Staff Reporter
NO NATION can prosper without equipping the youth with skills and knowledge. This was said by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare in a speech read on his behalf by Ohangwena Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa on Wednesday at the opening of the Eenhana Expo.
Delivering the Prime Minister’s address at the opening of the 16th edition of the annual Eenhana Expo, Hamutumwa conveyed Ngurare’s call for government, the private sector and communities to prioritise investment in young people as drivers of Namibia’s economic future.
The 2026 edition of the Eenhana Expo, which has attracted about 100 local and international exhibitors, is taking place at the Eenhana Convention Centre from 27 July to 1 August under the theme, “Investing in the Youth — Investing in the Future Today”.
According to Ngurare, young people are not only tomorrow’s leaders; they are today’s innovators, entrepreneurs, workers and problem-solvers.
“In fact, they define and shape the future,” he said in the address.
Ngurare commended the Eenhana Town Council, the organising committee, sponsors and volunteers for sustaining a platform he described as a catalyst for investment, entrepreneurship, and both regional and national development. He noted that after 16 editions, the expo is now recognised as one of the country’s leading national exhibitions and the second Exhibition of Excellence in northern Namibia.
The Prime Minister highlighted the Ohangwena Region’s strategic position as Namibia’s gateway to the Southern African Development Community. He said that by improving infrastructure, promoting value addition, supporting SMEs and leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, the region can unlock greater prosperity for young people.
He urged young people to take advantage of the expo to network, discover products and build partnerships.
“Expos make businesses seamlessly shine and grow exponentially,” Ngurare said in the speech, adding that face-to-face engagement at such events builds trust, identifies industry trends and allows small businesses to test new products directly with customers.
“This is why I call expos the Oscars of the business world,” he said. “The warm handshakes you make here today will grow deeper and develop into meaningful conversations that will last for years. These are real economic momentum builders that support local value chains and SMEs.”
According to the organisers, the 2026 expo attracted about 193 exhibitors, including international participants from Tanzania and the Matala Municipality in Huíla Province, Angola. Ngurare said their presence shows that the expo is not only a local exhibition but also a marketing tool that promotes Eenhana, Ohangwena and Namibia to the international community.
Turning to the government’s role, the Prime Minister reaffirmed its commitment to youth development through quality education, technical and vocational training, entrepreneurship support, digital innovation and industrialisation.
“Our ambition should be to ensure that every young Namibian has the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the economy,” he said.
He also called on financial institutions, development partners and established businesses to mentor and invest in youth-led enterprises, stressing that sustainable economic transformation requires collaboration between government, local authorities, the private sector and communities.
Ngurare pointed to the visible economic impact of the expo on Eenhana, noting increased population, improved buying power and additional sales for businesses during the event period.
In his message to young people, he said: “Please dream boldly, acquire skills, embrace technology and pursue entrepreneurship with integrity and determination. Your ideas can build businesses, create employment, transform communities and improve our livelihoods at a personal level.”
He thanked major sponsors, including the Consortium of Regional Business People, First National Bank of Namibia and LMH Investment, for their support.
Concluding the Prime Minister’s address, Hamutumwa conveyed Ngurare’s hope that the 16th Eenhana Expo will continue to strengthen partnerships, attract investment and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs before officially declaring the expo open on his behalf.
Photo: MICT Ohangwena Regional Office
