Local Business Development Success Story: Ndipwa Trading CC From Support to Scale

Sakeus Ndipwashimwe, founder and CEO of Ndipwa Trading CC

Building and scaling a small business in Namibia is rarely straightforward. Many entrepreneurs face limited access to finance, gaps in business skills, and the high cost of equipment needed to operate consistently. These challenges can slow progress even when demand is strong and the opportunity is clear.

For Sakeus Ndipwashimwe, founder and CEO of Ndipwa Trading CC in the Outapi Constituency of the Omusati Region, those barriers were immediate. He says limited finances and a lack of formal business expertise made it difficult to run a structured operation and invest in the machinery needed to scale. 

In 2024, Ndipwashimwe joined the Sanlam Bridge Programme, delivered by Sanlam Namibia in collaboration with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). The programme supports early-stage MSMEs through seed funding, training, mentorship and links to finance to help businesses grow sustainably. Through the programme, Ndipwashimwe received N$50,000 in seed funding.

Nipwashimwe pictured with his 2026 butternut harvest.

He said the training and mentorship improved his business operations and strengthened his capacity to plan and execute at a larger scale. He also credits the programme’s financial support with enabling him to purchase a small processing machine, which improved operational efficiency and strengthened production capacity. He added that the programme sharpened his pitching skills, which helped him secure further opportunities through the David Namwadi Trust Business Funding, Old Mutual OM SEED 4.0, and FLI.

Ndipwa Trading CC operates in the agricultural sector, specialising in horticulture and livestock feed production. In horticulture, the business grows butternut, onion, cabbage, maize and tomatoes. With stronger planning and improved execution in place, the business has expanded its horticultural production and is now recording a significant increase in output.

This year, Ndipwa Trading CC is harvesting 12 tons of butternuts, up from 3 tons previously. “The 12-tonne harvest is indeed a significant milestone. Previously, I produced 3 tons. This increase is a direct result of the Sanlam Bridge Programme,” Ndipwashimwe said.

The business has also expanded employment. Ndipwashimwe reports that permanent employees increased from 2 to 6, while casual employees grew from 0 to 20, supporting livelihoods during key periods of activity. He added that revenue has improved significantly as the business continues to grow.

Members of the Ndipwa Trading CC team pictured during the butternut harvest.

Ndipwa Trading CC is based in Okafakoishongo village, about 25 kilometres from Outapi along the Ruacana Road. Looking ahead, Ndipwashimwe says the business aims to sustain output across seasons, strengthen market access and continue building a stable base for growth in horticulture.

Applications for the 2026 cohort of the Sanlam Bridge Programme are now open and can be submitted online via this form: https://forms.gle/3m84RzbaZfBq5XGo8