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Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

African Continental Free Trade Area

Also known as: African Continental Free Trade Area agreement · AfCFTA

Continental trade framework aimed at enabling intra-African trade and regional market integration, featuring prominently in Namibian economic policy discussions.

2022-09-162026-06-08
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. February 2026

  2. New Era

    African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was signed by Namibia in July 2018

    Source

    “When Namibia signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement in July 2018, ratified it in January 2019, and deposited its instruments with the African Union Commission shortly thereafter, it signalled more than compliance with a continental ambition.”

    Business Editorial – Preferential access to Africa’s free trade not a strategy

  3. New Era

    African Continental Free Trade Area is a conducive forum for Namibian enterprises to access opportunities in regional markets

    Source

    “The ministry reiterated that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a conducive forum for Namibian enterprises to access and benefit from opportunities in regional markets.”

    Govt not arbiter of AfCFTA goods, services

  4. The Namibian

    African Continental Free Trade Area offers new opportunities for mineral-based industrialisation and cross-border value chains

    Source

    “The African Continental Free Trade Area offers new opportunities for mineral-based industrialisation, cross-border value chains and access to a market of over 1.4 billion people.”

    Statement by Nangula Frieda Ithete, high commissioner of Namibia to South Africa, at Namibia showcase at Africa Mining Indaba 2026

  5. New Era

    AfCFTA is positioned to fulfil role of identifying alternative markets to address unemployment

    Source

    “"Addressing challenges such as youth unemployment and inequality requires the identification of alternative markets, a role that the AfCFTA is well positioned to fulfil," Gatete stated.”

    Nam roads, port boost AfCFTA potential: ECA
  6. January 2026

  7. The Namibian

    African Continental Free Trade Area establishes a framework for creating a unified market across Africa

    Source

    “The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement establishes a framework for creating a unified market across Africa, enabling the free movement of goods, services, people and capital.”

    Make Continental Collaboration a Reality
  8. November 2025

  9. The Namibian

    African Continental Free Trade Area is emphasized as critical for African regional integration and improved infrastructure

    Source

    “We emphasise the importance of strengthening the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and fostering intra-African trade.”

    Intervention by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the G20 Leaders Summit
  10. August 2025

  11. The Namibian

    African Continental Free Trade Area has been signed by 54 countries, making it the world's largest free-trade area by membership

    Source

    “In effect since 2021, the AfCFTA has been signed by 54 countries, making it the world's largest free-trade area by membership.”

    North Africa Must Look South for Trade

  12. The Namibian

    African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was launched in 2018 with ambition to eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods

    Source

    “The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was launched in 2018 with great ambition: To eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods, harmonise regulations, and allow the free movement of people and capital across Africa.”

    When Old-School Diplomacy Delays Progress, Trade
  13. July 2025

  14. The Namibian

    African Continental Free Trade Area is being aggressively championed by Kenya for regional economic integration

    Source

    “Kenya is also aggressively championing regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area.”

    Why Namibia Urgently Needs an Embassy in Nairobi
  15. September 2022

  16. The Namibian

    the African Continental Free Trade Area could help reduce Africa's dependency on food and fuel imports

    Source

    “But fully implementing initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could help reduce Africa's dependency on food and fuel imports.”

    Investing in Africa's Health
Agriculture & Land

President calls for agriculture investment, rural development

The News

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for urgent investment in agriculture, rural development and youth participation in farming, emphasizing that economic transformation depends on modernising agriculture while preserving cultural identity. She said the Omaludi Agricultural Festival demonstrates how agriculture and tourism can work together to create economic opportunities for local communities.

Why it matters

President's call for agriculture investment and rural development underscores the government's economic transformation strategy.

29 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 29 May

  1. President calls for agriculture investment, rural development

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for urgent investment in agriculture, rural development and youth participation in farming, emphasizing that economic transformation depends on modernising agriculture while preserving cultural identity. She said the Omaludi Agricultural Festival demonstrates how agriculture and tourism can work together to create economic opportunities for local communities.

    29 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 27 May

  1. President urges development that preserves Namibia's cultural identity

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the 2026 Omaludi Agricultural Festival that Namibia must pursue development without abandoning its cultural identity, noting that festivals promote agriculture, tourism and local economic growth while preserving traditions. She urged farmers in northern communal areas to transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture through improved infrastructure, financing and market access.

    27 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 25 May

  1. Namibia joins Africa Day calls for continental unity

    Namibia marked Africa Day with renewed calls for continental unity and self-reliance. President Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that African nations face economic disruptions, climate change, disease outbreaks and geopolitical uncertainty, and urged strengthening regional cooperation, intra-African trade, and investment in local institutions.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 22 May

  1. Africa Day calls business to address water and trade needs

    An opinion piece argues that Africa Day should prompt businesses, not just governments, to engage with the continent's development priorities, particularly water security—critical to food, health, and industry—and the African Continental Free Trade Area's goal of intra-African trade.

