By: Mathias Hangala
Namibia is set to participate in the upcoming Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025), Africa’s premier trade and investment platform, from 4-10 September in Algiers, Algeria.
The announcement was made by Industries, Mines and Energy Minister Natangwe Ithete, during the opening ceremony of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) on Sunday.
Organised by Afreximbank, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and hosted by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the IATF2025 is expected to draw over 2,000 exhibitors from across the continent. This biennial event is projected to generate more than US$44 billion in trade and investment deals, as it seeks to enhance intra-African trade and promote economic integration.
Ithete urged Namibian traders and entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity presented by IATF2025, emphasising the country’s strategic location as a gateway to African markets.
“I am using this opportunity to call upon our traders and innovators to use Namibia’s position as the gateway to Africa and connect with the continental market,” said Ithete. “There is power in marketing your products here at trade fairs, because it gives you access to a wide market, including over 1 billion consumers through the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he added.
He also highlighted the potential for Namibian products – such as leather goods, beef and beef products, and conservancy crafts – to reach new markets beyond the country’s borders.
“The AfCFTA breaks down barriers, opens borders, and creates one of the largest markets in the world,” he added. “Let us continue to add value to our raw materials, use trade fairs to launch such products, and seize the AfCFTA opportunity to expand exports, attract investment, and position our country as a competitive player in Africa’s new era of trade,” Ithete noted.
His remarks come at a time when Africa is navigating the aftermath of recent global trade tensions, including reduced aid and increased tariffs on exports, particularly during the Trump administration. These developments have reinforced the need for stronger intra-African trade ties and economic collaboration.
ONGWEDIVA ANNUAL TRADE FAIR FAIR CONTINUES TO GROW
The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), which began in 2000 with modest roots at the former Ongwediva College of Education, has grown into a major event on Namibia’s business calendar. This year’s edition features 450 exhibitors, including 26 international participants from countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Indonesia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa.
“I have witnessed the growth of the Ongwediva Trade Fair from its humble beginnings to a now prominent event on the Namibian calendar,” said Ithete. “It is commendable that this great initiative is still going strong and improving every year,” he added.
The OATF serves as a vital platform for businesses to network, showcase products, and explore partnerships. This environment, Ithete stressed, should be leveraged by Namibian businesses to prepare for larger continental stages like the IATF2025.
As Namibia heads towards the continental trade fair in September, both government and industry players are encouraged to align their strategies to fully harness the benefits of regional trade integration under the AfCFTA.
