Annual Ongwediva Trade Fair The Biggest In Namibia

25 Aug 2023

From 25 August to 02 September all roads lead to Ongwediva for the annual trade fair in north-central Namibia, the biggest commercial trade event in Namibia. 

With its close proximity to Ondangwa and Oshakati and a short distance to the Angolan border, the OATF displays an interesting mix of large companies and government institutions manning exhibition stalls and small enterprises along with vendors selling traditional food and dishes.  

In 2020 and 2021, the OATF did not take place due to Covid-19. This year some 450 exhibitors booked stalls. The theme for the 22nd OATF is ‘Embracing a sustainable economy, linking smart markets’.  

Not only local exhibitors will be present, but also from Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, China, Germany, Japan and the USA have booked stalls.  

 

The OATF is organised by the Ongwediva municipality and in 2022 attracted 368 exhibitors and 90,000 visitors. There is also a focus on agriculture, farming and livestock. 

Entrance for visitors is free, this makes the OATF widely accessible for the population. 

For the first time the OATF had a virtual component to be repeated this year. “The town council decided to offer a hybrid event last year, for exhibitors to showcase their products physically and virtually, which was a huge success”, said the spokesperson of the Ongwediva municipality Jackson Muma. 

The OATF is also an attraction for tourists.

Brigitte Weidlich