Minister Ashipala-Musavyi Engages Gobabis Businesses on AfCFTA Opportunities

Minister Ashipala-Musavyi Engages Gobabis Businesses on AfCFTA OOpportunities. Honourable Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Trade, visited Gobabis on 8 September 2025 to strengthen dialogue with the local business community and highlight opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The business engagement was jointly organised by the Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) and the Ministry of Industries, Mines, and Energy (MIME). The session aimed to bring government closer to entrepreneurs, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to explore how Namibia can expand its trade footprint and strengthen economic resilience.

In her address, Minister Ashipala-Musavyi emphasised the strategic role of Omaheke, a region known for cattle farming and trophy hunting, in diversifying Namibia’s economic base. She encouraged stakeholders to focus on agriculture, agro-processing, and value addition as sectors with immediate potential for investment and growth.

Highlighting Namibia’s broader trade strategy, she noted the creation of key ministries as instrumental in enhancing regional market access, attracting investment, and advancing economic diplomacy. She further called on entrepreneurs to take advantage of AfCFTA by identifying opportunities to establish manufacturing facilities, strengthen regional value chains, and improve food self-sufficiency.

The Minister underscored Namibia’s extensive diplomatic network, with 34 embassies worldwide, as a valuable resource for businesses seeking international partnerships. She urged entrepreneurs to utilise available support systems for investment facilitation and trade promotion.

Ashipala-Musavyi concluded by stressing the importance of collaboration between government, businesses, and regional partners to build a conducive environment for sustainable growth. She reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to positioning itself as a gateway for regional trade and investment.

The Gobabis engagement marks a key step in promoting inclusive development and advancing Namibia’s integration into the continental trade framework.