NIPDB launches guide to help Namibian businesses enter export markets

By: Anton Wokie Mbinge

The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) officially launched the Namibia Exporters’ Guide on Thursday, providing businesses with guidance on export readiness, market selection, regulatory requirements, logistics, documentation, and trade finance.

The guide aims to help local businesses, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), overcome the challenges of entering regional and international markets.

According to NIPDB, the guide is intended to strengthen the export capacity of local enterprises and help them turn market access opportunities into actual exports.

Speaking at the launch, the Trade Ministry’s Executive Director, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, described the first edition as a practical tool to equip Namibian enterprises and MSMEs with the knowledge needed to expand into international markets.

“Exports remain a vital driver of national prosperity, serving as an important engine for job creation, industrial capacity building, foreign exchange earnings, and overall economic resilience,” she said.

The guide covers five key areas: export readiness, market selection and entry, regulatory compliance and standards, logistics and documentation, and trade finance and risk mitigation.

Meanwhile, NIPDB Acting Chief Executive Officer Julia Muetudhana said Namibia is targeting an increase in total exports to N$168 billion by 2030.

Data by the Namibia Statistics Agency revealed that Namibia’s merchandise exports reached approximately N$125.7 billion in 2025, up 7.6% from the previous year.

However, the country’s export earnings remain heavily concentrated in commodities such as uranium, gold, diamonds and fish.

While Namibian businesses already have access to markets through arrangements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, SADC, SACU and the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement, officials acknowledge that market access alone does not guarantee successful exports.