Core Viewpoint - Namibia is shifting its focus towards the $3.4 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market to reduce reliance on U.S. preferential access amid the turmoil surrounding the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) [1] Group 1: Market Strategy - The Speaker of Parliament, Sara, highlighted that African exporters are highly susceptible to external policy changes, which can disrupt supply chains and lead to decreased export revenues, threatening jobs in related industries [1] - Namibia aims to build a resilient and diversified market, with AfCFTA emerging as a new strategic growth platform [1] Group 2: Participation in AfCFTA - Namibia's path to participating in AfCFTA is clear: it was signed in 2018, ratified in 2019, and a tariff plan is set for 2024 [1] - Trade under this mechanism officially began in June of this year, with Namibia exporting 45,000 tons of salt from Walvis Bay to Nigeria, and Meatco planning to export wet blue hides to Mombasa, Kenya in November [1] - Although the scale of these exports is limited, they hold significant symbolic importance for Namibia's entry into the AfCFTA market [1]

Core Points - The article highlights the severe consequences of U.S. tariff policies on African countries, particularly Lesotho, which has historically maintained a strong trade relationship with the U.S. [1] - Lesotho has declared a "disaster state" due to rising export prices of clothing and textiles resulting from U.S. tariffs, leading to factory closures and job losses [1][5] - The U.S. tariffs, including a 15% tariff on Lesotho and a 30% tariff on South Africa, are expected to have a ripple effect on nearly 20 African countries [1][5] Group 1: Trade Relations and Economic Impact - The U.S. and African trade relationship has been viewed as a solution to poverty in Africa, with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) allowing eligible countries to export goods to the U.S. duty-free [3] - AGOA has stimulated local manufacturing and created job opportunities, helping African countries move away from reliance on raw material exports [3][9] - Despite AGOA's successes, only 32 African countries benefit from duty-free treatment, leaving many poorer nations without access to these advantages [3][9] Group 2: Tariff Policy and Future Uncertainty - The comprehensive tariff policies of the Trump administration pose a threat to the AGOA program, which is set to expire unless renewed by Congress [5] - The expiration of AGOA could lead to increased economic influence from other countries in Africa and higher prices for U.S. consumers on goods like jeans [5][9] - The trade deficit between the U.S. and several African nations, including a $234 million deficit with Lesotho, is seen as a sign of successful cooperation, facilitating economic development in Africa [3][9]