Trading across borders…Mwoonde builds her business in Oshikango

While some businesses close their doors at the end of the day, Olivia Mwoonde keeps hers open around the clock to serve customers whose journeys between Namibia and Angola do not follow ordinary business hours.

Operating in the busy border town of Oshikango, Mwoonde has built her business around cross-border trade, sourcing products from both countries and comparing prices to find goods she can sell at competitive prices.

She started by selling clothes but soon realised that expanding her business was necessary to increase her income. Oshikango, with its large customer base and business opportunities, offered a chance to reach more customers.

“I was inspired to move my business to Oshikango because it has a high population, many customers, and more business opportunities,” Mwoonde said.

She said she had noticed growth since relocating to the border town, where access to the Namibian and Angolan markets allows her to compare prices and choose where to source her products.

“Access to both markets gives me a wider variety of products, better prices, and opportunities to make more profit,” she said.

Operating near the Angolan border also exposes her business to differences in prices and currencies, which she sees as an opportunity to improve her profit margins. However, she must monitor currency fluctuations and calculate her costs carefully to avoid losses.

Mwoonde’s business operates 24 hours a day, allowing her to serve customers at different times, including people travelling between Namibia and Angola.

“Operating my business 24 hours a day allows me to serve customers at different times,” she said, adding that the extended hours create more sales opportunities and make shopping more convenient for customers.

However, trading in a border town comes with challenges that can affect both her stock and income.

Mwoonde said she has encountered scammers, bad weather, currency fluctuations and situations in which suppliers deliver goods she did not order. She also identified challenges involving the freezing of goods.

She manages these difficulties by exercising caution when dealing with suppliers, checking goods before making payments, monitoring currency changes and planning to minimize losses.

Despite these setbacks, she continues to look for ways to distinguish her business from other traders. Her approach includes stocking products that are different from those sold by competitors, focusing on items in demand and offering competitive prices.

“The strategies I use to grow my business include selling unique products that are different from those offered by other traders, focusing on products that are in demand, and offering competitive prices,” she said.

Building relationships with customers is another part of her business strategy. Mwoonde negotiates with buyers and allows trusted customers to pay later when they receive their salaries.

This approach gives some customers flexibility while helping them maintain relationships that can encourage repeat business. It also requires her to exercise judgement about whom she trusts to settle their accounts later.

Looking ahead, Mwoonde wants to expand her business, introduce more products that meet customers’ needs and increase her profits. She also plans to advertise daily to attract new customers and keep her products visible, including during periods when sales are low.

Her experience has shaped the advice she gives other women who want to establish or grow their own businesses. She encourages them to remain persistent through difficult periods and to manage their money carefully.

“Learn to save and reinvest your profits instead of spending business money on personal needs,” she advised.

She also urges women to continue promoting their products even when sales are slow, explaining that patience, discipline and consistency are important when building a business.

“Be hardworking, patient, disciplined, and consistent because success takes time,” Mwoonde
said.

She believes setbacks should not prevent women from pursuing their goals, encouraging them to learn from mistakes and continue working towards their ambitions.

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