By: Annakleta Haikera
The Rundu Trade Fair raised N$552,900 during its annual fundraising gala dinner held on Saturday. This, however, is a sharp decline of almost N$390,000 compared to last year’s total of N$941,000.
The gala, which took place at the Rundu Trade Fair Centre, marked the official kickoff of preparations for the 8th annual Rundu Trade Fair, scheduled to run from 24 October to 1 November 2025.
Despite the drop in funds, organisers remain upbeat, with Town Council chief executive officer, Olavi Nathanael, expressing confidence that this year’s edition will attract more exhibitors and visitors than before.
“While we collected less than last year, our focus now shifts to attracting more exhibitors and ensuring a successful trade fair,” Nathanael said.
“We are confident that 2025 will surpass previous editions in participation and impact,” he added.
The Rundu Trade Fair has shown steadsy growth with each edition, with exhibitor numbers climbing from 104 in 2022, to 128 in 2023, and then 155 in 2024. Nathanael described this upward trend as proof of Rundu’s emergence as a hub for commerce and innovation in northern Namibia.
“The trade fair is our collective project and shared pride,” he expressed.
“By contributing and participating, we strengthen Rundu’s position as a competitive hub for trade and innovation,” he noted.
During the gala dinner, Kavango East governor Julius Hambyuka, who was representing Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, pledged N$5,000, urging others to support the event.
“The Rundu Trade Fair is not just a town initiative, but a regional project that empowers communities and drives sustainable growth,” he said.
“The Rundu Annual Trade Fair is more than just an exhibition, it is a platform where businesses, investors, and communities build partnerships to shape our socio-economic development,” he added.
Hambyuka shared that Ngurare linked the event’s theme, ‘Empowering Enterprises for Sustainable Growth,’ to Namibia’s sixth National Development Plan (NDP 6), calling for more investment in infrastructure and governance to position Rundu as a key gateway for trade and cooperation.
Preparations Moving Forward organisers confirmed that promotional activities will be held in the lead-up to the trade fair, including roadshows, a mayoral business forum, and activation campaigns to boost participation.
The 2025 edition will focus on empowering both small and large businesses to compete confidently at regional and international levels.
Several local businesses and institutions also made contributions, but overall pledges were lower than last year due to turbulent economic conditions.
A highlight of the gala was the announcement that Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare will serve as the new patron of the trade fair for the next three years, taking over from former Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa.
The Rundu Trade Fair, which first took place in 1997 to promote local businesses and attract investors, was initially inconsistent due to venue challenges.
It was relaunched in 2016 and has since grown to include both local and international exhibitors. After a two-year break due to COVID-19, it returned in 2022, boosting SME growth and regional development.
