Africa-Press – Namibia. The Coastal Trade Expo 2025, which officially opened its doors on Friday, ended on Sunday, bringing together key government leaders, industry players and entrepreneurs.
It was a renewed effort to harness the economic potential of Namibia’s coastal region through innovation, collaboration and excellence.
Now in its second year, the event has evolved into a strategic platform for dialogue, trade promotion and economic empowerment, as entrepreneurs and businesses gathered not only to trade but share ideas and mentor one another.
Erongo governor Neville Andre said the expo serves as a symbol of economic vitality and regional unity.
He stated that the Erongo region remains a vital contributor to national development, particularly through key sectors such as fishing, logistics, tourism, energy and mining.
“We are truly proud to be home to a range of strategic sectors – from green hydrogen and tourism to logistics. These opportunities need to be maximised to ensure we remain a region of excellence,” Andre said.
He added that Erongo is “pregnant with potential”, noting that while some opportunities are yet to be fully explored, visible progress can already be seen across several industries.
“Our region is like a pregnant woman – once the baby is born, everyone sees the results. But we should not wait until birth to prepare. Let us get ready now. This platform gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we are doing as a region and how we can continue building both Erongo and Namibia at large,” Andre said.
Meanwhile, deputy minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Gaudentia Kröhne, who officially opened the expo, applauded the organiser, Mary Shikongo, for transforming the concept into an annual platform that promotes inclusive growth and innovation.
“This region holds the key to our country’s growth. From the rich fishing industry to the energy potential of our emerging green hydrogen corridors, we are entering a new era – one where innovation, sustainability and value addition must guide our investments,” she said.
Kröhne reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that youth- and women-led small and medium enterprises have access to finance, training and market opportunities.
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