Foreign direct investment fuels economic growth in a developing economy, but the greater importance of domestic investment must never be ignored. Sustained economic growth hinges on a country’s ability to facilitate the development of an enterprise culture and foster entrepreneurship…

THE MAJORITY OF businesses in Namibia operate in the informal sector. Their business premises are usually a corner at the residence of the property’s owner, a stall at an open market, or a rickety table on the pavement outside a…

A feeling of sadness engulfed my colleagues and I on the final day of a youth programme at Otjimbingwe this week. Working with 29 youngsters over the three days was both inspirational and energising in equal ways. It is difficult…

The iconic American company Boeing was founded in 1916 by entrepreneurial lumber industrialist-turned-aviation pioneer William Edward Boeing. Boeing’s entrepreneurial journey started in timber but his passion was aviation and horses. He replicated his business expertise in aircraft design, manufacturing and…

Electioneering has dominated international news headlines for months now, at times nauseatingly so. One is sometimes left wondering if there is anything else of significance happening in the world. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems, a non-governmental organisation, reports that…

The poor state of infrastructure in many areas of Africa impedes economic growth by up to 2% annually, according to a recent World Bank study. For many years, reports from the International Monetary Fund and other multilateral institutions highlighted the…

Ask successful entrepreneurs to share their business secrets, and it’s likely things like focus, determination and financial discipline will be mentioned. However, I would wager a bet that providing optimal customer service should top the list. Enterprises can do little…

Working with entrepreneurs, one discovers that for most of them, success did not come easy. It came with a great deal of sweat and toil, long working hours, short holidays and little time for socialising. With zeal, determination and perseverance,…

It is well known that Otjimbingwe is a settlement in the Karibib electoral constituency of the Erongo administrative region. What is not widely known is Otjimbingwe’s historical significance. I only stumbled upon Otjimbingwe’s history through preparing for a work assignment…

To give credit where credit is due is to acknowledge accomplishments. The government deserves credit for changes made to the way directors are selected and appointed to serve on the boards of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). It is not uncommon to…

The distinct meaning of myth and fallacy are frequently misunderstood. A myth is a widely held false belief or idea, often based on tradition or culture, but with no factual basis. It tends to be a story passed down through…

Over the past weeks officialdom and bureaucrats have vociferously urged Namibia’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to make use of preferences ushered in by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. This means they must export goods and services…