INTERNATIONAL TRADE

As trade volumes rise, Namibia must strengthen its logistics systems

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

The country’s ports are seeing substantially increased container throughput and land borders are busy. But there are concerns.

Given that trade volumes in Namibia are continuing to increase, the head of the country’s logistics-industry body is calling for urgent action to strengthen logistics systems to meet the demand. 

 

Harold Schmidt, Secretary General of the Namibia Logistics Association, has also cautioned against a recent policy change in Botswana that prohibits the consolidation and movement of cargo under a single Received-in-Transit (RIT) entry.  

Namibia’s ports are achieving increased container throughput. Photo: Namports

This policy change, he warned, has already begun to cause unintended consequences beyond Botswana’s borders, disrupting supply chains and increasing costs for neighbouring countries that rely on the same corridors. 

 

Schmidt is quoted in various regional logistics industry publications as saying that, with more cargo expected to move through the country, Namibia must ensure its systems, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks are designed for speed, reliability and cost-effectiveness. 

 

“We need to think outside the box to truly seize the many opportunities that currently exist. Namibia has done an excellent job of promoting itself as a viable trade option. However, to turn this potential into reality, we must ensure that the necessary policies are in place and that we implement processes that fulfil that promise,” Schmidt is quoted as saying by ‘Supply Chain First’. 

 

Procedure changes can quickly impact change 

 

According to ‘Zambia Transport and Logistics’, he cited the recent in-transit cargo-clearing procedure change introduced by Botswana as a negative example that can quickly impact trade. 

 

“We are currently facing an issue that has caused significant costs and delays in one corridor. If a three-country bloc cannot resolve this, how can we expect to expand intra-regional trade further north?” Schmidt warned.  

 

“What happens when other countries observe what Botswana is doing, weigh the costs and benefits for their own systems, regardless of the wider impact on trade, and start following suit?” 

 

In November 2024, ‘Southern Africa’s Freight News’ reported: “Border backlogging at the various land entry points into Botswana continues to hold back road freight into the landlocked country following the implementation of a new per-item customs declaration procedure that has resulted in excessive cargo clearing delays. 

 

“While the Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) system is essentially aimed at curbing smuggling and under-invoicing by in-transit operators, Botswana-bound cargo has also been affected by the build-up of trucks at the various border posts.” 

 

Cargo handled by the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) at the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz increased by almost 5% to over 8-million tonnes for the financial year ended 31 March 2025.  

This throughput of 8.42-million tonnes is up from 8.03-million tonnes handled during the previous financial year.  

 

Overall, Namibia’s ports are achieving the highest container throughput in over a decade. 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.