Government eyes more exports to Africa under new trade roadmap

The Ministry of International Relations and Trade has launched a strategic planning workshop to shape a five-year plan to advance trade and investment goals.

The workshop brings together stakeholders to define the ministry’s broader mandate, which now includes both trade and investment. According to Executive Director Penda Naanda, the plan will pay attention to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and explore ways to deepen trade relations with countries across the continent.

“We need to look at how we engage Africa in our trade relations,” Naanda said, pointing to recent exports of beef and beer to Ghana as examples of trade potential with West African countries. He added that Namibia hopes to expand exports of products such as grapes and dates to African markets.

The roadmap will also take into account global trade shifts, including U.S. tariff policies introduced under the Trump administration, as the country adapts to an evolving international trade environment.