    22 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Swakopmund to host Africa trade conference and expo

    Swakopmund will host the Africa Economic Leadership Council conference and expo from 28 to 30 May to promote domestic investment and intra-African trade opportunities under the theme 'Unpacking the AfCFTA and Access to Markets'. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and African Continental Free Trade Area secretary general Wamkele Mene are expected as guests of honour, with about 100 exhibitors and 200 delegates anticipated.

    20 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia drops to 94th in global startup rankings

    Namibia has dropped nine places to 94th globally and slipped from 8th to 10th in Africa in the StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, with annual ecosystem growth of 8.2% falling below the global average. The country retained its position as southern Africa's second-ranked startup ecosystem behind South Africa, and Windhoek remains its only city ranked in the world's top 1,000 startup ecosystems.

    20 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 14 May

  1. Vice President Witbooi urges stronger Namibia-Kenya economic ties

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi called for strengthened partnerships between Namibia and Kenya, citing Kenya's strengths in innovation and fintech and Namibia's political stability, natural resources, and infrastructure as complementary assets for industrial growth and regional value chains. She also stressed the need for African economies to trade more internally rather than relying on external markets.

    14 May 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Vice President urges Africa to increase intra-continental trade

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi called for stronger economic cooperation between African countries, saying African economies have traded more with the rest of the world than with one another. She urged businesses and governments to work together to drive industrialisation, innovation and intra-Africa trade, citing the African Continental Free Trade Area as a major opportunity to transform Africa into an integrated market.

    13 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 9 May

  1. African Green Industries Summit planned for Swakopmund in September 2026

    The African Green Industries Summit (AGIS) 2026 will be held 9–10 September in Swakopmund under the theme "Powering African Industries for Sustainable Development," bringing together investors, policymakers, and technology providers to discuss renewable energy, green hydrogen, critical minerals, and sustainable manufacturing.

    9 May 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 8 May

  1. Namibia and Botswana to establish joint national airline

    Namibia and Botswana plan to launch a joint national airline by the end of this year, with Ethiopian Airlines as a strategic partner. The airline aims to create roughly 700 direct jobs and 500 indirect jobs, starting with domestic routes before expanding to regional and international markets.

    8 May 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Namibia set to become southern Africa's cheaper fuel supplier

    Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is building a 2,000km fuel pipeline from Walvis Bay through Botswana to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, with backing from the African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) for a US$3-billion facility. A tank farm at Walvis Bay will enable Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia to obtain fuel from Namibia at a lower cost than current sources.

    29 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 25 April

  1. Africa Economic Leadership Council to host trade expo at Swakopmund

    The Africa Economic Leadership Council will hold a three-day Invest in Africa Trade Expo and business summit in Swakopmund from 28 to 30 May, aiming to connect African entrepreneurs and businesses and unpack opportunities in sectors including oil and gas, natural resources, and minerals beneficiation as part of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.

    25 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Afreximbank offers AfCFTA training for Namibian businesses

    Namibian businesses are being targeted for African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) training through the Africa-Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), which will take place in Egypt in June and is designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in intra-African trade.

    25 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Government plans Hosea Kutako airport expansion including third terminal

    The government has confirmed plans to expand Hosea Kutako International Airport, including construction of a third terminal, as part of efforts to increase capacity and position Namibia as a regional aviation hub. The upgrades will include improving air navigation systems and expanding passenger handling capacity, with the government exploring public-private partnerships to finance the infrastructure.

    22 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Namibia urges Chinese investors to process minerals locally

    International Relations Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has called on Chinese investors to move beyond buying raw materials and instead invest in local industries such as minerals processing, agriculture, and manufacturing to help reduce Namibia's persistent trade deficit and create jobs. The minister noted that Namibia exports minerals including uranium and copper to China while importing manufactured goods, and stressed that adding value to resources locally is critical for closing the trade gap and creating economic benefits.

    15 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. South Africa's $11 billion Afreximbank deal deepens African trade

    South Africa's accession to the African Export-Import Bank as its 54th member brings a $11 billion commitment to transform Africa's trade architecture through mineral processing, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure investment. The move positions the continent to retain value in raw materials and access global trade frameworks rather than exporting unprocessed minerals.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 13 April

  1. African airlines record 21% cargo growth in February 2026

    African airlines are the fastest-growing region in global air cargo, recording 21% year-on-year demand increase in February 2026, with the Africa-Asia route showing particularly strong growth of 61.9%. Despite the momentum, Africa remains a small player at 2.1% of the global market, facing challenges including limited airport infrastructure and high operational costs.

