Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA has taken a major step towards accelerating implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by validating a step-by-step guide designed to help businesses navigate cross-border trade requirements, as government, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the private sector move to strengthen private sector participation in continental markets.
The Validation Workshop for the Step-by-Step Guide for Trading in Goods under the AfCFTA opened in Windhoek on Wednesday and will run until 6 February 2026 at the Mercure Hotel. The workshop brings together representatives from government, the private sector, MSMEs, development partners and the media.
The workshop was officially opened by the Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) Executive Director, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, represented by the Director of International Trade, Asser Nashikaku. It is jointly organised by MIRT, the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) through its Subregional Office for Southern Africa and the Africa Trade Policy Centre.
Photos: Economic Commission for Africa
In her opening message, Nghipondoka-Robiati described the AfCFTA as central to Africa’s trade and industrialisation agenda, aimed at creating a single market for goods and services while boosting the competitiveness of African economies. She said effective implementation of the Agreement is crucial for Namibia to expand exports, strengthen participation in regional value chains and promote inclusive growth, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women and youth.
She added that Namibia has made steady progress in implementing the AfCFTA, including the development of the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy (2022–2027) with technical support from ECA. However, consultations with businesses have revealed limited access to consolidated, practical and user-friendly trade information as a key constraint. Traders, she said, continue to face challenges in navigating rules of origin, customs procedures, product classification, certification and border processes.
The Step-by-Step Guide for Trading in Goods under the AfCFTA, together with the integration of AfCFTA content into the Namibia Trade Information Portal, is intended to address these challenges. The validation workshop aims to ensure that the guide is accurate, relevant and responsive to the needs of businesses.
Speaking on behalf of ECA’s Subregional Office for Southern Africa, Zodwa Mabuza said the guide is meant to translate AfCFTA commitments into practical action by providing clear and accessible information to traders. She said the tool is expected to empower Namibian businesses, particularly MSMEs and women- and youth-led enterprises, to access new markets and participate meaningfully in Africa’s single market.
ECA said that Namibia is among a small group of pilot countries developing such a step-by-step guide, describing the initiative as a milestone in strengthening private sector readiness for AfCFTA trade.
NCCI chief executive officer Titus Nampala said the validation of the guide marks a turning point in addressing long-standing concerns from businesses about how to operationalise the AfCFTA. He said the guide translates policy commitments into practical steps that companies can follow.
Nampala added that the AfCFTA holds transformative potential for Namibian businesses across sectors such as agro-processing, fisheries, manufacturing, energy, telecommunications and services. However, he said that Namibia’s exports to African markets remain concentrated in a narrow range of products and destinations. By December 2025, Namibia had exported goods worth N$5.8 billion to African markets and imported N$5.3 billion, highlighting the need for greater diversification beyond the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
The workshop is assessing the accuracy, relevance and user-friendliness of the guide, while also recommending dissemination strategies to reach businesses in remote and rural areas. Once validated, the guide will be integrated into Namibia’s Trade Information Portal, with training to be provided to ensure its effective use and maintenance. ECA has also encouraged linking the portal to the SADC Online Trade, Technology and Investment Platform to enhance regional and continental access to trade information.
The organisers expressed appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Namibia, the Government of Japan for financial support, and all stakeholders who contributed to developing the guide.
