Namibia has developed a step-by-step guide to help businesses trade goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), in a move aimed at turning regional trade policy into practical action for local firms.
Speaking during a workshop held last week, Ministry of International Relations and Trade executive director Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati said the document is intended to close the gap between policy commitments and on-the-ground implementation for Namibian businesses.
“Once validated, the guide will be integrated into the Namibia Trade Information Portal, ensuring Namibian products, from fisheries to energy, can compete effectively across the single African market,” she said.
The initiative comes as Namibia seeks to expand its commercial presence within Africa. By December 2025, Namibia’s exports to African markets had reached N$5.8 billion, underscoring growing trade ties on the continent.
Despite that progress, Nghipondoka-Robiati said businesses still face operational barriers, particularly around border and customs processes. She noted that complex customs procedures remain a hurdle, which has limited the ability of some companies to fully benefit from AfCFTA opportunities.
The guide was developed with support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).
According to Nghipondoka-Robiati, the document is designed to make trade requirements easier to understand for smaller businesses and underrepresented entrepreneurs.
“It provides micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as women and youth-led enterprises with clear directions on rules of origin and documentation,” said Nghipondoka-Robiati.
The AfCFTA is intended to create a single market across Africa by reducing trade barriers and harmonising rules. Namibia’s new guide is expected to help local exporters navigate those requirements more effectively, particularly in sectors such as fisheries and energy, and improve their competitiveness across the continent once the document is formally validated and integrated into the national trade portal.