By Nana Achia Aboagye
SWAKOPMUND, Namibia – Calls for the removal of trade barriers and the free movement of African goods and services dominated discussions at the Invest in Africa 2026 Trade Expo & Business Summit in Swakopmund, with leaders urging faster implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to unlock the continent’s economic potential.
Speakers described the AfCFTA as more than a trade agreement, characterising it as a transformative framework aimed at reshaping Africa’s economic future through expanded market access, stronger regional value chains, and the elimination of barriers to trade.
“The AfCFTA is more than a trade agreement. It is a bold continental commitment to reimagine Africa’s economic destiny,” delegates heard during the summit.
According to projections by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), effective implementation of the AfCFTA could increase intra-African trade by up to 45% by 2045, highlighting its potential to significantly transform the continent’s economic landscape.
Discussions also focused on Namibia’s AfCFTA National Implementation Strategy (2022–2027), which aligns with Vision 2030 and seeks to accelerate economic growth, reduce inequality, and create employment opportunities through increased participation in continental trade.
Delegates stressed that intra-African trade must become “the lifeblood of Africa’s industrialisation”, arguing that stronger regional trade would reduce dependence on external markets, create jobs for young people, and stimulate innovation across borders.
Namibia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agro-processing, manufacturing, and energy partnerships while empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate more actively in regional value chains.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Namibia, Melody Chaurura, warned that persistent obstacles continue to hinder the full realisation of AfCFTA’s benefits.
“Non-tariff barriers, customs inefficiencies and limited access to trade information must be urgently addressed if we are to unlock the full potential of continental trade,” Chaurura said.
Erongo Governor Nathalia Goagoses emphasised that political commitment remains crucial to the success of the agreement.
“The success of AfCFTA depends on coordinated implementation, policy alignment and commitment from all African states,” Goagoses said.
As discussions continue at the summit, the message from delegates remains clear: Africa’s economic transformation will depend on breaking down trade barriers, strengthening regional cooperation, and ensuring the free and efficient movement of goods and services across the continent under the AfCFTA framework.
