By Staff Reporter
The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has formally launched the Namibia South Africa Business Council, a new platform aimed at strengthening trade, investment and business partnerships between the two neighbouring countries.
The council, born out of a commitment made by the Namibian and South African heads of state during the 2023 Bi-National Commission (BNC), seeks to transform strong political ties into tangible economic opportunities by creating a permanent mechanism for private sector collaboration.
NCCI chief executive officer Titus Nampala said the council will serve as a practical vehicle to facilitate cross-border business growth, attract investment and create opportunities for companies of all sizes.
“Our task now is to make sure that runway leads somewhere real, to signed deals, cross-border partnerships and growth that Namibian and South African businesses can actually feel. We are building a council that listens, leads and delivers, and that is deliberately designed to open doors for our large corporates and our MSMEs alike,” he said.
South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) president Advocate Mtho Xulu described the launch as a significant step towards deepening commercial ties between the two countries.
“For too long, the depth of goodwill between our two countries has outpaced the depth of our commecial engagement
This council gives business leaders in both countries a standing table to sit at, not once every few years at a summit, but on an ongoing basis,” Xulu said.
The council will provide micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with structured business matchmaking, guidance on regulatory and market entry requirements, and a direct platform to address challenges such as customs procedures, financing gaps and other barriers to regional expansion.
Nampala stressed that smaller businesses must be at the centre of the initiative.
“No Namibian enterprise should be left out of this opportunity because of its size. SMEs are the heartbeat of inclusive growth and this Council must generate sustainable, decent jobs and open doors that were previously only accessible to the biggest players,” he said.
The NCCI and SACCI have urged businesses to actively participate by registering their interest, attending upcoming engagement sessions and submitting trade and investment opportunities that the council can help unlock.
Further details on the council’s governance structure, sectoral working groups and the first business-to-business engagement sessions are expected to be announced in the coming weeks of his art in a local gallery.
In the future, however, he hopes to showcase his work at the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN) in Windhoek.
