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Chamwe Kaira Namibia exported goods worth N$5.1 billion to African countries in July, the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) said in its International Merchandise Trade Bulletin.  Imports from the continent stood at N$6.1 billion, leaving a trade deficit of N$1 billion. The NSA said intra-Africa exports made up 40.7% of Namibia’s total exports, while imports from Africa accounted for 48.7% of total imports.  Most exports went to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique. Imports mainly came from South Africa, Zambia, the DRC, Nigeria, and Morocco. Namibia’s overall trade balance in July was a deficit of N$58 million. This was weaker than the surplus of N$856 million in June but better than the N$2 billion deficit in July last year. South Africa remained the country’s main trading partner for both exports and imports. Exports were dominated by minerals such as uranium, diamonds, non-monetary gold, and copper. Fish was the only non-mineral product among the top five exports. Re-exports rose by 9% compared to June and by 2.5% year-on-year. “The re-exports basket primarily comprised of ‘copper and articles of copper’, precious stones (diamonds), ‘ores and concentrates of base metals’, petroleum oils and rubber tyres. On the other hand, the import basket mainly comprised petroleum oils, motor vehicles (for commercial purposes), mechanical handling equipment, motor vehicles for the transportation of persons, and ‘civil engineering and contractor’s equipment’, said NSA statistician general Alex Shimuafeni. Food trade recorded a surplus of N$834 million, making Namibia a net exporter of food items. However, the country recorded a deficit of N$178 million on beverages. Blankets were highlighted as the commodity of the month. Namibia imported blankets worth N$8.1 million, mainly from South Africa, China, and Pakistan while exports amounted to N$398 104, mostly re-exports to Angola. Caption Fish is one of the products that Namibia exports to African markets.  * Photo: Contributed

Allexer Namundjembo  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged businesses at the 24th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) to innovate, collaborate, and use the platform to expand into continental markets. Speaking at the official opening under the theme “Innovate – Connect – Prosper”, she also encouraged entrepreneurs, SMEs, and town councils to showcase products and build partnerships.  “I encourage all participants to use this platform to engage, collaborate, and forge partnerships that foster shared prosperity,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah described the trade fair as a vital platform for enterprise development, policy dialogue, and investment opportunities.  “Trade fairs are opportunities for business people to learn from one another, understand the demands of the market, and make a meaningful contribution to the economic development of the country,” she said. She called on Namibian businesses to embrace cross-border partnerships through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and seize opportunities such as the Intra-African Trade Fair in Algeria.  “I implore the Namibian business community to leverage the Intra-African Trade Fair. The ideas that will come out of these engagements must translate into tangible results for shared development,” she said. She also highlighted the need to prepare for emerging industries such as oil, gas, and critical minerals by investing in training and innovation.  “We must start now to develop the necessary skills for these industries. Financial institutions, training centres and innovation hubs must scale up programmes that give young people access to finance, mentoring and training,” she said. She noted that aviation and digital sectors are represented at the fair for the first time and urged entrepreneurs to embrace digital innovation and local value addition. Deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangwe Iithete supported her message.  “Trade fairs expose, promote, and connect value-added products with markets, partners, and investors. They build confidence in Namibian goods, thereby creating demand at home and abroad,” he said. This year’s OATF has attracted 450 exhibitors, including 26 international participants. The programme includes business-to-business matchmaking sessions, sectoral exhibitions, and knowledge exchange to strengthen enterprise development and continental trade.