Also known as: African Continental Free Trade Area agreement · AfCFTA
A continental trade framework under which Namibia has issued nine certificates of origin and seeks to expand beef exports and regional market access.
News reports
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Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
the African Continental Free Trade Area could help reduce Africa's dependency on food and fuel imports
“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 HealthAt the Angola-Namibia Business Forum in Luanda, President Nandi-Ndaitwah urged businesses from both countries to invest jointly in industries and process natural resources locally rather than exporting unprocessed commodities, citing complementary economic strengths in agriculture, mining, fishing, oil and gas, and energy.
21 October 2026 · New Era →
At the Angola-Namibia Business Forum in Luanda, President Nandi-Ndaitwah urged businesses from both countries to invest jointly in industries and process natural resources locally rather than exporting unprocessed commodities, citing complementary economic strengths in agriculture, mining, fishing, oil and gas, and energy.
21 October 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed Angola's National Assembly in Luanda, calling for stronger cooperation between the two countries to advance shared prosperity, while congratulating Angola on 50 years of independence and commending its 2025 African Union chairmanship.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia recorded a N$1.2 billion trade deficit with the rest of Africa in August 2026, with exports of N$6 billion and imports of N$7.2 billion. Southern African countries accounted for 96.9% of Namibian exports to Africa and 97.5% of imports from the continent.
14 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of International Relations and Trade and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board have launched an Exporters' Guide to help local businesses, particularly MSMEs, access regional, continental and international markets by providing practical information on export procedures, regulations, logistics, financing and digital trading platforms. The government aims to increase the share of manufactured goods in total exports from 42% to 60% by 2029, and raise agro-processing's contribution to GDP from 7.5% to 10%.
12 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for Rundu to position itself as a regional economic hub by harnessing technology, expanding into regional markets and driving local value addition. She highlighted Rundu's strategic location as a gateway to SADC markets and noted that improved connectivity networks could strengthen its position as an economic hub.
5 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
African leaders and development partners called for urgent action to turn the United Nations Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024, into measurable results for ordinary Africans. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that Africa seeks fairness and highlighted youth empowerment, financing for development, peace, digital transformation and inclusive growth as key priorities aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063.
24 September 2026 · New Era →
The US Chamber of Commerce said it wants to move beyond discussions with Namibia and pursue actual investments and jobs. The US assistant secretary of energy for international affairs cited Namibia's energy and natural resources, location and infrastructure as attractions for US companies.
23 September 2026 · New Era →
A Kenyan electric bus travelled from Nairobi to meet an Ethiopian electric bus at the Moyale border, demonstrating the practical realities and challenges of cross-border electric mobility in Africa, including issues with charging infrastructure, customs procedures, and the need for government coordination.
21 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade stated that the textile and clothing industry is central to Namibia's industrialisation agenda and "growth at home" strategy, which promotes local production and manufacturing capacity. She highlighted that government institutions and customers should support Namibian enterprises capable of meeting quality standards, and noted that new digital sublimation technology at Dinapama Manufacturing aligns with the sixth National Development Plan's focus on manufacturing and textiles.
15 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti challenged Namibian entrepreneurs to expand beyond the domestic market of three million people and pursue customers in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa using technology. The article's author, while agreeing with the ambition, questions whether Namibia has the foundational business infrastructure—competitive companies, proper capitalization, technological capability, and consistent delivery—necessary for successful regional expansion.
31 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An analysis argues that despite decades of political talk about beneficiation, value addition, and manufacturing, Namibia remains dependent on primary commodities and has failed to assemble scattered industrial activity into a coherent industrial economy, requiring instead a reimagined industrial policy linking resources, finance, energy, trade, procurement, skills and markets.
28 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independent Patriots for Change has questioned how the government will deliver on its promise to create 500,000 jobs, arguing that jobs require business expansion, factory processing, market access for farmers, and operating investments — not speeches and ceremonies alone. The party highlighted concerns including only nine certificates of origin issued under the African Continental Free Trade Area and rail infrastructure failures, citing TransNamib's last recorded train movement in July 2024.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has challenged the government to explain how its economic diplomacy, trade agreements and infrastructure investments will deliver 500,000 jobs promised by President Nandi-Ndaitwah, arguing that jobs require increased business activity and production rather than speeches and memoranda of understanding.
