Traders urged to harness intra-Africa trade

Deputy prime minister Natangue Ithete has urged Namibian traders to use the 2025 Intra-Africa Trade Fair to expand into continental markets.

He was speaking at the official opening of the 24th edition of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair last week.

Highlighting the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to open borders and create large markets, Ithete urged Namibians to use the country’s position as a gateway to Africa to showcase their products.

“Our leather shoes, beef and crafts can find buyers from across our borders. Let us continue to add value to our raw materials, use trade fairs to launch such products and seize the AfCFTA opportunity to expand exports and attract investment,” he said.

Hosted under the theme ‘Innovate, Connect, Prosper’, the trade fair allows entrepreneurs to expose and promote products to a market of over one billion consumers.

“There is power in marketing your products here at trade fairs, because it gives you access to a wide market, including over one billion consumers through the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a thriving local business environment to reduce unemployment and foster sustainable livelihoods.

“We are investing in infrastructure, expanding electrification, opening market opportunities, promoting innovation and self-reliance through the National Youth Development Fund,” Ithete said.

The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair was established in 2000 and has since transformed into a national flagship trade and innovation event.

It serves as an exhibition ground and a hub for enterprise development, policy dialogue and investment opportunities.

During the same event, president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah encouraged local entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises and town councils to take advantage of the trade fair to build connections and explore new markets with Indonesian entrepreneurs.

“This is a call to action and a guiding principle for collective efforts towards a sustainable economy,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the fair contributes to the economic growth, transformation and resilience pillar of the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) on youth employment, local value addition, and digital transformation.

She also said that the fair has attracted 450 exhibitors with 26 being international businesspeople from South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Indonesia and Botswana.

According to her, this number highlights the potential for other trade fairs to attract international exhibitors to promote regional and continental integrations in alignment with AfCFTA.

In addition, 70% of exhibitors are women and 60% are young people.

“I applaud women and young people for their entrepreneurial spirit, courage, creativity and innovation,” the president said.

She urged the public and private sectors, as well as business people to partner with the government to fully implement the AfCFTA, noting it cannot be implemented with challenges such as infrastructure gaps in place.

“Together we must make Namibia the best place for all of us to live in. We are too few to be poor, and with hard work, commitment and integrity, a shared prosperity is within our reach.”

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