Allexer Namundjebo
Senior trade officials from Commonwealth countries are meeting in Windhoek for the Second Senior Trade Officials Meeting (STOM II).
This is the first time the event has been held in Africa and within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
The two-day meeting builds on earlier discussions to shape collective strategies for global trade, ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting and the 2026 WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon.
Ruth Kattumuri, senior director at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Economic, Digital, Trade and Investment directorate, said the Commonwealth must present a united voice as global trade tensions grow.
“Trade and investment must be central engines for transformation,” she said. She stressed the need for innovation, resilience, job creation, and environmental care.
Discussions include WTO reform, the responsible development of critical minerals, scaling green trade, and improving cooperation across Commonwealth countries.
Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, executive director at Namibia’s ministry of international relations and trade, welcomed the delegates and spoke about Namibia’s shift from a commodity-based economy to one focused on value addition.
“Hosting this important meeting is a milestone for Namibia and a reflection of our shared Commonwealth values of inclusion, resilience, and mutual growth,” she said.
The Commonwealth is made up of 56 countries from five regions that were former British colonies, representing 2.7 billion people, of whom 60% are under the age of 30.
The group aims to drive inclusive economic growth and support stronger regional and global trade ties.
Talks at the meeting in Windhoek will focus on strengthening the multilateral trading system, lowering trade barriers, promoting innovation, and using the Commonwealth’s trade advantages, including 21% lower bilateral trade costs among member countries.
Other key topics include food and energy security, support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and boosting climate-aligned investment.
“Our collective leadership will be essential in advocating for meaningful progress and development-centred outcomes,” Kattumuri said.
Henry Tunupopo, assistant chief executive officer of the trade relations division in Samoa’s government, thanked Namibia for hosting.
“It’s taken us from the Pacific at least two full days to get here. We are thrilled to be here in your beautiful country,” he said.
Tunupopo said the meeting is a key opportunity to strengthen intra-Commonwealth trade resilience and unlock investment opportunities that support sustainable livelihoods and food security.
