Namibia eyes intra-Africa trade growth through increased exports

Following Namibia having launched its first export consignment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) from Walvis Bay, the nation is now officially open for intra-African trade—granting access to a market of over 1.3 billion consumers. Minister Selma Ashipala‑Musavyi handed over the trading certificate during the ceremony, marking Namibia’s readiness to engage in one of Africa’s largest trade pacts.

Managing Director of High Economic Intelligence, Salomo Hei, welcomed the development but cautioned that the benefits of AfCFTA will only be fully realised if Namibia significantly increases trade volumes and strengthens its private-sector capacity. Namibia has been proactive: it signed the agreement in 2018, ratified it in 2019, and gazetted its tariff schedules in December 2024 to enable guided trade.

Analysts see the move as a historic milestone, but note that implementation remains critical. Infrastructure, customs modernisation, and SME readiness are key challenges to unlocking AfCFTA’s US$3.4 trillion potential and achieving meaningful economic transformation .

The post Namibia eyes intra-Africa trade growth through increased exports first appeared on Future Media News.

The post Namibia eyes intra-Africa trade growth through increased exports appeared first on Future Media News.