By: David Shoombe
As Namibia advances its ambition to be an industrialised nation by 2030, its trade policy is facing a series of global and domestic challenges.
These challenges are testing the country’s ability to protect markets, sustain economic activities, and strengthen its position in regional and international trade.
The implementation of Namibia’s trade policy is being tested both domestically and at the continental level, particularly in light of potential market disruptions arising from Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) and the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
As Namibia positions itself as a regional hub for energy production, the green economy, and value addition to agricultural products, the country is seeking to maximise trade opportunities and leverage the emerging oil industry to boost GDP.
However, the current Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak is likely to test Namibia’s economic resilience, particularly given the importance of beef exports to the country’s external trade.
With restrictions currently imposed in areas south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (Red Line) to limit the movement of live animals and animal products, Namibia’s export earnings could be significantly affected.
This is particularly important given the European Union’s role as a major market for Namibian beef, reportedly absorbing approximately 81% of Namibia’s beef exports in 2025.
The statistics from the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPB) show that Namibia exported 10,8 million kg of beef to the EU in 2025.
This also indicates that 81% of all Namibian beef exports in 2025 went to the EU.
Total beef exports were down substantially from 22.70 million kg in 2024 to 13.38 million kg in 2025, a 41.1% decline.
Namibia established a trade relationship with the European Union through Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and with the United Kingdom.
Under the EU–SADC EPA, Namibia receives duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for goods originating in Namibia, subject to the agreement’s rules and product requirements.
The requirements include exporters needing to satisfy rules of origin, provide proof of origin, comply with transport requirements, and meet EU product standards.
With the current outbreak in the south of the country in place, 81% of the Namibian beef exports to the EU have temporarily been put on hold.
According to a report from the Namibian Statistics Agency (NSA) on international trade statistics, meat products are the second-largest exported commodities, behind fish, in terms of food items for the month of July 2026 and they account for 18% of exported food items.
Parallel to the animal health challenges at home, the continent is battling ebola.
According to the Ministry of International Relations and Trade’s Executive Director, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, Namibians must prioritise essential travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the situation of ebola virus continues escalating.
“Given the prevailing health and security conditions, particularly outside Kinshasa, the ministry notes that the capacity to provide in-person emergency consular and welfare assistance may be limited,” said Nghipondoka-Robiati.
According to the ministry, health statistics indicate a cumulative total of 7,773 confirmed cases.
DRC is, however, Namibia’s trading partner and the main consumer of Namibian fish on the continent.
Moreover, DRC’s raw materials exports also use Namibian ports.
“With Namibia intensifying continental trade in Nigeria, Kenya, DRC and other parts of Africa, the current restrictions on movement by WHO and Africa CDC pose challenges to Namibia’s long-term trade strategy,” Mathew Indongo, researcher at MI Consultants.
Indongo indicates that once the movement of products and people is restricted, a small economy such as Namibia will suffer, and the gap in trade has to be filled to protect the vulnerable lower class.
