By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
A key feature of the 2026 Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) programme is the Business Forum and Business-to-Business Matchmaking Programme on Monday, 24 August 2026, the Ongwediva Trade Fair Society reported.
The Forum will be organised in collaboration with the Namibia Trade Forum, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade and the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Business Forum will focus on strengthening Namibia–South Africa trade relations, regional value chains and opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As for the B2B component, it will facilitate targeted engagements between Namibian enterprises and participating regional businesses.
According to the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) organising society chairperson, Rebekka Hidulika, the intention is to ensure that the annual Fair delivers outcomes beyond general networking.
This is by creating opportunities for supplier relationships, market linkages, joint ventures, investment partnerships and access to new markets.
Speaking on the importance of the Forum and B2B, the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Trade Forum, Rodney !Hoaeb, stated that it is part of the Fair growth and value delivery.
!Hoaeb noted that over the past 25 years, OATF has grown from a local exhibition initiative into one of Namibia’s prominent multi-sectoral trade platforms, bringing together enterprises of all sizes, government institutions, development partners, international participants and the public.
As for this year, the society has, however, decided to expand the scope and enable entrepreneurs to network through the B2B engagement and also get further information from national business support institutions, he explained.
!Hoaeb explained that the business forum supplements the role of the trade fair by creating a platform for linkages between local and foreign businesses.
It ensures that businesses that are looking for opportunities for market expansion, capital investments, and exposure to innovative ideas meet and engage.
“Businesses need encouragement to meet peers and collaborate for exchange of ideas and expertise,” he stated.
Adding that businesses sometimes operate in very remote areas and do not have access to information that can lower their costs of doing business, financiers, and potential off-takers.
“The entrepreneurs in the north have to always travel far to access suppliers, or are trading through middlemen, which makes them uncompetitive, but it is the role of trade promoting institutions to bring together a business ecosystem of suppliers and buyers and traders,” stated !Hoaeb.
According to the organising society, the interest in OATF 2026 has remained strong.
More than 1,800 applications were received for approximately 487 available exhibition spaces.
OATF 2026 has also showcased its value through its direct contribution to the local economy through temporary employment, procurement opportunities, and increased demand for local goods and services.
A total of 71 temporary employment opportunities have been created directly by the OATF for young people in Ongwediva, who have been engaged in various operational and support functions during the event.
In addition, 116 security personnel have been recruited to support safety and security operations throughout the Trade Fair period.
Together, these interventions account for at least 187 temporary employment opportunities associated with the operational delivery of OATF 2026.
The figures have, however, not included additional employment created independently by exhibitors, contractors, suppliers and businesses servicing the Trade Fair.
These include personnel engaged in sales, promotions, logistics, transportation, catering, stand management and other support services.
The nine-day event stimulates activity across accommodation establishments, restaurants, retail outlets, transport services, fuel stations, informal businesses and other service industries within Ongwediva and surrounding areas.
The Business Forum is scheduled for Monday, 24 August, with various business support institutions and regional leadership expected.
erastus@thevillager.com.na
