Staff Reporter THE statistics for the 25th edition of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF 2026) have been released, revealing a remarkable nine-day celebration of business, innovation, partnership and regional trade. Hosted from 21 to 29 August, the trade fair attracted 455 exhibitors and 76,116 visitors, compared to 450 exhibitors and 70,000 visitors last year. The programme featured 23 business and networking engagements with 56 speakers, including a keynote address by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Organisers expressed gratitude to exhibitors, sponsors, partners, stakeholders, visitors and the entire OATF community for making “this milestone edition an incredible success.” Meanwhile, preparations for next year’s event, scheduled for 27 August to 4 September 2027, are already underway. Exhibitor applications open on 1 November 2026. Photo: Ongwediva Town Council The post Ongwediva releases 2026 Trade Fair statistics appeared first on Informanté.

The trade fair brings together businesses, entrepreneurs, exhibitors and creative talents from across the country and beyond, the event continues to provide a platform for business, networking and economic opportunities. As this year’s edition draws to a close, we reflect on the journey from the opening day to the final day of the trade fair looking at how the event measured up? What were the major highlights and challenges? And most importantly, did exhibitors and visitors see the value they expected from the platform?

Bank Windhoek has received top honours at the recently concluded Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) 2026, winning Best Exhibit Banking Institution and being named the Overall Winner of the OATF 2026 Exhibition. The milestone marks the first time Bank Windhoek has received the overall prize at the OATF, making it

Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Namibia’s socio-economic development through digital infrastructure investment, impactful Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, and strategic partnerships during the official opening of the 25th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF). Speaking at the official opening, MTC Chief Technical and Information Officer Dr.

Sostenus Wilherm Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has reaffirmed its commitment to Namibia’s digital transformation and enterprise development, highlighting a N$624.9 million capital expenditure investment for the 2025/26 financial year to expand telecommunications infrastructure across the country. MTC chief technical and information officer Monica Nehemia made the remarks on Saturday during the official opening of the 25th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), where she also reaffirmed the company’s long-standing support for entrepreneurship, innovation and business development. Nehemia said MTC’s investment would support the expansion of network coverage, fibre connectivity, upgrades to existing infrastructure and the accelerated deployment of 5G technology. She said digital connectivity is increasingly important to economic participation, particularly as businesses and communities rely on technology to access opportunities and markets. “Digital inclusion remains central to MTC’s purpose, as connectivity extends beyond voice and data services to enabling businesses, linking communities to opportunities, and supporting national development,” Nehemia said. The telecommunications company also used the occasion to reaffirm its support for the OATF, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Nehemia congratulated the organisers for reaching the milestone, describing the trade fair as a national platform that has promoted entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and economic participation for a quarter of a century. MTC has supported the OATF for more than 20 years, with Nehemia saying the partnership reflects the company’s belief that trade fairs are important platforms for connecting businesses, entrepreneurs, customers, investors and communities. “MTC does not view sponsorship as simply branding. It is participation in national development and an investment in entrepreneurship, innovation, and the communities that sustain our economy,” she said. The company said its support extends beyond the OATF, with MTC allocating at least N$1.2 million annually towards trade fairs and exhibitions across Namibia. Nehemia said such platforms provide businesses with opportunities to showcase products, build relationships and participate in economic activity, while also creating spaces for entrepreneurs and communities to connect with potential markets and investors. She further called on businesses operating in Namibia to strengthen their corporate citizenship through meaningful environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and impactful corporate social investment programmes. According to Nehemia, companies should measure success not only through financial performance and market share, but also through their contribution to communities and the opportunities they create for young people. “True business success must be measured not only by balance sheets, profits, and market share, but also by the communities uplifted, the young people empowered, and the hope restored,” she said. She said MTC believes ESG principles should be incorporated into the way businesses operate, arguing that companies have a responsibility to contribute to society beyond their commercial objectives. The company’s focus on digital infrastructure comes as businesses increasingly depend on reliable connectivity to operate, communicate with customers and access digital markets. MTC said its continued investment in network infrastructure, together with its CSI initiatives and partnerships, forms part of its broader contribution to Namibia’s socio-economic development. MTC said it remains committed to supporting a connected, inclusive and sustainable Namibia in which innovation, enterprise and economic opportunities can continue to expand.

The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) is one of Namibia's premier multi-sectoral trade and exhibition events, held annually in Ongwediva, Oshana Region. It has developed into a leading national and international trade fair on the Namibian business calendar, attracting exhibitors, business personalities, government leaders, and visitors from across Namibia and beyond. The event fosters trade and business linkages, particularly supporting indigenous market entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), while also creating opportunities for partnerships with established corporate entities.

