President H.E. Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the 25th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), urging local businesses to expand globally as the event faced capacity challenges, with 1,872 applications for exhibition space and only 485 exhibitors accommodated.
Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Sunday, has become a pivotal platform for Namibian commerce, but its rapid growth has exposed critical infrastructure gaps. With 1,872 applications for exhibition space and only 485 exhibitors accepted, the fair’s current venue struggles to meet demand, prompting calls for expansion. Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized the need for local entrepreneurs to think regionally, continentally and globally,
aligning with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
President’s Vision for Global Expansion
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s opening speech highlighted the fair’s role in advancing Namibia’s economic priorities, including the A Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy
theme. She called on entrepreneurs to leverage AfCFTA, noting that 36 international exhibitors from South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Botswana underscored the event’s regional reach. Our entrepreneurs must increasingly think regionally, continentally and globally,
she said, citing the SWAPO Party Election Manifesto 2025-2030 as a guiding framework. The President also stressed the need to address youth unemployment through sectors like green hydrogen, oil and gas, renewable energy, and expanded logistics, framing the fair as entering a new chapter of economic opportunity.
The fair’s growth reflects broader economic dynamism. Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that the space deficit tells us that Ongwediva is doing something right,
but also warned that the success of the Ongwediva Trade Fair has outgrown its present facilities.
This sentiment was echoed by Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair preparatory committee deputy chairperson Evat Kandongo, who described the event as having grown in leaps and bounds
from a small exhibition into a major event with hundreds of exhibitors and international participation.
Venue Constraints and Economic Impact
The Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre’s capacity limitations have created both opportunities and challenges. While the surge in applications highlights the fair’s popularity, organizers had to turn away nearly three-quarters of businesses seeking to exhibit, a decision Nandi-Ndaitwah noted in the context of the space deficit being both a sign of economic dynamism and a pressing structural challenge.
Local businesses, including accommodation providers and shops, have benefited from the influx of visitors, but officials acknowledge systemic strains. There is no accommodation in Ongwediva, it was always a struggle this time. It’s a very big struggle,
Kandongo said, noting that the lack of lodging underscores the need for infrastructure upgrades.
Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge emphasized the fair’s role in connecting entrepreneurs with markets, stating that its success should be measured by whether businesses leave the grounds better informed, better connected and better positioned to grow.
He urged visitors to explore economic opportunities beyond the fairgrounds, including in Ongwediva, Oshakati and Ondangwa, as well as surrounding rural communities. Meanwhile, MTC chief technical and information officer Monica Nehemia highlighted the fair’s value in fostering partnerships, stating that For MTC, sponsorship is not simply trading. It is participation in national development.
Anniversary Milestones and Digital Innovations
The 25th edition of the OATF marked a milestone in its history, with organizers introducing new initiatives to commemorate the occasion. Division head of the Trade Fair Lonia Nghuulikwa revealed plans for the inaugural OATF Half Marathon and a fireworks display, alongside a documentary produced on the history of OATF. The event also launched a digital platform to streamline access to information, reduce paperwork, and enhance the visitor experience. Digitalisation also allows us to communicate more efficiently with stakeholders and create a more convenient experience before, during and after the trade fair,
Nghuulikwa said, emphasizing the fair’s commitment to modernization.
The fair’s evolution from a local expo to a national economic driver is evident in its expanding scope. Nghuulikwa noted that the event, initially known as Let’s Go North,
has grown into a platform featuring conversations with individuals who have been part of the journey from those early beginnings. The digital shift (biometric) also aims to improve sustainability, with systems reducing paper footprint, minimising waste and promoting a cleaner, more sustainable event while simultaneously improving the efficiency of the visitor and exhibitor experience in the fast entry process.
Regional Collaboration and Future Challenges
The fair’s regional significance was further highlighted by Limpopo Province’s participation, with a 26-member delegation comprising heads of department, chief executive officers, senior government and municipal officials and small, medium and micro enterprises from South Africa attending to strengthen economic ties. Limpopo department of economic development, environment and tourism head Matodzi Rathumbu emphasized the potential for cross-border collaboration, stating that the bond of friendship between Namibia and South Africa translates into a better quality of life for our people.
The delegation also aimed to draw lessons from the fair ahead of the Limpopo Investment Conference on 15 October.
Despite its achievements, the fair faces unresolved challenges. Nandi-Ndaitwah called on the Ongwediva Town Council, together with the private sector, to mobilize resources for expansion,
while Kandongo noted that the fair receives applications from as many as 1 800 prospective exhibitors despite limited space. The question of how to balance growth with infrastructure development remains central to the fair’s future. As Nghuulikwa put it, the 25th edition of OATF is a particularly significant milestone, and we have planned several initiatives to celebrate not only the trade fair itself, but also the people and journey behind its 25-year history.
