The government is moving to tighten protection for Namibian producers against dumped and subsidised imports, with proposed legislation giving a new trade commission powers to investigate foreign goods that threaten local industries and recommend protective measures.
International Relations and Trade Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi tabled the International Trade Management Bill, 2026, in the National Assembly, proposing the establishment of an independent International Trade Management Commission.
The Commission would investigate cases where goods are dumped in Namibia, benefit from foreign subsidies or enter the market in sudden volumes that could harm domestic producers.
It would be empowered to apply or recommend anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures in response.
“The Commission will be empowered to investigate and act on dumping, subsidised imports, and import surges that affect Namibian producers, through anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
The proposed institution would also administer Infant Industry Protection under Article 26 of the Southern African Customs Union Agreement, allowing qualifying emerging industries temporary protection from established competitors.
Ashipala-Musavyi said the protection is intended to give emerging Namibian industries time to increase production capacity, create jobs and become competitive.
The Bill also seeks to give Namibia greater control over its tariff policy by allowing the Commission to investigate and recommend changes to customs duties, rebates and refunds.
The recommendations would be based on economic analysis and Namibia’s obligations under regional and international trade agreements.
Ashipala-Musavyi said the government wants to use the framework to support industrialisation, value addition and employment without imposing unnecessary costs on consumers.
The proposed Commission would also strengthen Namibia’s ability to negotiate and defend its trade interests within SACU, the Southern African Development Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The minister said Namibia has historically relied on regional processes while lacking sufficient domestic capacity to analyse tariff applications and advance its own trade interests.
Under the Bill, trade decisions would be subject to public notice, stakeholder participation and published reasons, with mechanisms for decisions to be reviewed.
“Decisions will follow open, predictable procedures, with public notice, stakeholder participation, published reasons, and provision for review,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
The Commission would also be required to report annually to Parliament and operate under financial management and governance requirements set out in the proposed legislation.
The Bill was developed following consultations with government institutions, the private sector, organised labour and other stakeholders. It was subsequently considered by the Cabinet Committee on Legislation and certified by the Office of the Attorney General before being tabled in Parliament.
