Zero tariffs won’t solve Namibia’s export hurdles

Removing import tariffs does not guarantee that Namibian products will enter the Chinese market, as exporters must still meet China’s requirements for quality, packaging, food safety and documentation. Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board acting chief executive Julia Muetudhana says businesses must also supply products consistently and deliver them on time. “However, tariff-free access must be matched by overcoming non-tariff barriers,” she says. Muetudhana made the remarks on behalf of international relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi at the China-Africa Cooperation Symposium in Windhoek yesterday. From 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2028, China is allowing products from 20 more African countries, including Namibia, to enter its market without import tariffs.

Muetudhana said Namibia wants to expand exports beyond agricultural products to include processed food, meat and fish. “We must extend this success to processed food, meat, fisheries, to benefit value chains across our economy,” she said. She said Namibia also wants Chinese investment in manufacturing, mineral processing and skills development. “We welcome joint ventures in manufacturing, agro-processing, green energy, and mineral beneficiation that build local capacity and transfer of skills,” she said. Economic Association of Namibia chairperson Jason Kasuto says Namibia lacks enough businesses with the production capacity, certification, financing and transport systems needed to compete in China. “So if we treat these instruments as diplomatic milestones to be welcomed and then filed somewhere, the trade figures will barely move,” he says. Kasuto says Namibia must also negotiate mining agreements that support local processing, skills development and Namibian ownership instead of relying…