By: Nana Achiaa Aboagye
The Africa Economic Leadership Council has organized the 2nd “Discovering Namibia Intra Africa MSME and Township Economic Expo and Business Conference 2023” in Swakopmund in Namibia.
The meeting will promote grassroots inclusion in Namibia and Africa’s development agenda in line with the SDGs. The Council believes that enough potential lies within the grassroots communities of Namibia and in Africa.
The Africa Economic Leadership Council, AELC, exists on the key pillars of Intra- African trade promotion and collaboration to complement the fast-tracking and implementation of the AfCFTA. AELC has established footprints in African countries such as Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.
Through its trade and investment and business networking activities, AELC seeks to drive positive change in Africa by connecting entrepreneurs, business leaders, captains of economic industries, and policymakers with the key objectives to address economic challenges that impede Africa’s growth and deliberate on a prosperous and self- sustained Africa – The Africa We Want.
The Major of Swapokmund, Madam Dina Namubes said the expo will leave a positive and lasting impact on doing business in Africa to help build a thriving entrepreneurial community to drive sustainable economic development to support Africa’s wellbeing.
The Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Madam Natalia Goagoses said the conference must not just be a talk shop but have a deliberate action strategy with key indicators.
The Minister at the Presidency Madam Christine Hobebes said Namibia being a member of AfCFTA is ready to champion initiatives that target women and youth participation in key economic sectors.
She reiterated that the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area recognizes the role of women and youth in trade and the importance of empowering them to fully participate and benefit from the Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, by playing an active role in the achievement of the free trade zone particularly in the sectors of agriculture, financial services, information technology and in the cultural and creative industries.
She said that Namibia has identified sectors where women and youth have a competitive advantage, such as agriculture, aquaculture, cosmetics sector and textiles.
She emphasized that it is time for us to be intentional in our design and implementation of policy programmes to enable MSMES at the township and rural economy, to tap into existing business and trade opportunities and to become masters of their own destinies.
Madam Christine said the Ministry of Industrialisation & Trade, and NIPDB are formulating the ‘Namibia Start Up Policy’ and ‘National Informal Economy Policy’, as policy instruments to create a more enabling environment for entrepreneurs and starts ups.
The Co-Founder and President of the Africa Economic Leadership Council, Councilor Heinrich Hafeni told GBCN News that the conference serves as a conduit to promote intra-Africa trade for economic progress. He said the Discover Namibia MSME & Township Economy Expo and Conference is a groundbreaking and extraordinary event that promises to be a platform for fostering economic growth, collaboration, and development in Namibia and across the African continent.
The Conference attracted participation from different countries. There was an exhibition for countries to display products, services, creativity, talent and resilience of MSMEs and township businesses. The 2023 conference had the theme: Unpacking the AfCFTA & Unlocking Intra- African Trade Opportunities for Townships and grassroots economies toward shared Prosperity.