Namibia’s SME landscape has been described as being alive with possibilities—from start-ups in tech and agribusiness to women-led ventures and youth-driven innovation.
This is according to First National Bank’s Head for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Nesdha De Jongh. He made this statement at the launch of Business Summit Namibia, a collaborative effort which also involves the City of Windhoek, where the Bank pledged to donate monies amounting to N$200,000.00 to the initiative.
Said De Jongh, “It is truly an honour to stand before you today on behalf of FNB Namibia, alongside our partners—the City of Windhoek and the Business Summit organisers—as we come together with a shared mission: to build a thriving and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in our country. We are here not just as sponsors, but as believers in the boundless potential of Namibian entrepreneurs.”
De Jongh hailed entrepreneurs across Namibia for rewriting the country’s economic story every single day, often under challenging circumstances, and maintained that the launch of Business Summit Namibia further highlights the coordinated support now converging around them.
“This summit is a reflection of that unity and of the momentum we are building together. At FNB Namibia, we believe this is our time to shift the narrative around SMEs—from survival to success. We believe in a future where entrepreneurs are supported, valued, celebrated, and equipped to lead,” De Jongh said.
“That is why FNB is proud to pledge N$200,000 toward this important initiative. But more than the financial commitment, we are pledging our continued support, our voice, and our partnership to help fuel sustainable growth for Namibia’s SME sector,” he added.
According to him, this summit is not only an event but a platform for real stories, real conversations, and real solutions.
“Together, we aim to empower Namibian entrepreneurs by giving them a platform to share their journeys and insights, inspire growth through storytelling, networking, and shared learning, mobilise public and private sector collaboration to build lasting support systems, position entrepreneurship as a bold, intentional career choice—not a fall back, and spark a movement rooted in mentorship, access to finance, and equitable opportunity,” he said.

BIGGER, BOLDER, IMPACTFUL
Speaking at the launch, the City of Windhoek’s Acting Manager for Economic Development and Community Services, Leonora Joodt promised that this year’s event will be “bigger, bolder and more impactful than before.”
She maintained that for the past four years the business summit has served as a melting pot of ideas and catalyst for business innovation and further stressed that the fifth chapter of this event marks a significant milestone that not only signifies the continuation of the initiative but brings to the fore the true essence of the partners’ commitment to the venture.
“This year’s event will serve as a launching pad for new innovation and would not have been possible without the generous contributions and collaboration of the partners,” Joodt emphasised.
The City of Windhoek further revealed that popular South African actor and entrepreneur Connie Ferguson will headline the FNB Namibia-City of Windhoek Business Summit Namibia 2025.
“An award-winning actress, producer, and entrepreneur and one of Africa’s most influential leaders, Connie will be live in Windhoek to share her powerful journey of resilience, business growth, and trailblazing success,” the CoW revealed.

PARTNERSHIPS AND GROWTH
Founder of Business Summit Namibia, Martin Nankela told the gathering that over the past four years the Business Summit has grown in leaps and bounds, hosting over 500 entrepreneurs a year and thousands more through the online platforms.
“Our mission has been clear, and it is to contribute meaningfully to the reduction of unemployment by building a strong culture of entrepreneurship within the business ecosystem,” Nankela said.
“We believe that if everybody is looking for a job, the real pressure will then be, who will create the jobs. This summit exists to encourage Namibians to take that bold step, not just to seek the opportunity but to create it. This summit was created to be a critical information-sharing hub. Many entrepreneurs are unaware of the opportunities that exist, from funding mechanisms to business formalisation, membership programs, and corporate partnerships,” he added.
Nankela further maintained that the Summit exposes entrepreneurs to opportunities by helping them bridge the knowledge gaps that stand in the way of their successes.
“We have seen businesses start, scale, and we have also seen strategic collaborations and partnerships form from relationships built during these summits,” he said.