Namibia on Monday 30th of June, officially launched its first export consignment under the African Continental Free Trade Area at Walvis Bay, marking a historic milestone in the country’s trade and economic integration journey. The launch signifies Namibia’s formal entry into trade under the AfCFTA framework, a flagship African Union initiative designed to create a single continental market for goods and services, enhance competitiveness, and foster economic growth across Africa.
The event was officiated by Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala Musavyi, who emphasized the significance of this step for Namibia’s future in regional trade. In a symbolic nod to Africa’s trading past and its interconnected future, the first consignment is a shipment of 45 000 tonnes of salt destined for Nigeria. Salt, once a key commodity in ancient trans-African trade routes, now ushers Namibia into a new era of continental commerce.
The AfCFTA, which includes a market of over 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of about US$3.4 trillion, presents vast opportunities for Namibian producers and exporters. It promises reduced tariffs, simplified trade policies, and increased access to diverse African markets, all of which are expected to contribute to job creation, industrial development, and broader economic diversification.
Namibia has demonstrated strong commitment to the AfCFTA process. The country signed the agreement on 2 July 2018, ratified it in January 2019, and deposited its instrument of ratification in February 2019. By gazetting its tariff offer in December 2024, Namibia positioned itself for full participation in continental trade.
The AfCFTA is more than a trade deal. It is expected to catalyze the development of infrastructure such as roads and ports and introduce policies that ease the movement of goods, services, people, and capital across Africa. In the long term, it will also promote African expertise in areas like intellectual property rights, investment, competition, and e-commerce.
As Namibia embarks on this transformative journey, the first shipment from Walvis Bay is both a practical and symbolic leap forward one that connects the country’s economic aspirations with the continent’s shared vision of prosperity and unity.
