Renthia Kaimbi
A three-day workshop on the dispute settlement mechanism under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ended in Swakopmund, with organisers saying it will help Namibian businesses handle trade disputes and take part in continental trade.
The workshop was hosted by the Ministry of International Relations and Trade with the AfCFTA Secretariat. It brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers and private sector representatives.
Discussions focused on how the dispute settlement system works in practice.
The mechanism provides a process to resolve trade disputes between member countries through rules and procedures. It is meant to ensure fairness and predictability in cross-border trade.
Organisers said the workshop aimed to give businesses the knowledge to protect their interests and trade with confidence.
The discussions also highlighted challenges faced by businesses. These include understanding trade rules, dealing with regulations and managing disputes linked to cross-border transactions.
Participants were given tools to respond to these challenges and avoid disruptions.
Officials said private sector readiness remains key to making the AfCFTA work.
They said progress will depend on how well businesses use systems such as the dispute mechanism.
The workshop also created a space for engagement between government and industry. Stakeholders were encouraged to take part in AfCFTA processes and help improve trade systems.
The engagement forms part of efforts to strengthen Namibia’s role in continental trade and support businesses to operate with more certainty under the AfCFTA framework.
