SWAKOPMUND — John Mutorwa, Namibia’s Minister of Works and Transport, has emphasized the critical importance of an improved transport network system for Namibia and Africa in achieving the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agenda 2063 goal of a single market for goods and services. Mutorwa highlighted AfCFTA’s significance as the world’s largest new free trade area since the World Trade Organisation’s inception in 1994.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Mutorwa’s remarks, delivered on his behalf on Tuesday at Swakopmund, came during the launch of the 13th Joint Law Enforcement Operation by the Trans-Kalahari Corridor Management Committee (TKCMC), which includes Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. He stated that transport is the backbone of any economy and plays a crucial role in achieving governmental, regional, continental, and global objectives across all transport modes – aviation, maritime, road, and rail.

He further noted that due to cross-border movements of people and cargo, various bilateral and multilateral transport agreements have been developed, including the TKCMC and the SACU agreement on Transport. The TKCMC initiative aims to ensure the legal movement of goods, people, and services through the corridors.

Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), stressed the importance of maintaining safety and security along the corridor, declaring that no illegal activities would be tolerated. He affirmed NamPol’s commitment to securing the movement of goods and services along the corridors.

Leslie Mpofu, Executive Director of the Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, underscored the need to consider the various development corridor initiatives in the context of socio-economic challenges facing the region. These challenges include the need for increased economic growth, a more diversified and internationally competitive regional economy.