The governments of Namibia and Botswana are determined to increase trade using the Walvis Bay harbour and surrounding infrastructure.

President Nangolo Mbumba and his Batswana counterpart, Mokgweetsi Masisi, visited the Walvis Bay harbour this week.

Deliberate efforts to increase bilateral trade are ongoing, including the long-term lease of the Botswana Dry Port within the harbour.

"Construction of additional warehousing facilities, your excellencies, is needed at the dry port. We are considering constructing another 5,000-square-metre facility here targeting copper from Botswana as well as from other regional markets. As I mentioned, the commodities that we are looking at in terms of opportunities are copper exports from Botswana, beef, small stock from the Tsabong area, and the abattoir that is about to be commissioned," said Derick Mokgatle, the Managing Director for Sea Rail Logistics.

The Namibian Ports Authority has applauded the ongoing initiatives as well as plans to develop the Trans Kalahari railway line that would link the two countries.

Its Chief Executive Director, Andrew Kanime, revealed that there has been significant growth in cargo volumes destined for Botswana since 2022.

"In terms of cargo that we handle specifically here at the port originating from Botswana, vehicles, clothing, spare parts, tyres, and the like, in terms of imported commodities, but in terms of exported commodities, we also specifically handle copper concentrate and also copper and coal; those are the commodities that have especially contributed to the significant growth that we have seen over the past two years." 

Kanime cautioned the two presidents that while the harbour is a state-of-the-art facility, it would be pointless to not have it connect markets.

"A port that is not connected, whether to the local market or to the hinterland, has the potential to become a white elephant. That is why, for us as a port to play our meaningful role in terms of contributing to regional integration, we do need to ensure that especially transportation infrastructure is actually put into place." 

"The whole purpose why we are together, President of Botswana, President of Namibia, and all our ministers, is exactly to make sure that whatever facilities we are having—roads, harbours, airports—to facilitate the economy, we want to use them jointly and to use them to the maximum for the benefit of our citizens of our two countries," said President Mbumba.

On his part, President Masisi said, "I have been here before, and it's a delight to come back. My impressions are, you know, similar to the first time, very impressive, commendable, and explains why we are using this port increasingly. It is our intention to grow our trade using this port."

According to the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, trade between the two countries in 2023 will be valued at N$20 billion.