26 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Minister of International Relations called on the Republic of the Congo to increase investment and strengthen economic cooperation, highlighting agricultural and agro-processing value chains, particularly Namibian beef, as key areas for expansion under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
26 August 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for expansion of the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre after 1,872 businesses applied for exhibition space but only 485 could be accommodated at the 25th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair.
23 August 2026 · Informanté →
Southern African Development Community leaders gathered for their 46th Ordinary Summit in eThekwini have prioritised migration management, peace, security, job creation, industrialisation and deeper economic integration. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who assumed the SADC chairship, called for faster implementation of regional development plans, noting that intra-SADC trade accounts for only about one-fifth of the region's total trade and that SADC must process and beneficiate more of its own raw materials rather than exporting them.
17 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Creative Industry Institute Africa, a Namibian non-profit established to map and develop the creative sector, wants Namibia's creative industries treated as a source of businesses, jobs, intellectual property and trade rather than merely as culture. The institute works to connect fragmented parts of the creative economy and strengthen the case for investment and development.
14 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Cabinet has approved the National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy to promote local participation and development in the upstream petroleum sector, focusing on employment creation, local procurement, enterprise development, technology and skills transfer, and increased Namibian ownership and participation.
14 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will attend the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Durban on 17 August 2026, where regional leaders will deliberate on industrialisation, trade, infrastructure, peace and security, and witness the handover of SADC chairpersonship from Emmerson Mnangagwa to Cyril Ramaphosa.
14 August 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will attend the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Durban, South Africa, on 17 August, hosted by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa. The summit will address regional industrialisation, value chains, intra-regional trade, infrastructure connectivity, and peace and security.
14 August 2026 · The Namibian →
A delegation of Ugandan investors led by former foreign affairs minister Henry Okello Oryem met with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to discuss investment opportunities in Namibia, targeting the energy, agriculture, ICT, youth empowerment and security sectors with the aim of creating jobs and strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
11 August 2026 · New Era →
An analysis argues that while African nations invoke the slogan "A Luta Continua" ("The Struggle Continues") at celebrations and rallies, they often treat it as ceremonial rhetoric rather than as a philosophy for building prosperous, just, and self-reliant nations—the deeper meaning Samora Machel intended when he warned that defeating colonialism would be easier than creating lasting institutional and economic strength.
7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia and Botswana have completed a feasibility study for the N$264 billion Trans-Kalahari Railway and are now moving toward implementation. The 1,690-kilometre cross-border rail project linking Botswana's coal fields to Namibia's Walvis Bay port is projected to create 10,000 direct jobs in its first phase—6,000 for Batswana and 4,000 for Namibians.
5 August 2026 · New Era →
The Agriculture Minister said Meatco remained profitable despite droughts and low cattle availability, with throughput south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence declining by 53% to 35,594 cattle. Revenue fell from N$1.865 billion to N$1.108 billion, but the company strengthened its financial position, increased cash reserves, and reduced accumulated losses.
3 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Pan-African Parliament has called on African countries to accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, moving beyond ambition to practical steps. The call followed a report on Ghana's progress, and the committee recommended harmonised trade standards, simplified customs procedures, and stronger support for SMEs, women and youth traders.
30 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare has called for greater investment in youth-led businesses, saying entrepreneurship and support for small enterprises are critical to expanding economic opportunities for young Namibians. He urged financial institutions and established businesses to invest in youth-led enterprises through financing and mentorship.
30 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare urged government, the private sector, and communities to prioritise investment in young people as drivers of Namibia's economic future at the opening of the 16th Eenhana Expo, which is being held from 27 July to 1 August with about 100 local and international exhibitors.
29 July 2026 · Informanté →
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged African countries to strengthen unity, democratic governance and economic cooperation to address armed conflict, climate change, migration challenges and global economic uncertainty. He called on the Pan-African Parliament to uphold democracy and accountability, and identified the African Continental Free Trade Area as key to unlocking the continent's economic potential.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for Namibia and South Africa to move beyond their traditional trade relationship—where Namibia exports raw materials and South Africa supplies finished goods—by investing in industrialisation, value addition and regional manufacturing to create jobs and drive economic growth. She highlighted investment opportunities in agriculture, mining, energy, oil and gas, tourism, fisheries, and green hydrogen.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for Namibia and South Africa to move beyond their current trade pattern, where Namibia exports raw materials and imports finished goods, toward greater industrialisation, value addition and regional manufacturing to create jobs and drive economic growth. She highlighted investment opportunities in agriculture, mining, energy, oil and gas, tourism, fisheries, transport and logistics.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →