The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) recently concluded a comprehensive three-day high-level stakeholder engagement in the Erongo region, specifically aimed at consulting directly with key transport and logistics industry partners. This initiative was designed to gather insights on emerging developments, operational challenges, and infrastructure needs within the sector, moving towards more effective solutions.
The engagement was spearheaded by acting Chief Executive Officer Edward Shivute, who emphasized the importance of direct dialogue with stakeholders in addressing the bottlenecks that currently hinder efficiency along Namibia’s critical trade corridors. By pinpointing and tackling these challenges, WBCG aspires to implement tailored, practical solutions that will facilitate a smoother flow of both regional and international trade.
During this intensive engagement, Shivute interacted with prominent industry stakeholders, including representatives from the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) and various freight forwarding and logistics firms that operate along these vital corridors. The valuable feedback and insights gathered during these discussions will significantly contribute to the finalization of the WBCG Strategic Framework for the period 2026–2031. This framework aims to optimize the utilization of Namibia’s world-class transport infrastructure, which has experienced a significant uptick in cargo volumes, recently exceeding 2.5 million metric tonnes.
As WBCG embarks on a new five-year strategic cycle, the organization reiterated its unwavering commitment to its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This model encourages proactive, solution-driven dialogue between the government and industry stakeholders to stimulate economic growth and enhance regional integration. WBCG has also indicated plans to continue stakeholder engagements in various regions, ensuring that the perspectives of industry players remain aligned with national development priorities, such as those outlined in National Development Plan 6 (NDP6) and other crucial strategic frameworks.
The recent stakeholder engagement highlights WBCG’s renewed dedication to supporting Namibia’s vision of establishing itself as the preferred trade gateway within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). “Our mission remains clear: to maintain and enhance the competitiveness of our corridors,” Shivute stated emphatically. “These consultations are vital for aligning our strategic operations with the needs of the private sector and relevant regulatory agencies. By addressing industry pain points and fostering robust collaboration, we ensure that the Walvis Bay Corridors continue to provide efficient and reliable transit solutions that meet the growing demands of trade.”
