The minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, says Africa continues to lag in development because it exports its wealth in the form of raw materials, while importing poverty.
Speaking during a joint ministerial engagement at Rundu on Friday, hosted by her ministry alongside the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy with members of the business community, Ashipala-Musavyi urged a shift in approach.
“Our continental leaders and current leadership have noted with concern that Africa is falling behind. When we export our timber, neglect our agricultural products, or overlook the innovative potential of our young people, we create opportunities for others to benefit from what should be ours,” she said.
The minister stressed the importance of moving away from exporting raw materials and instead focusing on value addition within the continent.
“It’s high time we start thinking in terms of regional value chains, not just within the Southern African Development Community, but across the entire African continent,” she added.
Ashipala-Musavyi also noted that during recent regional visits, including to Zambezi and Kavango West, issues around agriculture and market access consistently surfaced as key concerns.
“This shows that our people are eager to produce, but they face significant challenges that limit both their potential and that of their regions’ competitive advantages,” she said.
The regional outreach comes on the heels of a significant milestone for Namibia, which recently completed its first official export under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to the minister, this achievement marks a crucial step forward and should serve both as a symbol and a catalyst for deeper national participation in the AfCFTA framework. – Nampa
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