Windhoek:The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) emphasized the importance of preparing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the next phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation. This focus on enterprise readiness was highlighted during the launch of the Namibia Step-by-Step Guide to Trading Goods under AfCFTA in Windhoek.
According to Namibia Press Agency, NCCI first vice-president Patty Karuaihe-Martin underscored the need for Namibian businesses, especially SMEs, to be equipped for competition in the 1.3 billion-person market provided by AfCFTA. She stressed that this preparation involves investment in productivity, innovation, standards compliance, digital trade systems, skills development, and access to finance.
Karuaihe-Martin pointed out that the AfCFTA encompasses 55 African countries with a combined GDP of approximately US$3.4 trillion. She cited World Bank estimates suggesting that full implementation of the agreement could boost Africa's income by nearly US$450 billion. However, she noted that trade agreements alone do not create prosperity, emphasizing the role of businesses in transforming the framework into tangible economic benefits.
Namibia, with a population of just over three million, is described as one of Africa's most trade-oriented economies, with exports comprising nearly half of its GDP. In the 2024/25 financial year, its ports handled substantial cargo volumes, and merchandise exports surpassed US$7 billion. The beef industry was highlighted as a model of trade trust, with significant exports and revenue generation.
Karuaihe-Martin also highlighted the importance of efficient border procedures, trusted standards, compliance, traceability, and market intelligence for successful trade. The newly launched guide aims to simplify the complex continental agreement into a practical tool for businesses, detailing rules of origin, customs procedures, documentation, and market access conditions.
The guide was developed by the Ministry of International Relations and Trade and the NCCI, with technical support from the UN Economic Commission for Africa and financial backing from the Government of Japan. Namibia, having signed the AfCFTA agreement in July 2018 and ratified it in January 2019, shipped its first export consignment to Nigeria under the framework in June 2025.