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Erongo Region Governor Neville Andre Itope has praised the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) for its efforts in supporting the growth of the entrepreneurial community and ensuring benefits trickle down to society.

In a speech delivered on his behalf at the launch and handover ceremony of the Know2Grow NextGen Entrepreneurs Showcase 2023 in Swakopmund on Tuesday, Itope emphasised the importance of Namibians contributing to the overall success of Namibia’s entrepreneurial youth.

The event, which is the brainchild of the NIPDB, was first held in Tsumeb in 2022 with the aim of providing a platform for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their businesses and engage with others.

“We aim to foster a sustainable ecosystem that empowers our entrepreneurs, drives economic growth, and creates a more equitable and inclusive future for all youth who have embarked on, or intend to embark on, the journey of entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurial event serves as a testament to our collective commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and providing opportunities for the next generation of visionaries and trailblazers. Therefore, as a nation, let us remember that success is not solely measured by financial gains but also by the positive impact we make on our society,” stressed Itope.

The second edition of the showcase, scheduled to take place in Swakopmund in November, will be held under the theme: ‘Sustaining communities, unlocking growth, and promoting inclusivity.’

Dino Ballotti, NIPDB’s Executive Director of MSME Development, Innovation, and Acceleration, acknowledged the youth unemployment crisis and said the NIPDB is aware of it.

“The unemployment pandemic provides opportunities for us to implement targeted solutions such as this showcasing, which we believe creates scaling opportunities for MSMEs. In turn, this will generate new job opportunities and inspire young people to be entrepreneurial,” expressed Ballotti.

He further stated that this year’s theme is intentional as it fosters a sustainable ecosystem, promoting the flourishing of communities through the support and advancement of MSMEs.

