Opening sequence

In June 2022, the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade in collaboration with the Ministry of
International Relations and Cooperation, held a United States of America- Namibia Trade
Mission in Windhoek.

During the Trade Mission, the United States of America Africa Development Foundation
(USADF), a public corporation of the United States of America government, expressed keen
interest to work hand in glove with the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade, to support
manufacturing and value addition.

The USADF is an independent US Government Agency that provides seed capital to small
and midsized enterprises at grass-roots level in the agricultural sector, with key focus on
integrated food systems, capacity building, and energy access.

The foundation which launched its operations in Namibia in 1998 right through to 2016,
through the Development Foundation and the United States of America Embassy in Namibia,
supported over forty- four projects in the country to the tune of over 4,2 million US dollars.

Among some of the projects the foundation has supported are livestock farming, milling,
brick production, bakery, savings and credit associations, lobster fishing, ostrich farming,
hawkers’ association, clothing production, furniture production, crafts, chicken farming,
conservancy, and gardening.

As a result of the US-Namibia Trade Mission, Namibia’s Industrialization and Trade Portfolio
and the United States of America Africa Development Foundation, jointly developed a
cooperation framework to support and provide technical and financial assistance to SMEs in
Namibia

According to the Director of Commerce at the Ministry of Industrialization and Trad, Diina
Nashidengo, the cooperation is aimed at promoting the development of farmer
cooperatives, producers associations, and Small and Medium Enterprises in Namibia, whilst
enhancing their competitiveness on the national, regional and international markets.

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Following the trade mission, the two institutions constituted a technical committee
comprising of officials from MIT, USADF and Embassy of the Republic of Namibia in
Washington, D.C., to develop and finalize the memorandum of understanding for the two
institutions to set forth the agreement in motion.
The technical committee embarked on an environmental scanning exercise between August
and September 2023, where they engaged various farmers, farmer’s associations, and
cooperatives in the country.

Located at the heart of the Ondobe constituency in the Ohangwena Region, the Oshini
Marula Community Project has been producing marula oil for locals and the international
market. The project comprises seven active members, who mainly use equipment and
machinery sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organisation for oil pressing.

Peneyambeko Xweka alongside six other women use both modern and traditional methods
to extract the oil from the marula fruit.

Marula oil is a primary product of the marula fruit tree, which is typically found in Southern
Africa. The oil primarily comes from the kernels of the tree. It is pale yellow and has a
slightly nutty scent.

Since inception, the Oshini Marula Community Project has received technical support and
training from the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade’s Ohangwena regional office and
other donors.

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(about project)
Translation needed.

The Natural Survival Investment CC produces both liquid and bar soaps for the Okongo
locality.

They use Moringa Oleifera, neem and oleo vera plants to produce the Moreem Multi-
purpose liquid and bar soaps.

The Moreem Multi-purpose soap has a healing effect that purifies the skin, remove the
bacteria in clogged pores and drain acne.

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As the production team progressed north-west of Namibia, and explored the riches of the
Namibian soil in northern Namibia, they made a pit-stop at the Hibiscus project, located
some 80KM west of Nkurenkuru, in the Kavango-East region.

At first glance, the project doesn’t warrant any attention, however, this sizeable patch of
land has become one of the key producers of Mutete for the Kavango-East locality and the
country at large.

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(about project)
Translation needed.

Latent potential within the Agro processing value chain can benefit rural producers. This
could result in Mutete Growers Organizations, which could assist in managing and promoting
local projects in the Kavango-East region.

The Kwatoko Joinery Works supplies the Kavango - East region with all its furniture and
joinery needs.

The project specializes in metal fabrication; tables, chairs, benches, wooden cutlery, and
doors carved from Namibian timber.

Despite its contribution to the socio-economic development of the region, the project is
hamstrung by a number of challenges.

The group’s spokesperson and owner of Kwatoko Joinery, Kandjimi Ndumba says, lack of
ablution facilities, machinery as well as persistent power shortages, all continue to affect
production at the project.

