Staff Reporter
Boosting intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the key issues under discussion at the Second Session of the Botswana–Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC).
This was highlighted by Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, Executive Director at the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, who is co-chairing the Botswana–Namibia BNC Senior Officials’ Session alongside Thuso Ramodimoosi, Permanent Secretary in Botswana’s Ministry of International Relations. The session began on Monday, 6 October, and will run until Wednesday, 8 October 2025.
Following the Senior Officials’ Session, a Ministerial Session will convene to review and deliberate on the key outcomes and recommendations presented by the senior officials.
“I am convinced that our deliberations will lead to the enhancement of bilateral cooperation between our two countries. The expected outcome of the Senior Officials’ Meeting will be Draft Agreed Minutes and a Draft Joint Communiqué, to be initialled by myself and my counterpart, Ambassador Ramodimoosi, as the Co-Chairs. These documents will then be forwarded to the Ministerial Meeting, where they will be presented by the Co-Chairs of the Senior Officials’ Meeting and considered by the Ministers,” Nghipondoka-Robiati explained.
She noted that key issues Namibia intends to raise during the BNC include increasing intra-African trade through the AfCFTA and enhancing infrastructure development and connectivity within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
“In Namibia, our current preoccupations are focused on the following sectors: Agriculture; Sport; Youth Empowerment – including creating jobs specifically for this demographic; Quality Education and Training; the Creative Industry; Quality Health and Social Welfare; as well as Land, Housing and Sanitation,” Nghipondoka-Robiati stated.
She called on senior officials to ensure that their discussions translate into meaningful and actionable outcomes that improve the lives of citizens in both countries.
“I am cognisant of the fact that much of the work and substance of our meeting lies in the committee discussions, where our senior officials, together with our technical experts, will deliberate on the agenda before us with a view to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. Throughout this process, I invite us all to hold dear the fact that our joint efforts to promote sustainable development for our respective peoples should be a priority as we move forward in our deliberations. Accordingly, let us utilise this opportunity to review, exchange and bring about substantive ideas which will further reinforce our cooperation,” Nghipondoka-Robiati added.
