‘The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair grew my business'
As the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) marks its 25th anniversary this month, entrepreneurs like Hedwig Shikongo of Oshakati's Lafash Collection are reflecting on how the event has helped small businesses across northern Namibia take off.
Shikongo has been part of OATF since 2017 and has come a long way since the days of selling clothing, beauty and fragrance products from home, with no physical store to speak of.
In an interview with Network Media Hub, she recalled how just six days at the 2018 fair changed her life dramatically.
"I earned over N$30 000 in only six days. That was the capital I used to open my shop," she said.
For Shikongo, the fair offers entrepreneurs a rare platform to showcase their products and generate serious income in a short space of time.
"What I made in six days would take me one or two months elsewhere," she remarked.
Beyond the sales, she said the fair also connects local businesses with international exhibitors, opening the door to shared marketing insights and opportunities abroad.
When the Covid-19 pandemic brought the trade fair to an abrupt halt for three years, between 2019 and 2021, Shikongo felt the repercussions deeply.
"It severely impacted us as entrepreneurs. I had to close my shop due to a lack of customers during the lockdown," she said.
When the fair resumed in 2022, the recovery was gradual. "Many businesses had failed, and people were still hesitant due to the pandemic. I didn’t gain much that year," she said.
However, her fortunes have shifted. From 2024 to 2025, she earned over N$20 000 in just six days, enabling her to restart her business.
"I can't quite compare it to the situation before Covid yet, but things are improving, and I’m doing well. There’s never a year I will miss OATF; I will always be a part of it," she said.
Customers and visibility
Shikongo said each year she attracts new customers when exhibiting at the trade fair, some of whom develop brand loyalty. Her strategic location at the entrance of the hall has significantly boosted her visibility.
"Everyone who walks by has the chance to see me. In business, having more people nearby encourages enquiries, even if they don’t make a purchase right away; many will return at the next fair," she explained.
Her advice to fellow business owners is to seize this opportunity. Although a stall costs N$3 500, the potential returns far outweigh the investment, she said.
"The fair organising team should continue to introduce diverse activities and more organisations. Many services that were previously available only in the capital are now accessible here in Ongwediva, making life easier for all," she added.
The 2026 Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair is scheduled to take place from 21 to 29 August.
