MSMEs invited for Know2Grow show

The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) is inviting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to promote their businesses at this year’s Know2Grow NextGen entrepreneurs show to be held at Swakopmund.

According to a statement from NIPDB spokesperson Catherine Shipushu, MSMEs specialising in textile manufacturing, agriculture, horticulture and food processing, aquaculture, electronics, information, communication and technology, renewable energy and green hydrogen and pharmaceuticals are particularly encouraged to apply to participate.

The event, scheduled to take place from 1 to 4 November, will be held under the theme: ‘Sustaining Communities, Unlocking Opportunities, and Promoting Inclusivity’.

“The show will give these enterprises an opportunity to engage Namibian business support organisations, exhibiting their unique products and services and form valuable networks with their professional counterparts,” said Shipushu.

She said MSMEs are the lifeline of any thriving economy as their potential to create employment opportunities and their inherent dynamism make them the backbone of any economic structure.

“However, for them to thrive and grow, these enterprises often need the right kind of support and mentorship, and the NIPDB is making this platform available to them through participating in the second annual Know2Grow (K2G) NextGen Entrepreneurs Showcase,” she said.

This year, the initiative received sponsorship of N$550 000 from Coca-Cola Beverage Africa Namibia, which is working to unlock economic potential by creating employment and sustainable business opportunities, with a specific focus on women.

Registered MSMEs who are majority youth-owned and operating in Namibia for at least six months are encouraged to apply for participation to elevate their businesses by gaining access to markets through social capital, benefiting from increased visibility, expanded networks and potential business opportunities.

K2G NextGen Entrepreneurs seeks to highlight and capacitate scalable businesses from diverse sectors and for Swakopmund, the event is expected to bring a surge of tourism and amplify MSME activities in the local economy.

The inaugural edition of K2G NextGen Entrepreneurs show was held at Tsumeb from 16 to 18 November 2022, where 58 MSMEs exhibited their products and services in person, as well as virtually.

The event proved to be a vibrant hub of entrepreneurship and featured the MSME Awards, with a cash prize sponsored by ABinBev, and training and mentorship from the World Bank, recognising the outstanding economic contributions of MSMEs.

Among the participating organisations were the European Union Commission, Shoprite Group, World Bank, Made in Namibia Collections, Walvis Bay Corridor Group, Namibia Trade Forum, GS1, Trade Forward Southern Africa, Standard Bank Namibia, Dundee Precious Metals, Eris Property Group, Namibian Standards Institution, Barloworld Group and the Arts Performance Centre.

– email: matthew@namibian.com.na