First Buy Local Grow Namibia Fair reignites support for local entrepreneurs

WINDHOEK - At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic business closures, job losses and pay cuts signified the beginnings of an economic downturn Namibians are still reeling from today. However, Namibians are known for their resilience and nowhere was this more visible than the first Buy Local Grow Namibia Fair held at the Franco-Namibia Cultural Centre on 24 September 2022.

Curated by the Buy Local Grow Namibia campaign in collaboration with the FNCC and the Local Merchant, the fair was a vibrant family-oriented event encouraging the public to buy local, support Namibian entrepreneurs and appreciate the rich culture of the country by doing their part in uplifting the local economy.

“These types of fairs are important to the local entrepreneurs because they push sales for the exhibitors, and gives them exposure. Most importantly, they help educate the nation on the importance of supporting locally manufactured products", said Rousa Shikoha, Local Merchant co-founder.

“This way we keep money within the country and provide opportunities for job creation” - Rousa Shikoha.

Since its launch in October 2020, partners of the multi-stakeholder ‘Buy Local, Grow Namibia’ campaign believe that consistent awareness as well as intentional investment in our local goods and services is the most significant way towards achieving economic self-sufficiency in Namibia.  

Honourable Lucia Iipumbu, the Minister of Industrialisation and Trade along with Sen Pang, Resident Coordinator for the UN System in Namibia officially opened the Buy Local Grow Namibia Fair, joining counterparts from the Diplomatic and Business Community in visiting the various stalls offering proudly Namibian products.

“I thank all the partners for coming together to put on such an important event. It is heartwarming that in a time that we face many challenges that you all have answered the call to start at home and build back better by supporting our local entrepreneurs, said Sen Pang, UN Resident Coordinator.

The Buy Local Grow Namibia Fair featured 46 exhibitors from local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in industries spanning health, food, cosmetics, technology, arts, fashion and home decor amongst others during the all-day market.  

“We struggle with finding an outlet that is accessible to the public at low cost so our main reasons for attending were to boost sales raise awareness and network with potential clients and service providers”, said Busi Sibanda from the Centre for Research, Information, Action in Africa (CRIAA).

Those who showed up to the first Buy Local Grow Namibia Fair were treated to a variety of local food, drinks and entertainment for young and old. Live musical performances from The Ells, The Yesterday, The SA Brass Band and Sagarias Tsam electrified the crowd throughout the day as everyone reveled in what Namibians from various industries had to offer.

“I think it is important for local entrepreneurs to see themselves win. It made us feel worthy, people were so receptive, and no one was criticizing our products. The public were just ready to support local" - Vicky Meg

"The fair validated our zest for what we do, and it has really pushed us to dare to dream bigger, we want to grow more, we want to push our business further", said Vicky Meg from Vicky’s Cravings.

An exclusive showing of six local films from the ‘Kino Namibia Film Festival 2022’, a film hub project under the umbrella of the Namibia Film Commission in partnership with the UNDP Accelerator Lab Namibia, rounded off the day’s activities.

Kino Namibia is a youth film project that was started in 2017 which aims to develop film production skills and create a networking platform for young upcoming likeminded creatives. The films shown at the fair were themed around seven (7) of the seventeen (17) Agenda 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Buy Local Grow Namibia campaign is led by the following partners who are united in their vision to promote the Ministry of Trade and Industralisation’s Growth at Home strategy, the SDGs and to find innovative solutions to achieve Vision 2030. The partners are UN Namibia, Namibia Trade Forum, Team Namibia, The Namibian Newspaper and O&L BrandX.