The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) returns for its 24th edition from 22 to 30 August 2025 under the theme “Innovate – Connect – Prosper”. Observer Money chatted to the organisers. The organisers say the theme reflects the fair’s evolving role as a driver of innovation, partnerships and sustainable economic growth in Namibia.
Windhoek Observer (WO): What is the theme for this year’s trade fair and how did you arrive at the theme?
Lonia Nghuulikwa (LN): The 24th Edition of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair is scheduled to take place from 22nd to 30th August 2025 under the theme “Innovate – Connect – Prosper”. This specific theme encapsulates a holistic vision where sustainable solutions across all industries foster meaningful connections, ultimately leading to shared economic and social advancement, which aligns very well with the mandate of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair to facilitate trade and exhibitions that promote sustainable economic growth.
WO: How did you arrive at the theme?
LN: The theme for the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair 2025, “Innovate – Connect – Prosper”, was carefully chosen to reflect both the evolving role of the Fair in Namibia’s economic landscape and the aspirations of our diverse stakeholders. The theme is a deliberate expression of the Trade Fair’s mission: to be more than an exhibition, but rather a catalyst for transformation, regional integration, and shared prosperity.
It signals to exhibitors, visitors, and partners that the 2025 edition will not only celebrate progress but also actively create pathways for enduring impact. Innovation speaks to our commitment to positioning the fair as a platform for showcasing new ideas, technologies, products, and services that can address current challenges and unlock future opportunities. It underscores the importance of creativity, research, and forward-thinking approaches in driving competitiveness for local and international businesses.
Connection captures the fair’s core role as a meeting point for people, industries, and ideas. It highlights the value of forging strategic partnerships, building networks, and facilitating dialogue between entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and the public.
The fair serves as a bridge between sectors, countries, and communities, enabling collaboration that extends well beyond the event itself.
Prosperity represents the goal, translating innovation and connection into tangible socio-economic benefits. It embodies our vision of creating sustainable growth for businesses, expanding market access, fostering inclusive participation, and contributing to Namibia’s broader development objectives.
WO: What is the number of exhibitors that are at this year’s trade fair?
LN: We are currently at a maximum of 450 exhibitors; however, there is a probability that this number will increase.
WO: How many international exhibitors are expected and from which countries are they coming?
LN: 26 international exhibitors are expected. There is a probability that this number will increase. Six are from Tanzania, five from Kenya, three from Ghana, two from Zimbabwe, one from Indonesia, eight from South Africa and one from Botswana.
WO: How many people attended the fair in 2024?
LN: 74 186 individuals
WO: How many exhibitors did you have in 2024?
LN: 457 exhibitors
WO: What is the importance of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) to the economy of the northern areas and Namibia as a whole?
LN: The OATF exhibition platform does not only offer small and medium enterprises (SMEs) the much-needed exposure and access to broader markets and potential investors, but it also allows services to be brought closer to the community we serve through the participation of various government ministries/offices and agencies as well as other corporate entities that might not be operating from other regions. In addition to business promotion, the trade fair encourages innovation focused on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and technology through its annual themes. The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair is a catalyst for regional economic stimulation. It attracts thousands of visitors, facilitates business transactions, promotes tourism, and injects direct spending into local enterprises. The event serves as a platform for trade facilitation, innovation sharing, and cross-border collaboration, significantly contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of Ongwediva and its surrounding areas.
WO: What is the mix of exhibitors that are expected to attend the trade fair?
LN: This year the fair brings exhibitors from a variety of sectors, among them, fishing sector, agriculture, government institutions, tertiary institutions, financial institutions, cosmetics as well as clothing and textiles.
WO: What are some of the prizes that will be awarded to exhibitors?
LN: There will be 25 trophies to be awarded to the best exhibitors in their respective categories as follows:Best Exhibit: Real Estate Best Exhibit: Small-Scale Enterprises, Best Exhibit: Arts and Crafts, Best Exhibit: Agriculture, Best Exhibit: Fisheries and Marine Resources, Best Exhibit: Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Best Exhibit: International Best Exhibit: Government Ministries / Office / Department, Best Exhibit: Regional/Local Authority Council, Best Exhibit: Educational Institution, Best Exhibit: Health & Allied Services, Best Exhibit: Stationery & Publishing, Best Exhibit: Media, Best Exhibit: Information Communication Technology, Best Exhibit: Skin Care and Cosmetics, Best Exhibit: The Oil, Gas, and Energy Sector, Best Exhibit: Manufacturing & Industrial, Best Exhibit: Automotive, Best Exhibit: Banking Institution, Best Exhibit: Non-Banking Financial Institution, Best Exhibit: Youth Empowerment & Entrepreneurship, Best Exhibit: Women-Led Innovation, Best Exhibit: Sustainable Impact, Best Exhibit: Collaboration & Connectivity, Best Exhibit: Digital Transformation & Innovation and Best Overall Winner OATF 2025. However, all participants will be given a certificate of attendance.
WO: What are some of the new additions that can be expected this year?
LN:We are pleased to introduce an exciting addition to this year’s programme: A Business-to-Business (B2B) matchmaking session will be hosted as a dedicated segment within the Business Forum. This platform is designed to facilitate targeted commercial engagements between Namibian businesses and a delegation of industry leaders from Limpopo Province, South Africa. Key sectors represented in the B2B sessions include construction by-products, food and beverage production, cosmetics and skincare and light manufacturing and related industries. This initiative seeks to foster meaningful trade relations, business expansion, and regional market integration through strategic dialogue and collaboration.
WO: Anything else to add?
LN: Ongwediva Trade Fair Society wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to all our stakeholders whose unwavering commitment continues to make the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair a success story. This includes, most notably, our sponsors, whose investments and belief in our vision enable us to elevate the scale and quality of the event year after year; our exhibitors, both local and international, whose innovation and dedication bring the Fair to life; and our partners across government, the private sector, and civil society, whose collaboration ensures that the Fair remains a dynamic platform for trade and development.
We also wish to acknowledge the thousands of visitors who attend each year, as their participation not only fuels commercial activity during the event but also strengthens its role as a hub for cultural exchange, knowledge sharing, and regional integration.
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Lonia Nghuulikwa
