Kunene abattoir secures beef export approval

Kunene-based Chakula abattoir has received export approval from the directorate of veterinary services (DVS), paving the way for the company to export Namibian beef products to African markets.”

According to a statement issued by Chakula Investment Group, the abattoir received approval to export frozen beef cuts and other approved meat products to selected African destinations, with its first shipment expected in June.

The export milestone comes nearly three years after the company announced a N$37 million investment into the construction of the privately owned abattoir in the Otjikondo area of the Kunene Region. At the time, the company said the investment was expected to rise to N$42 million and projected annual slaughter capacity of 13 000 large livestock and 24 000 small stock once fully operational. 

The company said the approval follows a 19-month compliance and audit process to align operations with veterinary public health, food safety and export standards.

Founded during the Covid-19 lockdown period, the company said it was established to increase local value addition in Namibia’s livestock sector instead of relying heavily on live animal exports to neighbouring countries, particularly South Africa.

The abattoir currently employs 59 people directly and supports around 60 indirect jobs through farmers, transporters, vendors and other service providers in the meat industry. The company said it currently has the capacity to process about 120 tonnes of meat per month.

Managing director Naka Shimwino described the export approval as both a business and personal milestone.

“What kept us going was willpower. The journey towards securing export approval has not been easy, but we remained committed to the company’s vision,” Shimwino said.

“We have a team that understood what Chakula is building and stood firmly behind our mission. This achievement is about more than meat; it is about black excellence, Namibian ownership, strengthening local agricultural ecosystems, creating employment and empowering fellow Namibians.”

The company said it faced several operational challenges, including limited access to affordable finance, livestock supply constraints, infrastructure limitations and electricity disruptions during the rainy season. It added that it is exploring solar energy as part of its future expansion plans.

Chakula also said entering the livestock value chain as a black-owned enterprise in a historically established industry came with resistance and additional hurdles.

“For the company, export approval is therefore not only a business milestone, but also a statement that Namibian-owned and black-led enterprises can build, comply, compete and create value in sectors where participation has not always been easy,” the statement said.

The company identified Ghana, Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo-Brazzaville among its targeted export destinations.

Shimwino said the company wants communal and emerging farmers to benefit more directly from export-linked markets.

“This certificate gives us access, but access must now become production, jobs and real trade. Our goal is to prove that a Namibian-owned company can compete, can meet export standards, and can help move this country from exporting raw potential to exporting value,” he said.