On Africa Day, 25 May 2022, The Economic Leadership Council of Namibia hosted Day 3 of its initiative at the Discover Namibia Intra Africa Trade Expo and Africa Business Summit in Swakopmund.
The initiative’s main goal was to connect and unite Africans to build new economic networks for the Africa envisioned. The function covered a large scale of areas which include identifying aspects that both positively and negatively impact economic growth in Africa. Hence, it looked at reasons for problems causing hindrance in economic sectors and business structures in Namibia and Africa, and it looked at solutions that would assist in overcoming existing challenges and preparing for possible challenges in future.
The function was conducted by various experts such as renowned organization leaders including Fluksman Samuehl, the current CEO of the Luderitz Waterfront and the CEO of Letshego Namibia, Ester Kali. Other members of the function ranged from managers such as Elisa Hasheela, Namport’s customer care manager, entrepreneurs such as Nrupersh Soni, who is also a journalist and founder of the digital creator, Facilit8 Namibia, as well as more inspiring pushers for change. These speakers analysed the economical position of African countries and Africa as a whole.
The experts listed various issues such as lack of basic digital education, lack of financial support for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE’s) and lack of information and knowledge about existing platforms, programmes and organizations that provide and offer opportunities for business owners, those who are keen to learn, and those interested in developing new and grand business ideas.
As individuals and institutions, they have proposed multiple methods and encouraged for ways in which can be followed and used to move forward. These include, providing digital infrastructure, strengthening policies, investing in African businesses, training the youth and inspiring innovation and transformation.
Namibia Investment Fund (NIF) found that the major impediment of Namibia’s progress is the “lack of an economy matured and fluid enough to provide patient cash that will allow the entrepreneurs to evolve their ideas” to the point that they become economically viable or unsuccessful. Just as NIF, the Africa Economic Leadership Council (AELC) recognizes that Namibia and African countries are not short of ideas to resolve their own challenges.
By Maria Haipinge
