Namibia has taken a prominent role at the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 in Algiers, using the platform to promote itself as a strategic hub for intercontinental trade and investment while advocating for deeper economic integration across Africa.
Led by Vice President Lucia Witbooi, the high-level delegation includes key figures such as Presidential Special Advisor Kornelia Shilunga, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade Jenelly Matundu, and Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board CEO Dr. Nangula Uaandja.
Addressing the prestigious Presidential Roundtable, Vice President Lucia Witbooi highlighted Namibia’s position as an early adopter of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). She pointed to the country’s historic first shipment under the agreement—45,000 tonnes of salt exported to Nigeria and Cameroon in June 2025—as a concrete example of its commitment.
The Vice President underscored the critical need for African nations to strengthen regional value chains and coordinate investments in infrastructure and logistics. “We see this as a critical step towards reducing Africa’s dependency on external markets,” she stated, emphasizing the potential for collaboration within Southern Africa in sectors like mining, agriculture, and energy.
She further championed Namibia’s competitive advantages, notably its strategic location and world-class infrastructure, including the Walvis Bay port. This, she said, offers a gateway to a regional market of over 300 million people and positions the country as a crucial logistics and trade partner.
Concluding her remarks, the Vice President hailed the AfCFTA as a “game changer” with the potential to unlock Africa’s industrial capacity, particularly for small businesses and entrepreneurs. She issued a call to action, urging continued efforts to remove non-tariff barriers, harmonize standards, and ensure rules of origin that incentivize manufacturing and value addition within the continent.
Beyond the high-level talks, Namibia’s participation includes a diverse contingent of local businesses, MSMEs, and creative professionals. They are showcasing the nation’s unique products and services through exhibitions and targeted B2B engagements, aiming to secure new trade partnerships and attract investment.
The IATF 2025, organized by Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat, serves as a pivotal platform for accelerating trade and investment across Africa, under the theme “A Gateway to New Opportunities.”