Hilarius Hamutenya
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has secured N$1.1 million in sponsorship from local companies to support the inaugural Global Africa Hydrogen Summit Namibia and the third edition of the African Union Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Forum.
The sponsorship came from UNDP (N$400 000), GIZ (N$200 000), Momentum Metropolitan (N$300 000), Hollard Namibia (N$110 000), Bank Windhoek (N$200 000) and M&G Investment (N$200 000).
These funds were handed over to the NIPDB on Wednesday.
The Global African Hydrogen Summit will be held from 3 to 5 September in Windhoek.
The AU MSME Forum will also be held in Windhoek from 9 to 13 September.
Julia Muetudhana, the NIPDB’s executive for talent, innovation and productivity, said the forum will offer Namibian business owners a chance to engage with the continent’s agenda and foster direct collaborative organisations committed to advancing MSMEs in Africa.
“For Namibian MSMEs, the event provides an opportunity to network and build potential partnerships with their counterparts from 53 African countries to expand their businesses,” she said.
Muetudhana added that the event offers networking and partnership opportunities for Namibian MSMEs with their counterparts from 53 African countries, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“This prestigious gathering promises to be a transformative experience, driving forward the future of African entrepreneurship and innovation,” she said.
This year’s forum, themed Fostering Financial Empowerment and Educational Innovation for African Startups and MSMEs, brings together 300 entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors and thought leaders from 54 African states and beyond.
Muetudhana added that the NIPDB will also host the first AU Chelete Cage-a business pitching platform.
She said the platform focuses on offering MSMEs and startups both financial and non-financial support.
“The term “Chelete,” meaning money in the Namibian language Silozi, captures the event’s focus on helping businesses address financing challenges,” she said.
The objectives of the AU MSME Summit include, among others, educating African entrepreneurs about diverse financial products, guiding them in finding funding sources locally and globally and facilitating knowledge sharing and best practices.
