Namibians eager to benefit from AfCFTA
Namibians are industrious, ambitious, and poised to take advantage of economic opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), according to international relations minister, Selma Ashipala-Museyvi, who emphasised the importance of creating enabling conditions that allow citizens to participate fully in the economy.
She made the remarks during a ministerial engagement held with ministry officials and said visits undertaken across Namibia had shown a willingness to conduct business on the continent.
“We have undertaken visits to all our regions, engaging directly with communities, entrepreneurs and traders. These unique engagements have been enlightening and inspiring. They have confirmed that Namibians are industrious, ambitious and ready to participate in the economy, if we create the enabling conditions," Ashipala-Museyvi said.
The engagements, which spanned the country’s regions, highlighted the potential of local businesses and the desire of citizens to contribute to economic growth. Ashipala-Musavyi underlined that its role is to ensure national trade and investment policies translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Namibians.
"It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that our work at Headquarters and particularly at missions translates into real opportunities for ordinary Namibians. At the same time, we have effectively and nationally consulted on the draft Investment Promotion and Facilitation Bills and finalised the Trade Management Bill. Both draft bills are tied to tangible results in terms of jobs created, investment secured, barriers removed, markets opened, and national interests protected," she said.
She further stressed the need to strengthen Namibia’s trade capabilities in line with the AfCFTA and other bilateral and multilateral trade obligations.
"In the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as Namibia’s bilateral and multilateral trade obligations. To fully leverage the potential of the AfCFTA, Namibia must strengthen its trade capabilities through market diversification and a targeted focus on priority sectors where the country enjoys a competitive advantage," Ashipala-Musavyi said.
Core sectors identified for growth include agriculture, mining, renewable energy, and logistics, alongside the expansion of trade in services such as tourism, business and financial services, health, transport, and communication.
"Core sectors such as agriculture, mining, renewable energy, and logistics will remain central to this effort, alongside the expansion of trade in services, particularly tourism, business and financial services, health, transport, and communication," Ashipala-Musavyi said.
According to officials, these sectors will be pivotal in enhancing Namibia’s competitiveness and consolidating its position within Africa’s broader trading landscape.
"Together, these sectors will be critical in enhancing Namibia’s competitiveness and consolidating its position within the African trading landscape," she said.
