Erongo businesses urged to diversify beyond mining in export push
Local economic diversification took centre stage on Wednesday as Namibia’s trade ministry launched its first regional business consultation in Swakopmund, urging Erongo businesses to move beyond the region’s traditional reliance on mining, tourism and fisheries.
“What else can Erongo optimise and export?” trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi asked delegates.
“What can we do differently? That is what ‘business unusual’ is all about.”
The engagement, jointly hosted with the industries, mines and energy ministry, forms part of a national consultation series aimed at preparing Namibian enterprises to capitalise on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Swakopmund session marked the first in a planned rollout across all 14 regions.
Ashipala-Musavyi stressed that the consultations are not starting from scratch but form part of ongoing efforts to build a more export-orientated economy grounded in local strengths.
She highlighted the private sector’s role in driving innovation, job creation and policy development, particularly through platforms such as the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).
“Public-private partnerships are anchored in the strong collaboration between business and government,” she said. “We cooperate on infrastructure, education and health initiatives, and government continues to invest in roads, energy and ICT – all essential for business operations.”
Competitive force
Ashipala-Musavyi said government recognises the need to create market access for goods and services, while supporting industrialisation and boosting production capacity. She highlighted local sourcing, youth empowerment and natural resource beneficiation as priority areas.
With the merged portfolios of trade and international relations, she said the aim is to “weave trade and foreign relations together in a way that benefits our people and positions Namibia as a competitive force.”
Ashipala-Musavyi said a critical objective is to enhance small and medium enterprise participation in AfCFTA trade and to identify overlooked sectors with export potential.
The consultations come just two weeks after Namibia marked its first official AfCFTA export – a shipment of 45 000 tonnes of salt from Walvis Bay to Nigeria – signalling the beginning of real trade under the continental agreement and highlighting the urgency of preparing more local sectors to follow suit.
“What else can Erongo optimise and export?” trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi asked delegates.
“What can we do differently? That is what ‘business unusual’ is all about.”
The engagement, jointly hosted with the industries, mines and energy ministry, forms part of a national consultation series aimed at preparing Namibian enterprises to capitalise on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Swakopmund session marked the first in a planned rollout across all 14 regions.
Ashipala-Musavyi stressed that the consultations are not starting from scratch but form part of ongoing efforts to build a more export-orientated economy grounded in local strengths.
She highlighted the private sector’s role in driving innovation, job creation and policy development, particularly through platforms such as the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).
“Public-private partnerships are anchored in the strong collaboration between business and government,” she said. “We cooperate on infrastructure, education and health initiatives, and government continues to invest in roads, energy and ICT – all essential for business operations.”
Competitive force
Ashipala-Musavyi said government recognises the need to create market access for goods and services, while supporting industrialisation and boosting production capacity. She highlighted local sourcing, youth empowerment and natural resource beneficiation as priority areas.
With the merged portfolios of trade and international relations, she said the aim is to “weave trade and foreign relations together in a way that benefits our people and positions Namibia as a competitive force.”
Ashipala-Musavyi said a critical objective is to enhance small and medium enterprise participation in AfCFTA trade and to identify overlooked sectors with export potential.
The consultations come just two weeks after Namibia marked its first official AfCFTA export – a shipment of 45 000 tonnes of salt from Walvis Bay to Nigeria – signalling the beginning of real trade under the continental agreement and highlighting the urgency of preparing more local sectors to follow suit.
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