    13 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 9 April

  1. President delivers 2026 state of nation address to Parliament

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered the 2026 state of the nation address on 8 April, outlining government progress on economic growth, human development, environmental sustainability, and governance. The address highlighted achievements including GDP growth projection of 3.1%, 130,000 new jobs registered, major investments in mining and renewable energy, and sectoral initiatives in agriculture, education, health, housing, and sports aligned with the sixth national development plan and Vision 2030.

    9 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Namibia prioritizes economic diplomacy with N$952m to foreign missions

    Namibia is repositioning its foreign policy to compete in a world where economic strength defines global standing, with 69.5% of the International Relations and Trade Ministry's N$1.37 billion budget allocated to foreign missions. Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi warned of emerging "electro state nations" and called for diplomatic missions to act as economic engines protecting national interests amid global instability and competition over critical minerals and technology.

    2 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 26 March

  1. Namibia and Russia open 11th trade cooperation session

    Minister of International Relations Selma Ashipala-Musavyi welcomed Russian officials to Windhoek for the 11th session of the Namibia–Russia intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, highlighting a new business forum and potential joint ventures in agriculture, fertiliser manufacturing, and mining.

    26 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. Namibia launches Walvis Bay corridor secretariat in April

    Namibia will operationalise the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor secretariat on 1 April to strengthen regional trade and improve cross-border transport with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The move includes introducing a user pay principle levy of 90 cents per tonne on cross-border cargo and addressing infrastructure gaps and regulatory harmonisation challenges.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 23 March

  1. Namibia and Botswana plan 'no-stop' border posts

    Presidents Nandi-Ndaitwah and Duma Boko discussed implementing no-stop border posts to facilitate seamless trade and movement of people, aiming to boost intra-Africa trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area. The countries plan to collaborate on trade, tourism, infrastructure, natural resources, and logistics, with Namibia positioning Walvis Bay as a regional gateway.

    23 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 22 March

  1. Botswana's president visits Namibia to boost trade and bilateral ties

    Botswana President Duma Boko visited Namibia to discuss strengthening trade relations and bilateral cooperation with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, including plans for a joint oil refinery and modernizing border crossings to facilitate seamless movement of goods and people.

    22 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 March

  1. Erongo region contributes billions to Namibia's economy

    The Erongo region drives Namibia's economy through mining, fishing, and emerging sectors like renewable energy and oil and gas. Mining contributed N$51.3 billion to GDP in 2024, while fishing generates N$15 billion annually, though the region faces challenges including unemployment of 32% and housing shortages.

    20 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Namibia and Russia strengthen economic ties amid global uncertainty

    At the 11th Namibia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Windhoek, both nations discussed deepening economic cooperation, including proposals for a fertiliser manufacturing plant and expanded collaboration in mining, nuclear energy, and fisheries. Trade between the countries grew 56% in 2025 to reach 18.4 billion rubles, though officials said this remains below its full potential.

    17 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia-Russia forum explores fertiliser plant and cooperation areas

    The Namibia–Russia Business Forum discussed establishing a fertiliser manufacturing plant to support agricultural schemes and reduce food import dependence. The Ministerial Session of the Namibia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission also identified cooperation opportunities in agriculture, sport, education, energy, and other sectors.

    17 March 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 14 March

  1. Namibia's Investment Bill Must Balance Foreign Capital and Local Benefit

    As Namibia finalises its investment promotion and facilitation bill in 2026, the government faces a balancing act: attracting global investors while ensuring meaningful economic participation for Namibians. The new law should use performance-based incentives to encourage value creation and job growth in strategic sectors like critical minerals and renewable energy, while maintaining policy clarity and ease of doing business to sustain investor confidence.

    14 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Namibia and Ghana urged to deepen trade cooperation

    Namibia's minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi called for closer African collaboration at Ghana's 69th independence anniversary celebrations in Windhoek, emphasizing the importance of expanding economic cooperation through the African Continental Free Trade Area to unlock the continent's potential.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Standard Bank supports women entrepreneurs through Blue Growth Series

    According to Standard Bank's Head of Business and Commercial Banking, the bank's Blue Growth Series training programme has helped nearly 350 women entrepreneurs in Namibia formalise their businesses, gain financial literacy, and access market networks. The initiative responds to global data showing women start half of new businesses but face barriers in financing and market access, with women in Africa receiving significantly less venture capital than men.

    11 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Kazungula Bridge speeds cargo transit across Zambezi River

    The US$259 million Kazungula Bridge, completed in 2021 with Japanese support, has dramatically reduced crossing times between Botswana and Zambia by replacing a slow ferry with a fast road-and-rail link, easing cargo movement along the North-South Corridor trade route and boosting efficiency across the SADC region.

    11 March 2026 · The Namibian →

African Continental Free Trade Area — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute