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The AfCFTA presents significant opportunities for manufacturing SMEs in Namibia to expand into regional markets. However, limited evidence exists regarding the extent to which these enterprises are logistically prepared to participate effectively in continental trade. This study aims to examine the logistical readiness of GS1-registered manufacturing SMEs in Namibia to participate in trade under the AfCFTA. In this paper, it is also aimed to assess SMEs’ awareness of AfCFTA compliance requirements, identify key logistical challenges, and evaluate operational capability gaps related to supply chain documentation, inventory management, and export logistics. The study is underpinned by the Resource-Based View, Institutional Theory, and Trade Facilitation Theory. A qualitative research approach was employed using open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. A dataset comprising responses from representatives of GS1-registered manufacturing SMEs operating in sectors such as food processing, cosmetics, agro-processing, textiles, and light manufacturing was analysed. Data were collected during 2025 and analysed using reflective thematic analysis supported by Atlas.ti 23 software. The main findings of the study demonstrate that: (i) although awareness of the AfCFTA exists among SMEs, knowledge of specific compliance requirements, including rules of origin, customs documentation, and regulatory procedures, remains limited; (ii) significant internal logistical and operational capability gaps persist, particularly in export skills, inventory management systems, and logistics planning; and (iii) external barriers, including high transport costs, regulatory complexities, and inadequate institutional coordination, constrain SMEs’ readiness to exploit AfCFTA opportunities. The study concludes that GS1 registration is a necessary but insufficient condition for trade readiness and recommends targeted capacity-building initiatives, improved trade facilitation measures, and stronger institutional support to enhance SME participation in continental trade.

The effective utilisation of Integrated Logistics Systems (ILS) is increasingly recognised as a critical enabler of operational efficiency, accountability, and readiness within defence organisations. The study investigated the utilisation of Integrated Logistics Systems within the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) in the Khomas region of Namibia. A qualitative research approach was utilised, and data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with 33 participants drawn from logistics officers, supply chain managers, system administrators, and information technology support personnel. The data was analysed thematically to generate insights into patterns of system use, organisational dynamics, and user experiences. The findings revealed that although the Integrated Logistics System operates within MODVA, its use is still inconsistent, disjointed, and primarily confined to fundamental functions. Advanced system features intended to enhance complete logistics integration, real-time visibility, and strategic decision-making are greatly underused. The study also identified internal organisational elements such as leadership styles, corporate culture, workflow inconsistencies, inadequate training, and lack of ICT support as key factors influencing system utilisation. Participants also described national ICT infrastructure, procurement regulations, reliance on external suppliers, and cybersecurity requirements as contextual constraints affecting the environment in which ILS is used. Moreover, the study found that the challenges related to ILS implementation and utilisation are closely linked. Insufficient rollout planning, minimal user engagement, ineffective change management tactics, and ongoing training and capability deficiencies have led to diminished user trust and opposition to digital processes. Technical and infrastructural limitations further diminish trust in the system, while behavioural obstacles such as fear of making mistakes, preference for manual processes, and reluctance to change remain firmly embedded in the organisational culture. The study concludes that effective ILS implementation within MODVA necessitates a comprehensive strategy that combines technological proficiency with organisational preparedness, leadership commitment, ongoing skills enhancement, and organised change management. The findings contribute to the understanding of digital logistics systems adoption in defence settings in developing countries and offer evidence-based recommendations for improving system usage and operational efficiency.

This paper evaluates the performance of road construction contracts awarded by the Roads Authority (RA) of Namibia, addressing the persistent project delays, cost overruns, and contractor non-performance that have continued despite the enactment of the Public Procurement Act 15 of 2015. The study examines three interrelated dimensions of contract performance: the role of procurement processes in contractor selection, the effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation systems, and the influence of external factors on project outcomes. A qualitative case study design, underpinned by a constructivist research philosophy, was adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires administered to 27 purposively selected participants, comprising 10 Roads Authority procurement officers and project managers and 17 contractors who undertook road projects between 2020 and 2025. Responses were analysed in ATLAS.ti through inductive open, axial, and selective coding, yielding 68 codes consolidated into 19 clusters and five overarching themes. The findings show that contract performance is undermined by (i) procurement process limitations, particularly lowest-bid bias and unverifiable paper-based capacity assessment; (ii) monitoring and supervision gaps linked to understaffing and reactive contract management; (iii) institutional capacity constraints; (iv) external pressures, most notably delayed client payments and political interference; and (v) contractor-side weaknesses including financial mismanagement and capacity misrepresentation. These findings are interpreted through Principal-Agent Theory, the Resource-Based View, and Project Management Theory, which jointly demonstrate that performance failure is multi-causal rather than attributable to any single determinant. The study recommends reforming contractor selection criteria, introducing performance-based contracting, strengthening monitoring capacity through digital systems, and improving payment discipline, offering an empirically grounded contribution to public procurement and infrastructure contract management scholarship in developing countries.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the enforcement mechanisms and compliance challenges in Africa’s Continental Trade Regime. This study employed the qualitative doctrinal and policy research design to explore the issue of the enforcement of transport services regulatory matters within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The study adopted a doctrinal analysis of the AfCFTA instruments with a combination of thematic policy reviews; hence, it relied exclusively on secondary qualitative data obtained from authoritative legal and institutional sources. Primary data sources and materials comprise the AfCFTA Agreement, Protocol on Trade in Services, the Dispute Settlement Protocol, and relevant annexes that govern regulatory cooperation, market access, and nontariff barriers. The data collection procedure involved a systematic desk review and thematic analysis for qualitative studies to analyse the data. The review shows four main enforcement mechanisms of the regulatory framework of transport services under the AfCFTA. These include legal obligations and notification requirements, institutional oversight by AfCFTA bodies, peer review and political accountability, and dispute settlement mechanisms are some of the most outstanding aspects of the AfCFTA Agreement. Factors including regulation fragmentation, the absence of enforcement powers, non-transparency, and restrictive market access conditions, insufficient professional standards in commonality, insecurity, and transport barriers challenges the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms. The authors conclude that the design of the AfCFTA alone is not adequate in facilitating the opening of the transport service. The study therefore provides pragmatic measures to strengthen the institutional capacity, harmonise the regulations, and monitor compliance better. These reforms can influence the reduction of trade costs, the improvement of supply chain reliability, and the attainment of the AfCFTA's broader aim of economic integration across the continent.

