Windhoek, Namibia, 9 November 2026 – The Government of Namibia, with support from the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), today launched the Namibia Step-by-Step Guide to Trading in Goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The launch was held under the theme “Bridging the Trade Information Gap: Empowering Namibian Businesses to Trade Effectively under the AfCFTA.” The Guide is a practical tool that helps Namibian businesses navigate export and import requirements, turning preferential market access under the AfCFTA into real trade opportunities across Africa.
The launch had three fundamental objectives: to introduce the Guide and demonstrate its practical application; to raise awareness among businesses, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), of the procedures, requirements and tools for accessing preferential markets under the AfCFTA; and to strengthen collaboration among government, the private sector and development partners in addressing the practical barriers to trade and increasing the uptake of AfCFTA preferences.
Speaking at the launch, Ambassador Jerobeam Shaanika, Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT), remarked: “Africa’s single market must translate into real opportunities for businesses.” He stressed the importance of bringing practical trade information closer to entrepreneurs, exporters, and producers so they can navigate procedures, meet requirements and access markets across the continent.
Ms. Eunice Kamwendo, Director of the ECA Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa, emphasized that the launch went beyond release of a publication. “It marks another important step in Namibia’s journey towards translating the promise of the AfCFTA into real opportunities for Namibian businesses. For ECA, it is also an important moment in our partnership with Namibia, which has evolved from supporting the development of the national AfCFTA implementation architecture to helping businesses make practical use of the Agreement.”
Ms Kamwendo added: “The true value of this Guide will be determined by how businesses use it, whether to navigate the export process, qualify for preferential treatment, meet market requirements or identify new opportunities across Africa.”
Ms. Patty Karuihe-Martin, speaking on behalf of Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) CEO Mr. Titus Nampala, noted that regional trade is not a future aspiration for Namibia, but an existing reality. The country’s strong trade ties with South Africa, Botswana and Zambia provide a solid foundation for leveraging the AfCFTA to deepen regional integration and expand market opportunities across the continent.
Maria Immanuel, the consultant who developed the Guide, presented its key features and demonstrated its practical application using the example of a Namibian peanut butter manufacturer, taking participants through the steps and requirements for exporting under the AfCFTA.
Mr. Rodney Hoaeb, CEO of the Namibia Trade Forum, outlined Namibia’s progress in translating its AfCFTA commitments into action, including implementation of the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy.
A representative of the Meat Corporation of Namibia shared the company’s first-hand experience of trading under the AfCFTA, noting that it had already completed three shipments to African markets under the Agreement, including Kenya. The experience demonstrated the tangible value of AfCFTA preferences, as Namibian products can now enter the Kenyan market at preferential tariff rates that were not available prior to the Agreement.
On the next steps, Mr. Batanai Chikwene, speaking on behalf of ECA stated that the priority will be to disseminate the Guide widely across Namibia’s private sector and use it as a practical capacity-building tool to strengthen businesses’ ability to trade under the AfCFTA. ECA committed to continue working with the Government of Namibia, business associations and the private sector to support effective AfCFTA implementation and expand regional and continental trade.
In her closing remarks, Zodwa Mabuza, Regional Advisor on Trade and Regional Integration at ECA SRO-SA, emphasized that the launch marked the beginning of efforts to take the Guide to Namibia’s private sector. She stressed that its success would be measured by how effectively businesses, particularly MSMEs and women- and youth-owned enterprises, use it to access new African markets and expand trade. She urged stakeholders to keep the Guide current and use it to translate trade information into tangible outcomes: transactions, exports, enterprises and jobs.
In closing, Ms. Wilma Naukushu-Guedegbe, on behalf of the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, emphasized that the Guide’s value would be determined by its use in helping Namibian businesses access AfCFTA market opportunities and expand regional and continental trade. She thanked ECA and other partners for their collaboration in developing the Guide and advancing Namibia’s AfCFTA implementation.
Issued by:
The Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa
UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
P.O. Box 30647, Lusaka, Zambia.
Contact for more information
Lavender Degre
Communication Officer
Contact: Lavender.degre@un.org
Tel: (260)966797779
