With combined earnings of N$1.6-million in a ten-day period in July 2006, Namibian beer and refined petroleum products have been identified as the highest traded commodities being exported through the northern border posts of Oshikango and Wenela.
The commodities that raked in N$1.6 million have been identified as Windhoek Special beer and petrol and diesel, according to a recent study undertaken by the Southern African Migration Report (SAMP). The study was done in collaboration with the University of Namibia (Unam) and entitled: "Unpacking Huge Quantities Into Smaller Units: Small-Scale Cross-Border Trade Between Namibia and Her Northern Neighbours."
There is virtually no data or information available on the type, volumes, quantities and the value of goods carried through land border posts by small-scale traders as well as their contribution to national trade statistics on imports and exports from Namibia.
Consequently, the study is seen in a positive light, as it outlines the high movement of trade across Namibia's borders with neighbouring Angola at Oshikango and Zambia at Wenela.
It turns out that while alcoholic goods were traded in huge amounts at the busiest border post of Oshikango, petroleum products were leaving the country through Wenela.
