The Business Summit Namibia returned for its fifth edition over the weekend, highlighting entrepreneurship as a key driver for economic change.
The event drew leaders and visionaries from across sectors to tackle the country's development challenges.
Founded about five years ago, the Business Summit Namibia is a flagship initiative focused on driving economic transformation, collaboration, and growth in partnership with First National Bank and the City of Windhoek.
Its founder, Martin Nankela, underscored the summit's crucial role in the process of addressing the country's high unemployment rate.
He stressed the need for strategic partnerships, innovation, and strengthening the SME sector.
"But we also started because we saw a common enemy, and that enemy is unemployment. Unemployment is our shared crisis; it affects every home and every industry, and the truth is, we cannot defeat this alone. It will take entrepreneurs, corporates, policymakers, banks, and the government, all bringing their part, all coming together. Namibia's unemployment rate is plus 50%, and here is the hard truth: if we are all looking for jobs, who is going to create them? Even those of us who are employed must be able to think beyond survival."
Renowned television icon and entrepreneur Connie Ferguson was the event's guest speaker.
Ferguson reflected on her journey in business, sharing valuable lessons on the importance of governance and financial discipline, describing them as vital tools for sustainable success.
"We were so used to managing ourselves as artists; the business almost seemed like it ran the same, so I think in terms of governance, I don't believe we had learnt enough because we figured that we are not corporate, and we are not going to be run like a corporation, but business is business, so governance is governance. Whether you are an entrepreneur or a small business owner, you should never underestimate the importance of governance, as it has the potential to propel you to success."
The Summit has become a platform for leadership and collaboration as Namibia navigates its path towards economic growth.