Windhoek, Namibia, 5–6 February 2026 (ECA) - The Validation Workshop on the Step-by-Step Guide for Trading in Goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) successfully concluded in Windhoek, marking a significant step in Namibia’s efforts to translate AfCFTA commitments into practical, business-ready tools that support private sector participation in continental trade.
Delivering closing remarks on behalf of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Ms Zodwa Mabuza, Chief of the Subregional Initiatives Section at the ECA Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA), expressed appreciation to the Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) and the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) for their strong collaboration and leadership throughout the process.
Ms Mabuza highlighted that the next phase would focus on sharing the Guide with key national agencies to further ensure accuracy, after which the finalised Guide will be widely disseminated to promote broad access and effective utilisation. She underscored the importance of keeping the Namibia Trade Information Portal regularly updated and linked with other platforms, including the SADC Online Trade, Technology and Investment platform (STIP) and Aetrade Sokokkuu online trading platform, to enhance transparency and ease of access to trade information.
She further noted that the Step-by-Step Guide should be treated as a living tool. While the current Guide focuses on trade in goods, it can be updated over time to reflect other AfCFTA Protocols, including trade in services, in line with the evolving scope of the Agreement.
Closing remarks on behalf of Mr Asser Nashikaku, Director of International Trade and Investment at the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, were delivered by Ms Wilma Naukushu-Guedegbe, Policy Analyst at MIRT. She noted that stakeholder feedback clearly demonstrated that the workshop successfully met its objectives.
Through focused presentations, plenary discussions, and group work, participants collectively reviewed and validated the draft Step-by-Step Guide and the AfCFTA component of the Namibia Trade Portal. Discussions confirmed the accuracy of regulatory and procedural requirements, identified gaps, clarified processes, and ensured that the Guide is practical, user-friendly, and responsive to the needs of its primary users.
The workshop strengthened stakeholders’ shared understanding of the end-to-end trading process under the AfCFTA, enhanced institutional coordination, and increased familiarity with the Trade Information Portal. Importantly, it fostered a strong sense of ownership among stakeholders, which will be critical for the effective use and long-term sustainability of these instruments.
Looking ahead, the next phase will focus on consolidating and refining all inputs, comments, and recommendations generated during the validation process to produce a final, Step-by-Step Guide. MIRT will continue to play a coordinating role, working closely with ECA, NCCI, and all relevant national institutions to ensure the timely finalisation, approval, and dissemination of the Guide.
Once finalised, attention will shift to broad dissemination, targeted capacity-building initiatives, and promoting active utilisation of the Step-by-Step Guide and the Trade Information Portal by the private sector.
In closing, the Ministry reiterated its appreciation to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa for technical support, to the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its partnership in mobilising the private sector, and to all stakeholders for their dedication, professionalism, and constructive engagement throughout the process.
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Ms. Rosalia Uushona
Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT)
Email: ruushona@mirco.gov.na
Ms. Sharon Zaaruka
NCCI Marketing and SME Development Officer
Email: szaaruka@ncci.org.na
Mr. Bedson Nyoni
Senior Information Management Assistant
ECA Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa
Email: nyonib@un.org
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org