Ongwediva trade fair gala raises over N$1.6 million
Over N$1.6 million was raised at a gala dinner on Saturday in support of the annual Ongwediva Trade Fair, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.
Organisers called for increased support to transform the event into a modern, multi-purpose business hub to help serve Namibia’s growing economy.
The highest pledges of the evening came from First National Bank (FNB), which contributed N$399 999.99, and MTC, which pledged N$350 000. The funds will support the trade fair, scheduled to take place from 22 to 30 August.
Speaking at the gala, Nedbank Namibia MD Martha Murorua described the trade fair as a powerful symbol of decentralised and diversified economic development in Namibia.
She urged businesses, government and communities to harness the platform to drive growth, entrepreneurship and opportunity across the country, with a particular focus on underserved towns.
“Every town in Namibia has the potential to become a centre of growth and possibility. We must channel our economic energy not only into the major hubs but also into towns like Ongwediva, Outapi, Nkurenkuru, Mariental, Lüderitz and Walvis Bay,” Murorua said.
Big event, more space needed
Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) Society chairperson Rebekka Hidulika highlighted that limited infrastructure is hampering growth, with current facilities unable to accommodate the rising number of exhibitors keen to take part.
“Our exhibition halls, built over two decades ago, are ageing. The demand far exceeds our capacity. We are here not only to celebrate what OATF has become but also to call upon you, our partners, sponsors, friends, and believers, to join hands with us as we shape its future,” she said.
The trade fair, Hidulika noted, has grown from a small regional showcase that started in 2000, with fewer than 100 exhibitors, into one of Namibia’s largest trade and investment events.
Today, it attracts over 1 500 applications annually, but limited infrastructure means that, on average, more than 500 businesses are turned away each year.
Hidulika said they want to transform the trade fair into a multi-purpose, smart and sustainable business connector, building and shaping the future of the economy.
“We want this to be a beacon of progress, not only for Ongwediva but for Namibia and the entire southern African region,” she said.
“Our exhibition halls, built more than two decades ago, can only accommodate 485 exhibitors. The demand far exceeds our current capacity,” she said. “We need to act decisively and collectively to shape the future of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair."
This year’s fair will be held under the theme 'Innovate-Connect-Prosper'.
Among its new features will be an expanded business forum, running for two full days, including business-to-business matchmaking sessions with a high-level delegation from South Africa’s Limpopo Province – an effort aimed at boosting cross-border partnerships and regional economic integration.
Reimagine the future
Nedbank's Murorua further stressed the importance of public–private sector collaboration to build resilient local economies that reduce migration to urban centres and improve livelihoods.
She highlighted the need to reimagine towns through innovation, sustainability and inclusive development.
Murorua emphasised that for Nedbank, the trade fair is not just about business but about celebrating the resilient spirit of Namibia’s northern communities. She highlighted that the trade fair has served as a launchpad for innovation, entrepreneurship and cultural preservation.
This includes collaboration between the Community Conservation Fund of Namibia and local conservancies, which allows traditional crafts to be showcased and sold at the fair.
Nedbank Namibia has pledged N$150 000 toward this year’s event.
Organisers called for increased support to transform the event into a modern, multi-purpose business hub to help serve Namibia’s growing economy.
The highest pledges of the evening came from First National Bank (FNB), which contributed N$399 999.99, and MTC, which pledged N$350 000. The funds will support the trade fair, scheduled to take place from 22 to 30 August.
Speaking at the gala, Nedbank Namibia MD Martha Murorua described the trade fair as a powerful symbol of decentralised and diversified economic development in Namibia.
She urged businesses, government and communities to harness the platform to drive growth, entrepreneurship and opportunity across the country, with a particular focus on underserved towns.
“Every town in Namibia has the potential to become a centre of growth and possibility. We must channel our economic energy not only into the major hubs but also into towns like Ongwediva, Outapi, Nkurenkuru, Mariental, Lüderitz and Walvis Bay,” Murorua said.
Big event, more space needed
Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) Society chairperson Rebekka Hidulika highlighted that limited infrastructure is hampering growth, with current facilities unable to accommodate the rising number of exhibitors keen to take part.
“Our exhibition halls, built over two decades ago, are ageing. The demand far exceeds our capacity. We are here not only to celebrate what OATF has become but also to call upon you, our partners, sponsors, friends, and believers, to join hands with us as we shape its future,” she said.
The trade fair, Hidulika noted, has grown from a small regional showcase that started in 2000, with fewer than 100 exhibitors, into one of Namibia’s largest trade and investment events.
Today, it attracts over 1 500 applications annually, but limited infrastructure means that, on average, more than 500 businesses are turned away each year.
Hidulika said they want to transform the trade fair into a multi-purpose, smart and sustainable business connector, building and shaping the future of the economy.
“We want this to be a beacon of progress, not only for Ongwediva but for Namibia and the entire southern African region,” she said.
“Our exhibition halls, built more than two decades ago, can only accommodate 485 exhibitors. The demand far exceeds our current capacity,” she said. “We need to act decisively and collectively to shape the future of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair."
This year’s fair will be held under the theme 'Innovate-Connect-Prosper'.
Among its new features will be an expanded business forum, running for two full days, including business-to-business matchmaking sessions with a high-level delegation from South Africa’s Limpopo Province – an effort aimed at boosting cross-border partnerships and regional economic integration.
Reimagine the future
Nedbank's Murorua further stressed the importance of public–private sector collaboration to build resilient local economies that reduce migration to urban centres and improve livelihoods.
She highlighted the need to reimagine towns through innovation, sustainability and inclusive development.
Murorua emphasised that for Nedbank, the trade fair is not just about business but about celebrating the resilient spirit of Namibia’s northern communities. She highlighted that the trade fair has served as a launchpad for innovation, entrepreneurship and cultural preservation.
This includes collaboration between the Community Conservation Fund of Namibia and local conservancies, which allows traditional crafts to be showcased and sold at the fair.
Nedbank Namibia has pledged N$150 000 toward this year’s event.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article