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(about project)
Translation needed.

The production team proceeded to Eastern and Southern Namibia. Poultry production,
textile and retail, horticulture, and metal fabrication projects were identified in these parts
of the country.

Ambiens
Shelly Katuuo is an Accounting and Auditing graduate from the University of Namibia From
Gobabis in the Omaheke region.

Like many other of her ilk, Katuuo struggled to secure employment, which drove her to
branch out of her area of expertise and embarked on a poultry project to feed her family.

With the assistance of the Namibia Agricultural Mechanization and Seed Improvement
Project (NAMSIP), Katuuo managed to establish a backyard poultry establishment, with 30
growers.

Exorbitant feed prices and inadequate infrastructure to cater for her growing demand for
eggs, are some of the challenges Katuuo faces.

She acquired additional 30 growers from a poultry producer who had ceased poultry
production.

Katuuo sells trays of 30 eggs to her neighbors and nearby towns in the Omaheke region. She
markets her business on social media and makes a monthly profit of approximately
N$5,000.

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Talks about project + market demand.

Wilhelmina Suzanna Pogisho runs a small tailoring business, supplying school wear to the
inhabitants of Gobabis and surrounding areas.

Pogisho operates form the Gobabis SME Park.

She is among several beneficiaries who received machinery from the Ministry of
Industrialization and Trade equipment aid scheme.

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Talks about project + market demand.

Ambience

Remaining in the Omaheke region, the team visited the Kalahari Wild Silk Manufacturers.

The Kalahari Wild Silk Manufacturers, one of only a handful of employers at the sleepy
village of Leonardville, requires aggressive financial support to reap the best rewards from
its products.

Established in 2009 by Ian Cummings, a South African silk-industry professional, the

company specializes in the production of silk products such as scarfs, curtains, and
tablecloths using natural methods.
Silk is produced by several insects, but generally only the silk of moth caterpillars has been
used for textile manufacturing.

Community members form the Labour force that harvests cocoons from Camelthorn trees.

The collection of wild silk and its processing into various silk yarn and silk products provide
much needed income to community members, mostly women, in Leonardville.

An employee at the company, Wilhelmina Springbok says, the company has been struggling
to make sales in recent years due to financial constraints.

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Project challenges

Taradi! Hana Xabadi Enterprise runs their backyard garden at Mariental in the Hardap
region.

Maria Boois grows cauliflower, spinach, carrots, onions, egg plants and beetroots.

She sells her produce to the local community and uses the profit to feed her family as well as
expand her garden.

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Project challenges

Metal fabrication has been identified in the Karas region.

Pro-Edge Steel, a steel fabrication, construction and engineering company, is situated along
Keetmanshoop's Sam Nujoma Street opposite the museum.

The compmany specializes in bending and cutting aluminium/steel plates, manufacturing load beds,
rails and deck plates, trailers, shed and carports, steel staircases, steel moulds for concrete, steel
houses, braais and fireplaces.

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Ambience

Giving an overall observation of the environmental scanning exercise, USADF Senior Program
Coordinator Mr. Paul Olsen said there are brilliant business ideas that require support. He
added that there is a need for capacitation to promote sustainable business development in
the country.
Olsen noted that the role of the USADF in the roll-out of the MOU between the parties will
be crucial, in identifying potential projects that are bankable and have potential for
sustainability and social impact.

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On his part, Mr. Vinson Hailulu at the SMEs Competitiveness Consultancy observed that
there is a need to strengthen network among institutions that help SMEs.

Also known by the acronym SMEs Compete, the SMEs Competitiveness Consultancy is a
consultancy firm that helps Namibian SMEs grow business, create wealth, and generate
employment.

SMEs Compete will be responsible for the of launching of successful applications and
working hand in hand with successful applicants in the implementation of their projects.

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Speaking on the role of the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade in the implementation of
the MoU and planned implementation, Nashidengo says, the Ministry will provide technical
support and make budgetary allocation for this cause.

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Closing sequence + cedits