Business growth in focus
Business owners, entrepreneurs and industry leaders gathered in Windhoek on Wednesday for the Nedbank Future of Business Conference, where discussions centred on how Namibian companies can remain competitive and grow in a changing economic environment.
Held at Droombos Estate under the theme The Resilient Business: Adapt, Innovate and Lead, the conference brought together speakers from banking, economics, technology, branding and enterprise development.
Discussions focused on strengthening business operations, improving access to finance, adopting new technologies and identifying opportunities for growth.
Opening the conference, Nedbank Chief Commercial Officer JG van Graan said resilience had become essential for businesses operating in an evolving economy.
He said resilience meant "adapting to change, embracing innovation and leading with confidence", while maintaining a long-term focus on sustainable growth.
Van Graan said the conference aimed to provide practical insights for businesses navigating economic challenges. He also highlighted the role of small businesses and the informal economy, saying they employ just under 60% of Namibia's workforce, making their growth and sustainability important for job creation and economic participation.
Speakers also examined the importance of strategic planning, leadership, finance, technology, customer trust and strong internal systems in building businesses capable of withstanding economic pressure.
Nedbank Group Chief Marketing Officer Khensani Nobanda urged business owners to define the purpose of their businesses beyond generating profit.
She said businesses without a clear purpose risk becoming "less trusted, less differentiated and more expensive to scale".
"Your why is not a slogan. It is the decision-making centre of your business," Nobanda said.
She added that purpose becomes even more important during periods of uncertainty, saying it provides businesses with "a clear compass when markets become uncertain".
Other speakers included Ohlthaver & List Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr Sven Thieme, Cirrus Capital economist Ida Williams, Aurik co-founder Pavlo Phitidis, futurist and economist Bronwyn Williams, Salt Essential IT Managing Director Sonja Coetzer, Nedbank Namibia Senior Sector Lead for Public Sector and Financial Services Maggy Kamati, and Nedbank Namibia Head of Beyond Banking Roean Kruger.