Staff Reporter THE 25th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) is open, with 487 exhibitors taking part this year, up from around 450 in 2025, when the event attracted more than 70,000 visitors. Of the exhibitors participating this year, 36 are international exhibitors from South Africa, Egypt, Angola, Tanzania, Ghana, Botswana and Nigeria. The milestone edition is expected to draw exhibitors, visitors and businesses to Ongwediva as the trade fair celebrates its 25th anniversary. Oshana Regional Police Commander Commissioner Andreas Shipingana Shilelo has assured exhibitors, visitors and the public that the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) will maintain a heightened security presence throughout the event. As part of the anniversary celebrations, a fireworks display will be held on Saturday from 20:00 to 21:00 at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre. Members of the public, nearby residents, parents and pet owners have been advised to take the necessary precautions, as the display may be accompanied by loud noises. The trade fair will officially open on Sunday, 23 August, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officiating at the ceremony at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair Grounds. Gates for the official opening will open at 07:00. The celebrations will begin on Friday with an opening live performance at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre, featuring performances by Wild Dogs, Karabo and Mentality Boy. Admission for the opening bash is N$20 for children, N$30 for adults and N$20 per car. The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair will run from 21 to 29 August 2026. Photos: NamRA/Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair – OATF The post 487 exhibitors take part in 25th Ongwediva Trade Fair appeared first on Informanté.

OATF PREPARED FOR 25TH EDITION NBC Online Sun, 08/16/2026 - 12:42

The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) preparatory committee is ready for this year's 25th edition of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair. The event will be held under the theme 'Resilient'. Inclusive and sustainable economy. This year's exhibition show takes place from the 21st to the 29th of August, and it will be officially opened by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 23 August. This year's trade fair is expected to be bigger and better, and thus far it has attracted 475 exhibitors, 36 of them international and nine from African countries. About 1800 applications were received this year, but only 475 were taken, an indication that there is an urgent need to expand in terms of infrastructure and construction of new exhibition halls to accommodate more exhibitors who keep on showing interest in exhibiting at the Ongwediva trade fair. The chairperson of the Ongwediva Trade Fair Society said, "We are calling for stakeholders, government included. We are saying that OATF is a national mandate and is a national event just because Ongwediva T.C. is spearheading it. It doesn't mean that they should be left alone, so we are calling each and every one so that we can advance this platform." The setup of exhibition stalls has begun already, and they are about to be completed in the Queen and King Kauluma Halls. Demarcation of stalls will be completed by the 17th of August to enable exhibitors to move in on the 19th and 20th of August. "We started a long time ago we are in the last phases of preparations in terms of exhibitors, access to OATF we are still continuing with our biometric entry access which we have already started since the 1st of August and we are hoping to complete this biometric access registration for exhibitors by the 19th of August." Hidulika says each year OATF improves on its safety and security for smooth exhibition; they added new CCTV cameras for tight security at the ground. "And together with NamPol as of last year, we have a 24-hour satellite police station stationed at Ongwediva trade fair ground, and it is the same arrangement as this year. In total, we have employed about 114 security guards, which is about 15 more security guards compared to last year." Some of the events expected to be celebrated at the 25th year's exhibition excellence includes half marathon taking place on 22 August and firework on the evening of the same day.

YouTube video by robatsea2009

Staff Reporter WITH the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair and the Elufuko Cultural Festival both set for this month, the Oshana and Omusati regions are preparing to host thousands of traders, performers and visitors for two of the Northern regions’ flagship events. Both events coincide with the commemoration of Heroes’ Day on 26 August. The 2026 Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair will run from 21 to 29 August at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair Centre. Under the theme “A Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy”, OATF 2026 is expected to feature hundreds of local and international vendors, corporate enterprises and public institutions showcasing products and innovations. The 2026 Olufuko Cultural Festival will take place from 24 August to 1 September at the Olufuko Centre in Outapi, under the theme “Our Culture, Our Pride, Our Heritage”. A gala dinner was held this past weekend to kick off the festivities. The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 28 August. In previous years, the two events were held successively, with Olufuko in July and OATF in August. This year, they will run almost concurrently. The Olufuko dates were moved up to align with the school calendar, as many of the girls to be initiated are of school-going age. Olufuko is a traditional practice of Aawambo in which girls aged 15 and above are prepared for marriage, motherhood and family life. The festival was previously held separately by different communities. A unified version was introduced in 2012 by the late Founding President Sam Nujoma, who served as its patron until his death in 2024. Photos: File The post Showtime in the North: OATF and the Olufuko Festival appeared first on Informanté.

YouTube video by GBH News

YouTube video by GBH News

YouTube video by GBH News

YouTube video by GBH News

YouTube video by GBH News

YouTube video by GBH News