Namibia has made a decisive move to reposition itself in the global business events market with the launch of the Namibia Convention Bureau, a development government said marks a new era for tourism-led economic growth.
Speaking at the launch in Windhoek, tourism minister Indileni Daniel said the Bureau goes beyond the establishment of a new institution, signalling a strategic policy shift to rebuild the tourism sector after COVID-19, diversify offerings, and unlock the economic potential of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry.
Daniel said the Bureau is the missing link needed to coordinate and grow Namibia’s business events sector, which has already shown strong promise.
Over the past two years, the country has hosted 36 international conferences, including African Union meetings and the Global Africa Hydrogen Summit, injecting millions of dollars into the economy while supporting jobs and promoting Namibia’s global profile.
“These events demonstrated our capability. What was lacking was a national mechanism to attract, coordinate and scale them. With the Convention Bureau, that gap is now filled,” she said.
The minister noted that the launch builds on key policy frameworks, including the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan and the National Spatial Tourism Master Plan, which elevated business events to a national priority. She pointed to Rwanda and South Africa as examples of countries that successfully leveraged MICE investment to stimulate broader economic transformation.
Daniel said the Bureau aligns directly with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s call to create 500 000 jobs, describing the MICE industry as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, with employment spill-overs across hospitality, transport, logistics, catering, technology, professional services and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Government, she said, has already laid the groundwork by modernising legislation, streamlining processes and introducing a dedicated MICE Visa to ease entry for international delegates. However, she stressed that long-term success will depend on strong partnerships with the private sector.
“We are calling on investors, venue owners, hotel developers, service providers and entrepreneurs to help build a world-class Namibian MICE experience,” Daniel said, highlighting the need for state-of-the-art conference centres, expanded accommodation, modern technology infrastructure and professional event organisers.
The launch of the Namibia Convention Bureau, she said, is a bold statement of intent: that Namibia is ready to compete globally in the business events market and use tourism as a catalyst for economic diversification and inclusive growth.
The Bureau is housed under the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB)
Speaking at the launch in Windhoek, tourism minister Indileni Daniel said the Bureau goes beyond the establishment of a new institution, signalling a strategic policy shift to rebuild the tourism sector after COVID-19, diversify offerings, and unlock the economic potential of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry.
Daniel said the Bureau is the missing link needed to coordinate and grow Namibia’s business events sector, which has already shown strong promise.
Over the past two years, the country has hosted 36 international conferences, including African Union meetings and the Global Africa Hydrogen Summit, injecting millions of dollars into the economy while supporting jobs and promoting Namibia’s global profile.
“These events demonstrated our capability. What was lacking was a national mechanism to attract, coordinate and scale them. With the Convention Bureau, that gap is now filled,” she said.
The minister noted that the launch builds on key policy frameworks, including the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan and the National Spatial Tourism Master Plan, which elevated business events to a national priority. She pointed to Rwanda and South Africa as examples of countries that successfully leveraged MICE investment to stimulate broader economic transformation.
Daniel said the Bureau aligns directly with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s call to create 500 000 jobs, describing the MICE industry as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, with employment spill-overs across hospitality, transport, logistics, catering, technology, professional services and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Government, she said, has already laid the groundwork by modernising legislation, streamlining processes and introducing a dedicated MICE Visa to ease entry for international delegates. However, she stressed that long-term success will depend on strong partnerships with the private sector.
“We are calling on investors, venue owners, hotel developers, service providers and entrepreneurs to help build a world-class Namibian MICE experience,” Daniel said, highlighting the need for state-of-the-art conference centres, expanded accommodation, modern technology infrastructure and professional event organisers.
The launch of the Namibia Convention Bureau, she said, is a bold statement of intent: that Namibia is ready to compete globally in the business events market and use tourism as a catalyst for economic diversification and inclusive growth.
The Bureau is housed under the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB)
