Namibia's unrealised export potential is estimated at about N$13.5 billion within Africa and N$64.4 billion globally by 2030.
These figures reflect a strong demand for resource-linked products aligned with Namibia's existing production and export structure, as well as opportunities to deepen participation in regional value chains.
This is according to Accelerated Industrial Development for Africa and African Continental Free Trade Area Impact Assessment Report for Namibia, launched in Windhoek on Thursday.
The report shows that within Africa, Namibia's untapped export potential is largely concentrated in fisheries and mineral products.
Key opportunities include frozen fish at about N$690 million, rough diamonds at about N$3 billion and uncooked pasta at around N$447 million by 2030.
Other potential export products include beer, live bovine animals, selected processed foods, intermediate goods and textile articles.
Principal Programme Officer of Trade & Markets at AUDA-NEPAD, Mustafa Sakar, said, "Perhaps the most important finding of the assessment is that Namibia's AfCFTA opportunity is not primarily about producing new products but about capturing greater value from sectors where we already possess established capabilities and regional market linkages. 'Our priority now is to build on these strengths through greater value addition, beneficiation, and competitiveness."
Launching the report, the Director General of the National Planning Commission, Dr Kaire Mbuende, noted that the AfCFTA and AIDA frameworks provide Namibia with an opportunity to accelerate economic diversification, deepen regional integration, and strengthen participation in African value chains.
"This assessment offers an evidence-based analysis of Namibia's readiness to take advantage of these opportunities. It examines trade potential, industrial capabilities, and the policy and institutional environment required to support implementation. The findings demonstrate that Namibia has significant opportunities to expand exports, increase value addition, and strengthen industrial development."
Evidence from the assessment indicates that while market-access conditions are improving, realising AfCFTA-related gains will depend on how effectively Namibia strengthens competitiveness, supports value addition and translates existing industrial capacity into sustained regional trade participation.
"Namibia's existing strengths, particularly in resource-based industries and regional trade corridors, provide a solid foundation from which to scale participation in continental markets. The National Planning Commission will integrate the AfCFTA and AIDA objectives into national development planning, strengthen coordination across institutions, and promote evidence-based policy implementation."
Namibia is the first of the five pilot countries to launch its assessment report.