National Youth Trade Forum Launched to Strengthen Youth Participation in Trade

The Minister of International Relations and Trade, Hon. Amb. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, officially launched the inaugural National Youth Trade Forum at a media briefing on 11 November 2026. Scheduled for 18–19 November 2026 in Windhoek, the Forum will be held under the theme “Empowering the Youth to Access Local, Continental and International Markets.

The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) is convening the Forum with support from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Namibia Trade Forum (NTF). The initiative aims to strengthen youth participation in trade by equipping young entrepreneurs with practical knowledge, business connections and institutional support.

Bringing together youth and trade leaders

H.E. Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, will deliver the keynote address. Expected high-level participants include H.E. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

Over 300 participants are expected to attend, including youth business representatives from all 14 regions, government institutions, financial institutions, private sector organisations, trade support institutions and development partners.

The two-day programme will feature expert presentations, interactive panel discussions, an exhibition of youth-owned businesses, business-to-business engagements and the Chelete Cage Pitch Finals. These activities will enable entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services and engage potential buyers, investors and business partners.

Preparing young businesses for new markets

Speaking at the launch, Minister Ashipala-Musavyi emphasised that having a business idea or producing a quality product is not enough to ensure commercial success. Entrepreneurs must also understand market requirements, trade regulations, product standards, access to finance and export procedures.

The Forum will address these information gaps while raising awareness of opportunities under Namibia’s trade agreements. Arrangements such as the AfCFTA, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Namibia’s economic partnership agreements provide avenues for businesses to diversify their markets and compete internationally.

The NIPDB’s support for the initiative aligns with its enterprise development work, which includes business advisory services, capacity building, market access and export support.

Sustaining support beyond the event

Minister Ashipala-Musavyi called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, financial institutions and development partners to address barriers facing youth-owned businesses. She stressed that the Forum must serve as a starting point for sustained engagement and practical interventions, rather than a once-off gathering.

“Namibia’s market is your starting point, Africa is an opportunity for expansion, and the international market is a frontier we must prepare to reach,” she said.