Namibia’s First Female President Keen to Chart New Economic Course

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With U.S. tariffs threatening traditional export routes, Namibia’s strategy aims to reduce dependency on external markets and enhance intra-African trade. The leadership’s bold approach could serve as a model for other nations seeking economic resilience

Amid global economic uncertainty, Namibia’s newly elected president is introducing wide-ranging reforms to reposition the country as a trade and logistics hub in Southern Africa. The plan includes structural trade reforms, investment in logistics infrastructure, and stronger ties with regional markets.

With U.S. tariffs threatening traditional export routes, Namibia’s strategy aims to reduce dependency on external markets and enhance intra-African trade. The leadership’s bold approach could serve as a model for other nations seeking economic resilience

Namibia recently called on the United States to adhere to international trade rules and engage transparently with affected countries following Washington’s decision to impose new tariffs on imports, including those from Namibia.

Speaking to lawmakers, Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said the U.S. acted unilaterally when it introduced a new tariff regime via executive order 14257 on April 2. The policy includes a 21 percent “reciprocal tariff” on Namibian exports to the United States, set to take effect on April 9.

She noted that there had been no consultation or prior engagement with Namibia before the decision was made, which she argued contradicts the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

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The minister warned that such unilateral trade measures could violate WTO rules and undermine the multilateral system, potentially harming smaller economies like Namibia. She said Namibia would continue to advocate for a rules-based multilateral trading system and would closely monitor the situation through its diplomatic missions.