The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) successfully helped increase cross-border cargo on Namibia’s hinterland corridors to almost 2.5 million metric tonnes through public-private stakeholder participation.
That’s according to chief executive Andrew Kanime who delivered a keynote address at the WBCG’s 25th anniversary in Windhoek last Friday.
The event showcased the Group’s contributions to trade facilitation, regional integration and Namibia's emergence as a logistics hub for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and was attended by a host of industry dignitaries, government officials, industry leaders and diplomatic representatives.
Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Natangwe Ithete, delivered the keynote address on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Ithete praised WBCG and its partners for elevating Namibia as a key trade route. He highlighted that despite the country's small population, its strategic location enables access to over 350 million consumers in the SADC region. He said of WBCG's public-private partnerships had solidifyied Namibia's position as a logistics hub.
“On behalf of Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, I pledge our continued partnership, support and our resolve to make the next 25 years even more prosperous,” he said.
Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi reaffirmed the government's commitment to corridor development, noting the capital-intensive nature of the transport sector. He said investments are essential for maintaining, upgrading and expanding roads, railways, ports and airports, with annual budgetary allocations to support these areas.
A Lifetime Achievement Award of the Highest Order was presented to Founding Father and first President Sam Nujoma for his visionary leadership in developing Namibia's transport infrastructure and trade corridors. Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana accepted it on behalf of the Sam Nujoma Foundation.
Former WBCG chief executive Johny Smith received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his service in advancing the corridors and establishing WBCG as Africa's top corridor management institution.
Other awards recognised excellence in sectors such as leadership, outstanding corridor personalities, women in transport and logistics, SME contributions, transporters, freight forwarders and shipping lines. Recipients included figures from Namibia, Zambia and beyond, with categories also covering youth, public and private sector excellence, corridor heroes and workplace wellness programmes.
“This 25th anniversary is not only about numbers. It is about people, the truck driver who moves freight safely across countries, the customs officer who clears cargo efficiently, the healthcare worker at the wellness centre, and the businesses and communities that thrive because trade moves faster, safer and more reliably through Namibia,” Kanime said.
WBCG’s current head, Mbahupu Tjivikua, highlighted the corridors' role in linking landlocked nations to global markets via Walvis Bay and Lüderitz ports.
“The Walvis Bay Corridors have been instrumental in connecting landlocked countries in the region to global markets through the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, offering an efficient, safe, reliable and cost-effective trade route,” Tjivikua said.
“With over two decades of success, WBCG remains committed to positioning Namibia as the preferred trade route and Logistics Hub for the SADC region, as well as expanding its role in fostering sustainable economic development and regional integration,” he said.
