Trade minister rallies businesses to seize AfCFTA opportunities

Namibia must “do things differently” and accelerate economic reforms if it is to fully benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), international relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said last week. Ashipala-Musavyi made the remarks last Thursday during a regional business engagement in Oshakati focused on the challenges and opportunities facing Namibia as it works to implement the AfCFTA and leverage its potential.Addressing business leaders, regional authorities and captains of industry, the minister stressed that the new administration under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has placed economic diplomacy, trade expansion and regional integration at the centre of its development agenda.Ashipala-Musavyi stressed that Namibia cannot continue with a business-as-usual approach while citizens face mounting socio-economic challenges.“Namibia is committed to actively participating in the ongoing negotiations and implementation processes under the AfCFTA framework to maximise benefits for the nation and contribute to regional integration by advocating flexible rules which are necessary to accommodate these varying levels of development and to foster equitable growth,” she said.Equitable participation The Oshana engagement – the second after Erongo, following the launch of Namibia’s AfCFTA trade initiative in Walvis Bay – forms part of nationwide consultations aimed at identifying opportunities for local businesses in regional, continental and global markets.Ashipala-Musavyi highlighted the significant opportunities AfCFTA offers Namibia, including expanded markets for goods and services, greater mobility for business owners increased investment prospects and new frameworks covering digital trade, investment protection and intellectual property rights.These elements, she noted, are essential to achieving national priorities such as Vision 2030 and the 'Growth at Home' industrialisation agenda.To safeguard domestic industries while honouring AfCFTA commitments, Namibia is finalising the establishment of a tariff management body, with enabling legislation expected to be tabled in parliament soon.The minister noted that flexible trade rules remain essential to ensure equitable participation among African states with varying levels of development.Ashipala-Musavyi also commended Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge for his presence and for his “unwavering support” to business owners in the region. She described Oshakati, Ongwediva and Ondangwa as a fast-growing urban corridor that hosts the majority of northern businesses and forms the country’s second-largest population centre after Windhoek.

Trade minister rallies businesses to seize AfCFTA opportunities

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-09

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Trade minister rallies businesses to seize AfCFTA opportunities

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-09

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