Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Iithete has called on Namibian businesses to use the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand exports, naming beef, leather shoes and community crafts as key products.
“In a few days, the Intra-Africa Trade Fair will take place in Algeria and Namibia will participate. The 2025 Intra-Africa Trade Fair place a special focus on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). I am using this opportunity to call upon our traders and innovators to use Namibia’s position as the gateway to Africa and connect with continental market,” he said at the opening of the 24th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) breaks down barriers, opens borders, and creates one of the largest markets in the world. This means that our leather shoes, our beef and beef products or the crafts from our conservancies can find buyers from across our borders,” Iithete said.
“Let us therefore continue to add value to our raw materials, use trade fairs to launch such products and seize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opportunity to expand exports, attract investment, and position our country as a competitive player in Africa’s new era of trade,” he added.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged ministries to work with the private sector to strengthen Namibia’s trade links. “I have directed the Minister of International Relations and Trade, and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy to undertake stakeholder engagements with the business community across the 14 regions. I urge all business people to participate in these regional engagements,” she said.
“Similarly, I implore Namibian business community to leverage the Intra-African Trade Fair scheduled to take place in Algeria as announced by the Deputy Prime Minister,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
