Nedbank Namibia has contributed N.dollars 100 000 to the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB)’s High Potential Pool programme.
Under the Know2Grow umbrella, the programme aims to accelerate the growth trajectory of promising, export-ready micro and small businesses through international business linkages, trade missions and international trade fairs, coaching and mentoring, product testing, product certification and licensing, business model and process improvement as needed.
At a media briefing on Thursday, Sam Ikela, Nedbank Namibia’s Head of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), stated that by connecting into foreign markets and utilising the power of global connections, small enterprises can genuinely realise their growth potential.
Ikela said Nedbank’s involvement in sectors such as green hydrogen implies that MSMEs wishing to participate in the green energy transition can receive substantial assistance and guidance.
“Nedbank Namibia firmly believes that integrating SMEs into the mainstream economy is crucial for our nation’s economic recovery,” he said.
Dino Ballotti, NIPDB’s Executive Director for MSME Development, Innovation and Acceleration, stated that the NIPDB’s ambitious target is to empower 3 000 MSMEs by the end of this year, and that this collaboration with Nedbank is an integral part of that vision, providing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to grow their businesses and expand their influence across the MSME sector.
Currently, the High Potential Pool includes roughly 60 MSMEs from across the country, covering a variety of industries such as cosmetology, food processing, and manufacturing, among others, according to Ballotti.
“Through the High Potential Pool, the NIPDB aims to contribute towards the creation of a pool of MSMEs that are future-focused, resilient and playing an integral part in driving Namibia’s economy forward,” he said.
More than 20 export-ready MSMEs have already benefited from this initiative by being selected to participate in international events related to investment promotion.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency