Windhoek, Namibia, 5 February 2026 (ECA) - Namibia has taken a decisive step towards strengthening private sector participation in continental trade with the official opening of the Validation Workshop for the Step-by-Step Guide for Trading in Goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), scheduled to take place from 5 to 6 February 2026 at the Mercure Hotel Windhoek.
The workshop was officially opened by Ms Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT), represented by Mr Asser Nashikaku, Director of International Trade at MIRT. 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 (SRO-SA) and the Africa Trade Policy Centre (ATPC).
In her opening message, Ms Nghipondoka-Robiati described the AfCFTA as a cornerstone of Africa’s trade and industrialisation agenda, aimed at creating a single, integrated market for goods and services while enhancing the competitiveness of African economies. She emphasised that, for Namibia, effective implementation of the Agreement is critical to expanding export opportunities, strengthening participation in regional value chains, and advancing inclusive economic growth, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women and youth.
She highlighted Namibia’s steady progress in implementing the AfCFTA Agreement, including the development of the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy (2022–2027) with technical support from ECA. Despite this progress, Ms. Nghipondoka-Robiati noted that consultations with businesses continue to reveal limited access to consolidated, practical and user-friendly trade information as a key constraint. She stressed that policy commitments alone are insufficient to deliver tangible AfCFTA benefits, as traders often face challenges navigating rules of origin, product classification, customs procedures, certification, documentation and border processes.
She explained that 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 directly address these challenges. The validation workshop, she said, is a critical step in ensuring that these tools are accurate, relevant and responsive to the real needs of the business community.
Speaking at the opening session, Ms Zodwa Mabuza, Chief of the Subregional Initiatives Section at ECA’s SRO-SA, delivering remarks on behalf of Ms Eunice G. Kamwendo, Director of SRO-SA, underscored the importance of the validation exercise in translating the AfCFTA from policy into practice.
“The Step-by-Step Guide is designed to move the AfCFTA from policy to practice. By providing clear, practical and accessible information, the Guide will empower Namibian businesses—particularly MSMEs, women and youth-led enterprises—to navigate trade requirements, access new markets, and participate fully in Africa’s single market,” Ms Mabuza said.
Ms Kamwendo noted that Namibia is among a select group of pilot countries developing a step-by-step guide for trading under the AfCFTA, describing the initiative as a key milestone in strengthening private sector readiness. She emphasised that the success of the AfCFTA will largely depend on effective uptake by the private sector, with the Guide serving as an informational “walking stick” for navigating cross-border trade requirements.
Representing the private sector, Mr Titus Nampala, Chief Executive Officer of the NCCI, described the validation of the Guide as a turning point in addressing long-standing business concerns regarding the practical implementation of the AfCFTA. He noted that businesses have consistently sought clarity on how to operationalise the Agreement and said the Guide responds directly to this need by translating commitments into actionable steps.
Mr Nampala highlighted the AfCFTA’s transformative potential for Namibian businesses across sectors, including agro-processing, fisheries, manufacturing, energy, telecommunications and services. He observed that, despite growing engagement in intra-African trade, Namibia’s exports remain concentrated in a narrow range of products and markets. As of December 2025, Namibia exported goods worth N$5.8 billion to African markets and imported N$5.3 billion, underscoring the need for greater product and market diversification beyond SACU.
The validation workshop brings together representatives from government institutions, the private sector, MSMEs, development partners and the media to assess the accuracy, relevance and user-friendliness of the Guide, while also recommending effective dissemination strategies, including reaching businesses in remote and rural areas.
Following validation, the Guide will be integrated into Namibia’s Trade Information Portal, with training provided to ensure its effective maintenance and use. ECA has further encouraged linking the Portal to the SADC Online Trade, Technology and Investment Platform (SOTIP) to enhance continental visibility and access.
MIRT, ECA and NCCI expressed appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Namibia, the Government of Japan for its financial support, and all stakeholders who contributed to the development of the Guide.
The two-day workshop marks an important milestone in empowering Namibian businesses to trade smarter, compete effectively and seize opportunities in Africa’s single market.
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Ms. Rosalia Uushona
Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT)
Email: ruushona@mirco.gov.na
Ms. Sharon Zaaruka
NCCI Marketing and SME Development Officer
Email: szaaruka@ncci.org.na
Mr. Bedson Nyoni
Senior Information Management Assistant
ECA Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa
Email: nyonib@un.org
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org