Trade between Namibia and Zambia grew by 48% in 2024, driven by the increased use of the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor (WBNLDC) for exports and imports.
This was announced by Haindongo Siyave, Namibia’s high commissioner to Zambia, during an information-sharing session hosted by the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) at Kitwe, the economic hub of Copperbelt Province in Zambia, on 13 March.
The session focused on positioning the WBNLDC as the preferred trade route for the copperbelt.
It provided a platform for key stakeholders within the mining, manufacturing, transport and logistics industries to explore supply chain solutions, trade and investment opportunities through the port of Walvis Bay and the WBNLDC.
“This information session is good testimony to the cordial bilateral relations between Namibia and Zambia, as witnessed in growing trade volumes between the two countries,” Siyave said.
Zambia exports copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese and honey for the global market through Walvis Bay, as well as maize bran and molasses for the Namibian market.
“On the other hand, Namibia exports seafood [horse mackerel being the bulk of it] and facilitates in-transit mining consumables and equipment to Zambia,” said Siyave.
Copperbelt provincial minister Elisha Matambo highlighted the strategic importance of the province and the need for efficient, cost-effective logistics solutions to enhance trade competitiveness.
“As a government, we are unfortunately aware of some of the challenges Zambia faces when importing or exporting goods through other trade corridors, and Walvis Bay wouldn’t have come at a better time than now when the ‘new dawn’ government wants to accelerate the export capacities of the country.
“To that end, we have placed the Zambian dry port under ZamCargo to increase Zambia’s presence in Namibia, and consequently we anticipate quick growth of Zambia’s logistical footprint in your country,” he said.
The minister said the port of Walvis Bay has emerged as the most preferred trade route in the recent past.
“As testimony to this, the amount of fertiliser imported into Zambia through Walvis Bay during the 2024/25 farming season grew fourfold, and we anticipate even higher figures for the 2025/26 farming season.
“I must also mention that Zambia is actively prospecting commencing the importation of fuel products via Walvis Bay as evidenced by a recent visit to Namibia by officials from the ministry of energy regulations board,” he said.
“I gather the prospects are bright on this project.”
Kitwe’s deputy mayor, Alex Mwango, said: “Kitwe and the wider Copperbelt Province continue to be the heartbeat of the Zambian economy, serving as a vital hub for the mining of mineral resources such as copper and cobalt.
“Therefore, ensuring our province is connected to the safest, efficient and cost-effective route, is a key priority, and the WBNLDC, which connects Zambia to Walvis Bay, offers all these benefits and more for exporters and importers in the copperbelt,” he said.
WBCG chief executive Hippy Tjivikua reiterated the group’s commitment to providing seamless trade, logistics and supply chain solutions to the copperbelt.
“Our corridors offer shorter transit times, competitive logistics solutions, and an efficient connection to global markets.
“We encourage businesses in Zambia to leverage these opportunities to optimise the WBNLDC,” he said.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na
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