WINDHOEK, Aug. 8 — Namibia is expanding engagement to operationalize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and rolling out a nationwide campaign to identify local production strengths and prepare businesses for cross-border trade.
The engagement seeks to ensure that all 14 regions are equipped to participate in intra-African trade and benefit from the AfCFTA framework, Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi told an event in Rundu, Kavango East Region. “Each region has unique economic strengths.
The goal is to harness these strengths to create jobs, add value locally, and promote inclusive growth,” she said. Namibia ratified the AfCFTA and commenced trading under the agreement on June 30.
The framework aims to remove trade barriers and enhance economic integration across the continent. Ashipala-Musavyi said regions like Kavango East, with strong agricultural potential, should position themselves to take advantage of broader African markets.
The government is finalizing legislation to establish a tariff management body aimed at protecting domestic industries from unfair competition, the minister said.
She emphasised the need for youth empowerment, skills development, and stronger partnerships between established businesses and young entrepreneurs while also encouraging local businesses to improve product standards, certification, and packaging to meet export requirements.
“The more finished goods we export, the more jobs we create at home,” Ashipala-Musavyi said, calling for increased efforts to process natural resources locally. (Xinhua)