Coca-Cola Africa Namibia, the main sponsor of the showcase, donated N.dollars 550 000, while the Swakopmund Municipality contributed N.dollars 10 000 towards the event.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The government has stepped up measures to curb the illicit trade of alcohol and drugs in the Nyanza region. This follows a resurgence of alcohol in sachets and the illegal trade of bhang and other substances in the area. Nyanza Regional Commissioner (RC) Flora Mworoa said a multi-agency team has been established to crack down on individuals and unscrupulous businessmen engaged in the trade. Mworoa said the drugs get to the region through the porous borders and Lake Victoria, adding that officials from the two countries have been incorporated into the team to curb the menace. She said the Ministry of Interior, which is spearheading the exercise, has roped in the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to monitor the movement of people and goods through the lake. ‘IOM is doing a good job. Last month they did a study on this issue, and we expect to meet in August to discuss the findings of their report,’ she said. She added that security agencies have been put on high alert to ensure that those involved in the illicit trade are brought to book. ‘The Ministry of Interior is working very closely with the Kenya Coast Guard, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and the Immigration Department to deal with this menace,’ she said. The RC said drug abuse continues to affect families in the area due to the illicit trade, adding that the majority of those addicted were youths. Speaking during the International Day Against Drug Abuse (IDADA) celebrations at Karanda Primary School in Nyando Sub-County, Mworoa said stigma for drug addicts was the biggest challenge in rescuing those affected. She urged families to embrace them and take them for treatment and rehabilitation to help win the war against drugs. ‘So many people out here are addicted to drugs, but due to stigma, most families are unable to bring them out,’ she said. According to a survey carried out last year by NACADA in collaboration with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and the Tobacco Control Board, the Nyanza region was ranked 4th in terms of alcohol and tobacco abuse. NACADA representative Samson Onyango said the report also revealed that cases of illicit brews were high in the area, with children under six exposed to alcohol. The agency, he said, was reaching out to parents and school-going children to reverse the tide. Through partnership with the County Government of Kisumu, a rehabilitation centre has been established in the area and will soon open its doors to assist drug addicts.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Farmers visiting the Nakuru Show will learn how to combat climate change through conservation tillage and the adoption of climate-resilient crops. Exhibitors, who will be showcasing climate-resilient farming practices, have their stands and demonstration farms ready for the event that opens its doors on July 12, 2023. Among the crops on display are short-rainfall maize varieties, wheat, sorghum, and millet, among other drought-resistant crops. Sunflower and Canola plants, which are known for their pure, refined edible oils, are nearing harvesting, and the farmers will get an opportunity to learn about their cultivation. Nakuru Agricultural Society of Kenya Show Chairman Dr. Perminus Migwi noted that more than 80 exhibitors had signed up and had their stands ready for the event. ‘Drought has been a major problem in our country. Our county too has suffered immensely, with the current food shortage being the reason for our emphasis on climate-resilient agriculture in an effort to combat climate change. ‘This year’s event has attracted new exhibitors, among them the Export Processing Zone Authority, the Central Rift Valley Water Works Agency, Gacheha Farm, among other government parastatals and private agencies, to showcase new technologies in farming. ‘Livestok Breeders will also have an opportunity to engage specialists in embryo transfers and other breeding technologies that will enable them to improve their breeds for productivity,’ added Dr. Migwi, noting that more than 150 exhibitors were expected. Dr. Migwi added that entry at the gates had been made easier by the installation of the fibre optics, with mobile money payment platforms open to allow easy processing of payment receipts and tickets. ‘Judging for exhibitors will be made on July 11, and the best exhibitor will be awarded on the official opening day,’ revealed Dr.Migwi while calling on exhibitors and members of the public to turn up in large numbers for this year’s show. The Show’s Marketing executive, David Mwangi, while calling on members of the public to book the dates, disclosed that Sh250 will be charged at the gate, with children being charged Sh200 as an entry fee. ‘Special parties will be accorded subsidized rates. Stringent security measures are in place to prioritize safety for guests on that day. Public health services will guarantee clean water and healthy food in various exhibition stands for a better event experience,’ he added. The show will be officially opened by the President on July 14, 2023, with various leaders expected to grace the events on various days of the week. Family fun days on Saturday and Sunday, July 15th and 16th, respectively, will be the peak of the event. ‘The COVID years kept us off, but we are back across the country, and Nakuru will exhibit in a big way. Traditional exhibitors are still here, and they will make our show a significant contributor to the agricultural sector. ‘We are prepared to give the showgoers an easy time to enjoy the show. A lot of events and entertainment will be going on at the arena, and there is a lot to learn. It is a one-stop laboratory, especially for learners undertaking the CBC curriculum,’ added Dr. Migwi.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A delegation from the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s office led by Head of Government Delivery Services (GDS), Ms. Agnes Odhiambo, has reaffirmed that the Government is committed to ensuring speedy completion of National Government projects, irrespective of when they were initiated. This was assured when the Head of Government Delivery Services made a visit to Siaya County, where she visited Ugunja on a project field verification exercise to inspect the Lower Nzoia Irrigation Scheme and the Nzoia Bridge, checking the progress on the completion of the Nzoia Bridge and the Siaya-Bondo Water Project. Accompanying the Head of Government Delivery Services were Siaya County Commissioner Jim Njoka, Government Delivery Services Directors Silvance Osele, Shitati Orlando, Melchyzedek Ochengo, and Brigid Nzioka. A total of 12,600 registered farmers have so far benefited from irrigation and drainage services in the first phase of The Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project, with 8,400 from Siaya and 4,200 from Busia counties, respectively. The project, which is 70 per cent funded by the World Bank/IDA and 30 per cent by KfW at a cost of about Sh3.8 billion, commenced in 2018, and the first lot is expected to be completed by September 2023, occupying 2,535 Ha in Siaya and 1,508 Ha in Busia. The whole project, once complete, will bring the total to an estimated 10,000 Ha across the two counties. According to the engineers in charge of the project, Lot 1 is at 83.3 per completion, and at the time of the visit by the Delivery Service team, most of the works were complete, such as the main canals and aqueduct, with the major remainder being the construction of tertiary canals at 30 per cent completion. The project is expected to support the cultivation of high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables on about 5,000 acres and rice in rotation with soybeans, maize, and other legumes occupying the remaining 5,000 acres. The Nzoia Irrigation Scheme is expected to triple the number of farmers and production from approximately 10,000 to 30,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries. The team later planted trees at Nyadorera Irrigation Scheme offices as per the Presidential Directive to plant 15 billion trees across the Country.

Source: Kenya News Agency