Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Vice President, Lucia Witbooi, has reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to working with other African nations to sustainably manage natural resources, strengthen regional value chains, and leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a catalyst for shared prosperity.
“Namibia stands ready to work with the entire continent to ensure that our natural resources are managed sustainably, our regional value chains are strengthened, and the African Continental Free Trade Area becomes a vehicle for shared prosperity. But for Africa to truly harness the full potential of this agreement, we must go beyond trading raw materials. The future we envision is one where our raw materials will be processed in our factories, create African jobs, and generate African wealth. Together, we can transform Africa into a globally competitive industrial hub that delivers inclusive growth and development for all its people,” Witbooi said.
AFRICA UNITES: Scenes from the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algeria. Photos: Vice President of Namibia.
Witbooi made these remarks at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algeria, during a Presidential Roundtable themed “Establishing Africa as an Economic Powerhouse Under the AfCFTA.” The event was organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
She noted that the IATF is timely, taking place as African countries intensify efforts to industrialise, increase intra-African trade, and take ownership of the continent’s development path.
The Vice President underscored the importance of strengthening regional value chains as a key step in reducing Africa’s dependence on external markets, noting that Southern Africa, in particular, has the potential to build strong value chains in sectors such as mining, agriculture, and energy.
“This will require coordinated investment in infrastructure, logistics, and trade facilitation. Namibia, through the Walvis Bay port and its transport corridors, offers a strategic gateway for regional trade, and we are committed to advancing partnerships that enhance connectivity and unlock value across borders,” she added.
Describing the AfCFTA as a game-changer, Witbooi said the single African market offers significant opportunities, especially for small and medium enterprises, women-led businesses, and youth entrepreneurs. She emphasised the need to eliminate non-tariff barriers, harmonise standards, and ensure that rules of origin incentivise manufacturing and value addition within Africa.
“For Namibia, industrialisation through the African Continental Free Trade Area means moving beyond being an exporter of raw materials. It means promoting value addition to our minerals and agricultural products. It also means embracing renewable energy, especially green hydrogen, as a new frontier for sustainable industrialisation that will benefit not only Namibia but the wider region,” Witbooi added.
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