By: Erastus Andreas
Namibian businesses are being pushed to look beyond the local market for customers as the government seeks to increase exports.
Ministry of International Relations and Trade Executive Director Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati made the remarks at the launch of Namibia’s first Exporters’ Guide in Windhoek on 1 October.
Saying businesses need practical trade information to turn market access into actual commercial activity.
Nghipondoka-Robiati said Namibia’s domestic market of about 3.2 million people makes it necessary for businesses to look beyond the country’s borders and compete in wider markets.
She said sustained economic expansion and business growth depend on Namibia’s ability to integrate local producers into regional and global value chains.
Nghipondoka-Robiati explained that businesses need trade intelligence to turn trade agreements into commercial transactions, while many MSMEs still face difficulties with export procedures, technical standards, documentation, customs regulations, transport logistics and verifying foreign buyers.
“Businesses require clear operational guidance, regulatory compliance capabilities, and accessible support systems,” Nghipondoka-Robiati said.
The 74-page guide was developed by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), with support from MIRT.
It brings export information into one publication and is aimed mainly at first-time exporters and MSMEs, while also providing information for established exporters exploring new markets.
NIPDB Acting Chief Executive Officer Julia Muetudhana said exports remain important to economic growth, job creation, industrial development and foreign exchange earnings.
Muetudhana said Namibia is working towards increasing exports to N$168 billion by 2030, with diversification, value addition, beneficiation and access to new markets forming part of the broader export agenda.
Separate trade statistics from the Namibia Statistics Agency show that Namibia’s merchandise exports reached approximately N$125.7 billion in 2025, an increase of 7.6% from the previous year.
Namibia’s export basket, however, remains concentrated in commodities such as uranium, gold, fish, diamonds and beef.
The guide contains 12 chapters covering export readiness, identifying markets, digital exporting, trade agreements, export planning, documentation, customs procedures, logistics, product testing and certification, export finance, payment methods, pricing and risk management.
It also includes an export readiness checklist, information on Namibia’s trade agreements, the export support ecosystem and selected Namibian embassies and foreign offices that provide assistance to exporters.
The government has set a target of generating N$100 million in export revenues from MSMEs by 2028.
The target forms part of wider efforts to increase participation by smaller businesses in export markets.
NIPDB said information-sharing sessions will follow the launch to help businesses understand the export process.