This study examined media advertisement, self-image, and self-esteem as predictors of skin bleaching behavior among Nigerian undergraduate students, grounded in Social Learning Theory.  A cross-sectional survey of 350 undergraduates (56.3% female) from five on-campus hostels used the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, an adapted Body Self-Image Questionnaire, and media influence assessments. Multiple regression analysis examined predictive relationships. The findings reveal media advertisements were the strongest predictor of skin bleaching behavior , followed by self-image and self-esteem. The model explained 62.4% of variance. Currently, 25.4% of participants used skin bleaching products, 77.1% had family history of the practice, and only 8.1% demonstrated adequate knowledge of health risks. The findings highlight media influence as the primary behavioral driver, supporting Social Learning Theory's emphasis on environmental factors and observational learning. Interventions must address media messaging, regulatory frameworks, and health literacy rather than relying solely on individual psychological interventions.

Despite clear requirements and recommendations of the PEGA, 2019 (Act No. 1 of 2019), the Companies Act 28 of 2004, and the NamCode, many commercial PEs in Namibia fail to consistently publish their annual reports. This undermines both public trust and the ability of policymakers to make informed decisions. While earlier assessments, such as the Institute for Public Policy Research’s 2021 report of the 2019/2020 financial year, shed light on these shortcomings, there has been limited research on more recent reporting trends. This study addresses that gap by examining the availability of annual reports across 21 commercial PEs from the 2020/2021 to 2023/2024 financial year. Using a qualitative, interpretivist approach, the study assessed online annual report publication where data analysed through a deductive lens shaped by the PEGA, Companies Act, NamCode, and relevant governance theories (Agency, Stakeholder, Public Value, and Institutional theories). The findings point to persistent inconsistencies in compliance, with only a handful of commercial PEs consistently publishing their annual reports online over the review period. Challenges identified include limited internal resources, unclear accountability mechanisms, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and political interference. Weak regulatory enforcement further exacerbates the issue. However, entities like the Mobile Telecommunications Company and the Namibia Power Corporation, amongst others, emerged as examples of best practice. To strengthen transparency and accountability in Namibia’s PE sector, the study highlights the need for more robust enforcement of reporting requirements, standardised publication frameworks, and strategic investment in institutional capacity.            

This study investigates factors limiting the entrepreneurial action of small-scale irrigation farmers (SSIF) at the Namibian Green Scheme Irrigation Project (GSIP).  Literature was reviewed on the concepts of the agricultural sector in Namibia, entrepreneurship action, and agricultural entrepreneurship in Namibia and elsewhere. The paper used a quantitative research approach to produce descriptive statistics of the agricultural entrepreneurs' experiences when starting and operating their projects. Data were collected using a questionnaire surveying the Etunda Green scheme irrigation project. The study used Microsoft Office Excel 2019 analysis tool pack to analyse the data. The key findings revealed that most SSIF operating at the project are obstructed by some elements of the policy environment, finance, business support services, market environment, infrastructure, and ecological factors. The study praises that sectoral connections should be strengthened, and government should prioritise and target elements that would improve the overall performance of the Namibian agricultural sector. The study offers policymakers and practitioners a blueprint for developing entrepreneurship in an agricultural context, specifically the Namibian Green Scheme Projects.

This study argues that preservation of internal security of Namibia should not be the primary responsibility of only the Namibian Police Force (NamPol). The issue of security has been the subject of interest throughout human existence and still reserves its principal occupation in the public domain. However, the challenges of insecurities and increased threats to human existence domestically and globally have triggered incessantly renewed security inquiry by scholars, security practitioners, politicians and public administrators. The study employed a qualitative approach; interviews were used to purposively collect data from 20 participants which comprised of the heads of directorates, the regional commanders in the Namibian Police Force, Legal Assistance Centre, NamRights, Namibian Defence Force, Namibian Correctional Service and Windhoek Municipal Police. The data was analysed using thematic analysis, which led to the development of the Framework for Performing Internal Security [FPIS] model. The findings indicate that due to the nature of factors linked to insecurities, such as technology, porous borders, political factors, environmental factors, inequality, poverty, unemployment and lack of provision for essential services, the Namibian police alone cannot preserve internal security effectively. As such, the study recommends that constitutional amendments to incorporate other stakeholders in the preservation Namibia’s internal security.