja, while advancing efforts to modernize hospitality infrastructure and create sustainable economic opportunities in both nations.
Beyond tourism, his diplomatic mission has emphasized investment promotion, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections, ensuring that bilateral relations are anchored not only in policy but in shared social understanding and long-term development goals.
Speaking on the significance of the recognition, the Managing Director and Project Initiator of the Papyrus Global, Doofan Damsa-Justin, stressed the importance of celebrating excellence in public service.
“Africans like His Excellency deserve open recognition. We have become too accustomed to speaking about the shortcomings in public service, while remaining silent when leaders have performed exceptionally well. Both must go together accountability and recognition,” she stated.
The Papyrus Global Mayors Conference & Awards (PAGMACA) is an international platform designed to promote excellence in grassroots governance, foster collaboration among public sector leaders, and highlight impactful leadership shaping communities across Africa and beyond.
The recognition of Ambassador Ndevashiya underscores a broader shift toward acknowledging diplomatic leadership that translates policy into tangible socio-economic outcomes, reinforcing the vital role of international cooperation in driving Africa’s development agenda.
