The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) marked its 25th anniversary in Windhoek on Friday, highlighting its role in boosting regional trade, logistics and connectivity across the Southern African Development Community region.
Since its founding in 2000, the WBCG has aimed to leverage Namibia’s strategic location to transform it into a logistics hub for the rest of the SADC region.
WBCG board chairperson Andrew Kanime said the corridors now handle almost 2.5 million tonnes of transit cargo.
“The Walvis Bay corridors have been instrumental in connecting landlocked countries in the region to global markets through the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, offering an efficient, safe, reliable and cost-effective trade route. With over two decades of success, WBCG remains committed to positioning Namibia as the preferred trade route and logistics hub for the SADC region, as well as expanding its role in fostering sustainable economic development and regional integration,” WBCG chief executive Hippy Tjivikua said.
Minister of industries, mines and energy Natangue Ithete praised the WBCG for its role in making Namibia the preferred trade partner for the SADC region.
“On behalf of president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, I pledge our continued partnership, support and our resolve to make the next 25 years even more prosperous,” he said.
The government’s commitment to corridor development was further affirmed by minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi.
The event saw several awards granted, including a posthumous award for lifetime achievement of the highest order, which was presented to founding president Sam Nujoma for his visionary leadership in developing Namibia’s transport infrastructure and trade corridors.
WBCG’s former chief executive, Johny Smith, was also awarded a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the growth and development of the Walvis Bay corridors.
