Namibian businesses are set to receive practical guidance on how to access trading opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

This follows the launch of a consolidated trade information guide in Windhoek.

Namibia's intra-African exports have grown steadily in the recent years, increasing from approximately N$51 billion in 2022 to around N$54 billion in 2024. 

However, under AfCFTA, Namibia is said to have recorded very limited measurable trade, with an estimated N$13.5 billion in untapped export opportunities within Africa by 2030.

This is because Namibian enterprises face challenges in accessing information on how to trade under the AfCFTA agreement.

Therefore, the launch of the Namibia Step-by-Step Guide to Trading Goods outlines guidelines, procedures and documentation required for enterprises to do business under the AfCFTA framework.

"An opportunity across 1 billion consumers, and we say this a lot: every AFCFTA conversation you have, they will say, "Oh, we have an N$1.4 billion market. " But I think for that to become a reality, it's only when enterprises can identify the markets, understand the requirements, find a buyer and complete the transaction successfully. That is the promise," emphasised Eunice Kamwendo, Director of the UN Economic Commission of Africa.

Patty Karuaihe-Martin, Second Vice-President of the NCCI, argued, "While tariff reductions are important, experience across the world shows that successful trade depends on much more than tariffs. It depends on efficient border procedures."

The Executive Director in the Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT), Jerobeam Shaanika, stressed that the success of AfCFTA will depend not only on the commitment made by the government but equally on the capacity of businesses to convert this commitment into economic activities.

"Do not allow unfamiliarity with the procedure to become a barrier to your ambition. Equip yourself with information, understand the applicable requirement, explore opportunities available under the AfCFTA, and position your enterprises to compete."

The guide is a joint collaboration between MIRT, NCCI and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, with the financial support from the government of Japan.