UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Christian Shingiro, says that the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement opens significant opportunities for Namibian products, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), through reduced or zero tariffs.

Speaking at the National AfCFTA Implementation Committee and Private Sector Capacity Building Workshop, Shingiro noted that this agreement will dismantle long-standing trade barriers that Namibian exporters have historically faced.

He further emphasized that the agreement paves the way for industrialization and market expansion into Africa’s $3 trillion liberalized market. Since its signing in 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda, AfCFTA has made remarkable progress with 54 countries signing on, of which 47 have ratified the agreement.

For Namibia to fully benefit from this, Shingiro stressed the need for responsive institutional structures to address evolving economic conditions and ensure the success of all participants.

"The establishment of National AfCFTA Implementation Committees (NICs), mandated by the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in July 2018, is vital. These committees will translate AfCFTA goals into actionable national strategies, and this week's workshop marks a significant milestone in Namibia's journey toward the domestication of the Agreement," he said.

Sikongo Haihambo, Executive Director of the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade, expressed confidence that the workshop would equip participants with the necessary skills to advance the implementation of the AfCFTA and reap its benefits.

"We are grateful for the support from UNDP Namibia, and we also thank the AfCFTA Secretariat for empowering our NIC members and the private sector to fully understand their role in the implementation of this transformative agreement," Haihambo said.

The workshop aims to arm participants with the knowledge needed to successfully implement the agreement, unlocking vast trade potential across Africa.