Zambezi Hosts AfCFTA Business Drive to Spur Growth

By Kimmie Mikatazo and Mary Mashete

ZAMBEZI Region witnessed the regional business engagement meeting involved government officials, trade experts, and local entrepreneurs on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening Namibia’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through policy dialogue, investment promotion, and capacity building.

The Namibian government has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive economic growth through active regional business engagement, hosting the third leg of its AfCFTA outreach in the Zambezi Region this week.

The event was spearheaded by the Ministry of International Relations and Trade in collaboration with the Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines, and Energy, and facilitated by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).

Local entrepreneurs, government leaders, and trade specialists attended the engagement, which was also live-streamed via a partnership with the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to ensure nationwide access.

Directing proceedings, NIPDB’s Mr. Rino Muranda described the engagement as a platform to directly connect national policymakers with regional business leaders to better align Namibia’s economic priorities with AfCFTA’s continental vision.

 Discussions focused on market access, regional investment readiness, and small business participation in the free trade framework.

Welcoming participants, Hon. Kennedy Simasiku, Councillor of Katima Mulilo Urban Constituency and Member of Parliament in the National Council, urged businesses to collaborate closely with the government to identify barriers and unlock growth opportunities.

Zambezi Regional Governor, Hon. Dorothy Kabula stressed the region’s strategic position as a trade and tourism bridge to Africa, calling on entrepreneurs to leverage its borders with Zambia and Angola for agricultural exports and logistics expansion.

However, Minister of International Relations and Trade, Hon. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi,  highlighted Namibia’s readiness to trade under the AfCFTA, noting that the country ratified the agreement in 2019, and has since developed a national implementation strategy.

She urged Namibians to “be producers, not just consumers,” advocating for local manufacturing, beneficiation of resources, and youth-driven innovation.

Mr. Muranda revealed that Namibia’s project pipeline stands at over N$224 million in potential investments, with agriculture and renewable energy leading. He called on domestic investors to seize these opportunities, emphasizing the private sector’s role in job creation and poverty reduction.

Trade Officer, Mr. Ruchindo from Namibia Revenue Agency (NAMRA) clarified AfCFTA rules of origin and certification requirements, underscoring the importance of value addition for duty-free trade. “We must move from raw exports to value-added goods,” said Mr. Ruchindo.

Mr. Shishinyala from the Ministry of Industrialization, Mines and Energy highlighted government’s support for industrial parks, SME development, and startup funding, stressing the need for effective policy execution to ensure small enterprises contribute more significantly to GDP.

In conclusion, participants agreed that the engagement signaled the start of ongoing dialogue between government and the private sector to position Namibian products competitively in the African marketplace.

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