Sinimbo champions regional development through AfCFTA

NKURENKURU, 08 AUG (NAMPA) - Kavango West Governor, Verna Sinimbo, emphasised the importance of translating national economic targets into tangible community benefits during the regional ministerial business engagement series held at the Nkurenkuru Expo Hall on Thursday.
The Ministry of International Relations and Trade and Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy launched the series of nationwide engagements with the business community to facilitate Namibia’s integration into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The engagements are scheduled to take place in the Zambezi, Kavango East and Kavango West Regions from Wednesday until Friday.
Speaking under the theme ‘Driving Namibia’s Economic Prosperity through the African Continental Free Trade Area,’ Sinimbo highlighted the transformative potential of the continental trade agreement for rural regions like Kavango West.
“Trade, investment and industrial development cannot be abstract national targets, they must translate into tangible changes in the lives of our farmers, our youth, and our communities,” Sinimbo said.
The governor noted that the AfCFTA creates access to one of the world’s largest free trade areas, encompassing over 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP exceeding U.S. Dollar 3.4 trillion.
For Namibia, and regions like Kavango West, this represents a significant opportunity to reshape their position in Africa’s economic landscape.
Despite being considered rural and remote, Sinimbo emphasised that the region possesses substantial agricultural potential, forestry resources, cultural assets, and resilient communities.
She identified key development needs, including investment in value chains, improved transport networks, local processing facilities, and support for small and medium enterprises.
“What we need is investment in value chains, improved transport networks, local processing facilities, and support for small and medium enterprises, so that our farmers, traders, and artisans can move beyond survival and into growth,” she explained.
Sinimbo further commended the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, along with the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, for their visionary approach in bringing these discussions directly to regional communities, describing it as a shift from centralised thinking to inclusive development.
"As governor, I reaffirm our region’s commitment to collaborate with our government, the private sector, and regional partners to harness the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Governor Sinimbo added, emphasising that the Kavango West Region will not be left behind in Namibia’s economic advancement.
(NAMPA)
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