Businesses in Outapi are looking forward to the economic opportunities created by the annual Olufuko Cultural Festival, with accommodation providers, food vendors, transport operators, retailers and exhibitors among those benefiting from the influx of visitors to the town.
The 2026 festival is underway at the Olufuko Centre under the theme “Our Culture, Our Pride, Our Heritage”, with the official opening scheduled for Friday.
The event has increasingly grown beyond a cultural gathering into a platform that brings customers to local businesses and creates opportunities for small and emerging entrepreneurs.
“The festival has grown beyond a viral platform for cultural preservation, social unity and socio-economic development. Each year, it attracts thousands of visitors, stimulating the local economy through opportunities for businesses, transport operators, food vendors and accommodation providers while positioning Outapi as a cultural tourism destination,” said Outapi Town Council spokesperson Joolokeni Haidula.
For accommodation providers, the arrival of visitors and exhibitors creates increased demand for rooms and other services.
Outapi has several accommodation establishments, including Outapi Town Hotel, Shaduka Guesthouse, P Wake Guesthouse and other smaller facilities, which stand to benefit from visitors staying in the town during the festival period.
The benefits also extend to restaurants and food vendors, as visitors attending the festival require meals, refreshments and traditional food.
For exhibitors, Olufuko provides both an immediate market and exposure to potential customers.
More than 150 exhibitors are taking part, including corporate companies, government ministries, agricultural enterprises, SMEs, artists, food vendors and fishing companies.
One of the local businesses that has embraced the opportunity is John Nashilongo of Nashilongo trading cc.
Nashilongo said participating in the festival allows businesses to introduce themselves and their products to a wider audience.
“Festivals like this are very important to us because they showcase, they make the nation aware of our companies, of our existence. So, bringing people together always is very important, and we feel like it’s an honour for my business to be part of Olufuko,” Shilongo said.
The festival also creates opportunities for artisans and producers of traditional products to market their work.
Previous editions have attracted businesses selling cultural crafts, clothing, food and other locally produced goods, helping entrepreneurs connect with customers from outside Omusati.
The economic benefits are not limited to the festival venue.
Increased traffic in Outapi means transport operators, fuel stations, supermarkets, shops and other service providers can also experience increased business as visitors move around the town.
Outapi Town Council has previously described Olufuko as an economic booster for the region, with visitors contributing to the local economy through purchases and accommodation bookings.
As the festival continues to grow, local businesses see it as an important annual opportunity to increase sales, gain exposure and attract new customers, while the town benefits from being positioned as a cultural and tourism destination.
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