Namibia to host African Union MSME summit

Transformative meeting
A total of 54 African member states will converge in Windhoek this week for the African Union Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Forum.
STAFF REPORTER
  • 3 Months Ago
Namibia is set to host the third annual African Union Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Forum from 9 to 13 September in Windhoek. This landmark event is designed to foster financial empowerment and innovation for MSMEs across the continent.

The forum is poised to be a transformative experience, converging over 200 entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors and thought leaders from 54 African countries and beyond.

Adequately capacitated MSMEs can play a crucial role in job creation, economic diversification and poverty alleviation, among other things. The forum will thus serve as a platform for sharing best practices, innovative solutions and policy frameworks that can empower these enterprises to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market.

This event aligns with Namibia's broader vision of becoming a key player in Africa's economic landscape by supporting the growth of its own MSME sector.

Likewise, the event’s objectives align with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board's (NIPDB) mandate of promoting the development of Namibian MSMEs through interventions that enhance their capacity to grow and penetrate markets beyond Namibia, and contribute towards the country’s export basket. The forum will feature a series of interactive sessions, panel discussions and networking opportunities designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing MSMEs today.



High-level participation

The event is expected to attract high-level participation, including government officials, private sector leaders and representatives from international organisations, all committed to advancing the MSME agenda 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 particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to increase intra-Africa trade.

The NIPDB will also host the first AU Chelete Cage - a business pitching platform dedicated to providing financial and non-financial support to MSMEs and start-ups. The term 'chelete', meaning money in the Namibian language Silozi, captures the event’s focus on helping businesses address financing challenges.

With the forum scheduled to take place this week, the NIPDB announced key sponsorships received from the following private sector entities towards the hosting of the event. The United Nations Development Programme Namibia sponsored N$400 000, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) sponsored N$200 000, Momentum Metropolitan sponsored N$300 000, Hollard Namibia sponsored N$110 000, Bank Windhoek sponsored N$200 000, and M&G Investments sponsored N$200 000.