Justicia Shipena
Minister of trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi called for increased exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
She urged greater participation from SMEs, women, and youth across a wider range of products and services.
She was speaking on Thursday at the ministerial regional business engagement in Swakopmund.
Her remarks come after Namibia made its first official export under the AfCFTA framework last month, sending 45,000 tonnes of salt from Walvis Bay to Nigeria.
She said consultations between businesses and the government will continue.
“These consultations are meant to continue engaging in order to foster a conducive business environment and assist the ministries to formulate and implement policies that have direct impact on the growth and development of local businesses to capitalise on the external markets,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
Addressing value addition in natural resources, she said, “The more finished goods we export, the more jobs we create.”
She questioned what additional jobs can be created in the Erongo region and what sectors have been overlooked.
She said public-private partnerships are built on strong collaboration between business and government, especially in infrastructure, education, and health.
Ashipala-Musavyi added that she is pleased to see businesses enforcing empowerment and inclusion while supporting national transformation goals, including local sourcing.
The ministry of trade, together with the ministry of industry, mines and energy, has begun a national business consultation rollout this week.
The consultations aim to engage the business community, raise awareness, and support effective implementation of the AfCFTA.
Swakopmund deputy mayor Suama Kautondokwa said the ministerial business engagement series is a milestone initiative to strengthen Namibia’s active participation in the AfCFTA.
She said the platform has the potential to unlock growth, deepen regional integration, and create new opportunities for businesses and communities.
Kautondokwa added that Swakopmund remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, attract investment, and advance inclusive economic development.
“I am confident that the conversations and collaborations forged here today will lay the foundation for meaningful progress and prosperity for Namibia and the region,” she said.
This engagement marked the beginning of a series of consultations across all 14 political regions of Namibia.
The next engagement will take place in Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa region.
