On the spot: Helao Nafidi expo positions town as northern trade hub

The annual Helao Nafidi Business Expo is positioning the town as a growing trade and investment hub in northern Namibia. Its strategic location at the Oshikango border with Angola creates opportunities for cross-border commerce, entrepreneurship, and economic development.

New Era journalist Taimi Haihambo spoke with Helao Nafidi Mayor Darius Shaalukeni at one of the town’s flagship events, which showcases its commercial potential, attracts investors, and creates opportunities for local businesses.

The event brings together businesses, government institutions, exhibitors, investors and community members to promote trade, forge partnerships and explore opportunities that could contribute to the town’s economic growth.

Shaalukeni said the expo goes beyond displaying products and services, it also seeks to strengthen Helao Nafidi’s profile as an emerging commercial centre capable of attracting investment and supporting business development.

He added that the gathering creates opportunities for networking, trade, knowledge sharing and collaboration among businesses and other stakeholders.

Helao Nafidi’s location at the Oshikango border gives the town an advantage in pursuing this ambition, as cross-border movement of people and goods creates demand for various commercial services.

The mayor said the town intends to build on this advantage by strengthening infrastructure, supporting local enterprises and creating an environment that encourages businesses to invest and expand.

Expo opens doors for businesses

The expo gives businesses an opportunity to promote their products and services, reach new customers, and build relationships with potential business partners.

Small and medium-sized enterprises can use the event to showcase their offerings, engage with customers and identify opportunities to expand their operations.

Shaalukeni said the exhibition creates a marketplace where businesses can engage with one another and explore possibilities for future cooperation.

“The Expo creates a marketplace where businesses can promote their products and services, establish new partnerships, and identify investment opportunities,” he said.

He explained that the event benefits more than exhibitors: visitors boost business for accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators, vendors and informal traders through increased demand for services. Visitors from across the region and neighbouring countries also expand the customer base of Helao Nafidi businesses. The expo helps local entrepreneurs showcase products to new markets and potential customers, while giving investors first-hand insight into opportunities in the town and surrounding region.

“This provides a platform for investors to gain first-hand insight into the opportunities available within Helao Nafidi and the broader region, thereby stimulating economic activity and encouraging future investment,” he said.

The town also hopes the event will build relationships that lead to business partnerships and investment beyond the exhibition period.

Investment opportunities

Helao Nafidi’s location on the Namibia-Angola border supports its ambition to become a stronger northern commercial hub.

The mayor highlighted that cross-border trade creates opportunities in retail, logistics, warehousing, hospitality, property development, manufacturing and transport. Businesses serving traders, travellers and commercial operators can also benefit from the flow of people and goods.

Thus, the location opens access to Namibian and regional markets.

“Helao Nafidi is strategically positioned as Namibia’s northern gateway and benefits from significant cross-border movement of people, goods and services,” he said.

He said the town could boost regional commerce by investing in infrastructure and supporting business growth.

“Due to the town’s strategic location at the Oshikango border, businesses have the potential to access both Namibian and regional markets,” he said.

The mayor said investors could capitalise on the town’s growing trade and commerce. Logistics and warehousing firms could store and move goods, while hotels and restaurants could serve traders, businesspeople and other visitors.

Retailers and service providers could benefit from cross-border commerce. Realising this potential requires better infrastructure, business support and investors to drive the town’s economic growth.

Shaalukeni said the council wants to strengthen Helao Nafidi’s position as a regional centre for commerce and investment.

“By strengthening infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for business, the town can further establish itself as a regional centre for commerce and investment,” he said.

Council prepares expo facilities

As it prepares for the upcoming expo, Helao Nafidi Town Council is coordinating with stakeholders on exhibitors, marketing, logistics, entertainment, and improvements to the expo and Sports Centre.

Shaalukeni said the preparations will make the event suitable for business exhibitions and other activities.

New basketball and netball courts indicate the council’s aim to create a multipurpose venue serving the town beyond the annual exhibition, he added.

“The recent development of basketball and netball courts at the venue demonstrates the Council’s commitment to creating a modern multipurpose facility that can accommodate business, sporting and community events,” he said.

The facilities host sports and community events, while the exhibition venue lets businesses and organisations showcase their work.

Sport, entertainment and cultural activities broaden the expo’s appeal beyond business.

Shaalukeni said this year’s event combines business and investment with sport, entertainment, culture and community engagement.

The approach lets residents and visitors enjoy activities while creating opportunities for nearby businesses.

The mayor said the council considers the expo a key regional event that unites people across sectors and backgrounds to drive economic growth.

Jobs and economic growth

The town aims to strengthen its commercial hub status, create jobs, and improve residents’ quality of life.

A stronger local economy can boost retail, hospitality, transport and logistics, while increasing demand for workers and services. The Expo lets businesses build contacts and explore opportunities to expand or launch ventures.

However, lasting economic impact depends on whether event interest spurs sustained business and investment. Shaalukeni said the town aims to become a vibrant, well-planned, competitive border town within five to ten years.

“Our vision is to see Helao Nafidi develop into a vibrant, well-planned, and economically competitive border town that attracts investment, creates employment opportunities, and delivers quality services to its residents,” he said.

He said the council aims to boost the town as a regional trade hub, expand infrastructure and recreation, and support local businesses.

The vision pairs economic growth with better public facilities and services to improve life and business in town.

Supporting local businesses boosts the town’s economy through goods, services, and jobs.

The mayor said the expo can showcase the town’s ambitions and attract businesses and investors.

Expo promotes partnerships

Shaalukeni urged expo attendees to build relationships and explore partnerships.

He said the event is more than an exhibition: it lets participants exchange ideas, explore business opportunities and shape the local economy’s future.

“The Expo is more than just an exhibition; it is a platform for building relationships, discovering opportunities, sharing ideas, and shaping the future of our local economy,” he said.

He encouraged visitors to meet exhibitors, explore partnerships, and experience Helao Nafidi’s business opportunities and hospitality.

Exhibitors can showcase products and services; investors can meet local stakeholders and explore the town’s business environment.

The mayor said exhibitors, sponsors, stakeholders and the community remain vital to the event’s success.

“We are grateful for the continued support from exhibitors, sponsors, stakeholders, and the community, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to what promises to be a successful and impactful expo,” he said.

The expo can showcase Helao Nafidi’s potential as a northern trade hub and attract investment in sectors supporting cross-border commerce.

The expo is scheduled to take place from 26 October until 1 November.

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