Windhoek: Intra-African trade, which currently accounts for 18 percent of Africa's total trade, has the potential to drive Africa and Namibia's economic transformation through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This was highlighted by AfCFTA Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, while delivering the keynote address in Windhoek during the 25th session of the Theo-Ben Gurirab Lecture Series.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the session was hosted by the Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) under the theme: 'Can Intra-African trade enhance Namibia's economy.' Mene emphasized that intra-African trade, facilitated by the AfCFTA, can significantly enhance Africa and, by extension, Namibia's economic transformation. He pointed out that the AfCFTA creates opportunities for diversification and value addition, noting that Namibia is well-positioned to expand into regional manufacturing and value-added industries beyond raw mineral and fisheries exports.
Mene further noted that Namibia possesses an important geographic and logistical advantage, positioning the country to serve as a regional trade and logistics hub linking Southern Africa to continental markets. He stated that achieving economic transformation would depend on Africa's and Namibia's ability to strengthen industrialization, value addition, infrastructure, productive investment, and regional integration.
The secretary-general stressed that expanding intra-Africa trade remains key to the continent's broader industrialization and integration agenda. He remarked that intra-Africa trade has far greater potential to support industrialization, regional value chains, technology transfer, and employment creation. Mene urged Namibian businesses to explore opportunities beyond the traditional markets of the Southern African Customs Union and position themselves more actively within the broader African market.
Also speaking at the event was Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, who stated that as the AfCFTA offers Namibia a chance to strategically position itself as a trade and logistics hub, the country is devoted to operationalizing the AfCTA. The minister further called on Namibians to continue honoring the legacy of the late Theo-Ben Gurirab by fostering informed dialogues on matters concerning the country and the continent.
Namibia officially signed the AfCFTA agreement on 02 July 2018 and deposited its instrument of ratification on 25 January 2019.