Allexer Namundjebo
The first-ever Commonwealth Business Summit opened this week in Windhoek, drawing government officials, trade ministers, investors, and business leaders to discuss ways to strengthen trade and investment across the Commonwealth.
The summit runs alongside the 2025 Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting, marking the first time the ministerial gathering is held outside the United Kingdom.
Commonwealth secretary general Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, delivering the keynote address, said the Commonwealth bloc holds a unique position in global trade.
“We have a market of 2.7 billion people, shared legal systems, and a 21% cost saving on intra-Commonwealth trade,” she said.
Botchwey urged for trade policies that include small and medium enterprises, women, and youth.
“Trade must work for all, not just for large companies in major markets,” she said.
She also stressed the need to prioritise digital trade infrastructure.
“Paperless systems, e-commerce platforms, and data-driven supply chains are no longer optional; they are essential,” Botchwey said.
Opening the summit on behalf of Namibia, minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi welcomed delegates and acknowledged the significance of the event.
“Today, we are making history together by attending this inaugural Commonwealth Business Summit, being held outside London for the first time,” she said.
Ashipala-Musavyi said the summit aligns with Namibia’s development priorities, especially around investment promotion and strengthening value chains.
“Our common goal is building resilience through unlocking investment opportunities, strengthening partnerships, and charting a more inclusive path for trade,” she said.
She encouraged delegates to explore investment opportunities in Namibia’s energy, logistics, agriculture, and digital innovation sectors.
The minister also acknowledged the presence of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat and its role in driving regional integration.
“Africa must increase intra-African trade and attract investment into the continent,” she said.
Botchwey and Ashipala-Musavyi both emphasised the need for Commonwealth countries to work together on practical trade solutions focused on innovation and economic inclusion.
The summit included sessions on digital trade, SME financing, and building climate-resilient value chains. These topics support the Commonwealth’s broader goal of increasing intra-Commonwealth trade to US$2 trillion by 2030.
The three-day summit concludes today and marks a milestone as the first Commonwealth Business Summit held on African soil.
