Niël Terblanché
Namibia has launched a new Coordinated Border Management (CBM) national strategy and Inter-Agency Standard Operations Framework, aimed at enhancing the country’s role as a trade hub for Southern Africa.
The initiative, introduced in Windhoek on Monday, seeks to streamline cross-border trade, improve customs efficiency, and reduce delays at border points and seaports.
Speaking at the launch in Windhoek, Sikongo Haihambo, the executive director of the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade, acknowledged the challenges posed by prolonged clearance times at Namibia’s border points and seaports.
“A cargo takes about 19 days to depart after clearance at Walvis Bay Port. You may agree with me that the time spent is not cost-effective, hence we need to improve our systems and processes to ensure expedited clearance,” he said.
He added that the CBM strategy, developed with technical assistance from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, is designed to eliminate inefficiencies caused by overlapping regulatory procedures among various border agencies.
Haihambo noted Namibia’s progress in trade facilitation, including the establishment of One-Stop Border Posts with Botswana, Zambia, and Angola, and the introduction of the Online Trade Information Portal, which provides traders with access to relevant regulations and requirements.
“Our implementation rate of the Trade Facilitation Agreement measures stood at 85.8% from just 3.16% two years ago. This is a remarkable improvement,” Haihambo said.
He also pointed to the development of trade corridors such as the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor and the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, which have facilitated trade across the region.
While acknowledging the progress made, Haihambo stressed the need for continuous collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and regional partners. “The CBM National Strategy should constantly remind us that we have obligations to fulfil, as provided for by the Trade Facilitation Agreement that we are party to,” he said.
The launch also included the adoption of the Inter-Agency Standard Operations Framework, which seeks to foster stronger cooperation between customs, immigration, security, and health agencies operating at Namibia’s border points. “We are called to foster cooperation and coordination among all border stakeholders to ensure that lawful trade is facilitated and that the turnaround clearance time is minimised,” Haihambo said.
The SADC Senior Programme Officer for Customs, representing the regional secretariat, Alcides Monteiro gave an outline of the broader implications of Namibia’s adoption of the CBM strategy.
“The implementation of this instrument will help expedite the movement of goods across borders, reduce transaction costs, and increase the country’s level of trade competitiveness,” he said.
He added that a coordinated approach would enhance predictability in trade processes and improve security at border posts.
According to Monteirogave, the CBM strategy is part of the SADC Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) and aligns with the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement. By integrating a risk-based approach, Namibia aims to ensure security and compliance while minimising delays and administrative burdens for businesses.
He also said that Namibia’s inclusion in regional and global trade facilitation agreements such as those of SADC, the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the WTO reflects the country’s commitment to economic integration and competitiveness.
According to Monteirogave, the strategy is expected to benefit not only Namibia but the entire SADC region, particularly as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) moves toward full implementation.
He reiterated that Namibia’s reforms would contribute to greater regional trade efficiency, reducing duplication of efforts and improving overall border management.
“At the end of the day, Namibia wins, and the SADC also wins,” he said.
