Chamber of commerce launches branch leadership elections

The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has officially launched nationwide branch leadership elections to strengthen the voice of Namibia’s private sector.

Small and medium enterprise development officer Antonia Dumbu says the organisation is also prioritising the revitalisation of executive committees (excos).

“This initiative arises following several years without formal branch leadership structures. The election process kicked off in the northern regions on 17 April, where representatives visited 18 towns and village councils to engage with local entrepreneurs.”

Dumbu says the engagements focused on sharing insights about the chamber’s mandate and facilitating preparations for branch-level annual general meetings (AGMs).

Seven branches – Ruacana, Oshakati, Ongwediva, Ondangwa, Helao Nafidi, Eenhana, and Okongo – have successfully elected new excos comprising five to seven local business leaders.

“These excos will serve as crucial representatives of their communities, advocating for policies that foster business growth and actively participating in key decision-making processes,” Dumbu says.

She says each committee also ensures representation for micro-entrepreneurs, promoting inclusive participation.

NCCI chief executive Titus Nampala stresses the importance of a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem for Namibia’s economic transformation, saying: “Organised business structures, like NCCI branches, are essential to shaping policy, fostering innovation, and improving local investment conditions.”

The remaining branches are anticipated to conduct their elections in the coming weeks, with schedules for the eastern, southern, and central regions (excluding Gobabis and Walvis Bay, which have already completed their elections) to be announced soon.

Notably, Swakopmund is also set to elect its exco this month.

A total of 39 exco members are elected across seven branches, of which three chairpersons are men, three are women, four deputy chairpersons are men, and two are women.

The exco members consist of 16 men and 11 women.

After the AGMs, all exco members will undergo a thorough orientation to equip themselves to drive impactful local initiatives effectively.

The NCCI calls on both local and political leaders to collaborate with elected business representatives to build a more resilient and inclusive economy.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.