Allexer Namundjembo
Otjozondjupa governor John Julius //Khamuseb has urged local entrepreneurs to reposition themselves for success under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He said the region must embrace investment, skills, and technology to drive growth.
“I know that many businesses are faced with many challenges in their daily operations. It is our collective desire to see a vibrant economy that is able to create jobs for the youth and most vulnerable groups of our society,” //Khamuseb said on Friday.
“This meeting will teach you how to bring investment opportunities to you through capital, jobs, skills and technology. Please grab this valuable information… and expand your businesses accordingly.”
He was speaking at a high-level regional ministerial business engagement held at the Otjozondjupa regional council conference hall, aimed at unlocking local economic potential through AfCFTA.
//Khamuseb said the ministry of international relations and trade must help create an environment that supports investment.
“It has a role to create a conducive environment for investments and to provide necessary guidance to potential business people… to ensure that there is an efficient and effective administrative and regulatory framework in place,” he said.
The deputy mayor of Otjiwarongo, Julienda Kampungu, officially opened the meeting and welcomed international relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi along with other national and regional dignitaries.
Kampungu said AfCFTA holds transformative potential for Otjiwarongo.
“Our small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the local economy. They drive job creation, spark innovation, and anchor our communities.”
She urged local business leaders to take advantage of the opportunity.
“This is our time to connect Otjiwarongo to Africa’s economic renaissance. Let us act with intention, think beyond our boundaries, and ensure that the opportunities created by the AfCFTA benefit every household, especially our youth, women entrepreneurs, and rural communities.”
The engagement is part of a series of consultations across all 14 political regions of Namibia on the AfCFTA.
