Sharon Zibo Limbo has been elected by entrepreneurs in the Katima Mulilo area as the new chairperson of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).
She is deputised by Frankie Mwinga Ntemwa as the vice chairperson as elected during an Elective General Meeting (EGM) on 10 October 2025.
The Katima Mulilo branch of the NCCI has been without substantive leadership since the previous executive committee’s term ended.
For this reason, the NCCI Secretariat convened a meeting at the Zambezi Regional Council offices.
The event drew entrepreneurs from a range of sectors, from small enterprises to larger businesses, many of whom attended to learn more about the chamber’s work.
The NCCI has described the Katima Mulilo branch as one of the chamber’s most strategic regional branches.
The recent engagement with local businesses and entrepreneurs began with an information session led by the NCCI Secretariat.
The session drew many non-members, who showed strong interest in understanding the chamber’s role as a private sector platform where business owners can support the entrepreneurial ecosystem and collaborate with government and regulators on issues affecting enterprise and investment.
Many of the discussions centred on the chamber’s mandate, membership benefits and its advocacy role.
Participants also expressed concerns about the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs, including limited engagement by regional and local leaders on issues related to business development.
The Secretariat responded by highlighting the chamber’s national and regional efforts, emphasising the value of member participation in shaping policies and enhancing the business environment through robust public-private dialogue.
After the information session, several entrepreneurs registered as new members, paving the way for the election of a new branch executive committee (ExCo).
Other members elected to lead the NCCI Katima Mulilo branch are Mwaka Mukendwa, Richard Kakona, Sannety Sanyambe, Inonge Mabakeng, Michell Nguvauva and Clara Likokoto.
The team represents a diverse range of business interests, including tourism, horticulture production, accommodation, informal trading, fishing and consultancy.
In her acceptance speech, chairperson Limbo emphasised that regional and local leaders are willing to engage the private sector in Zambezi. However, she pointed out that there has been a lack of coordination and a unified voice.
Limbo said she is happy that there is now leadership in place to organise the entrepreneurs in the region and tackle the operational ecosystem challenges affecting business activity.
In his words of encouragement to the new ExCo, NCCI CEO Titus Nampala stated that the new leadership must be accountable to their business community, emphasising that regional development and transformation are in their hands.
He said their proactive engagement with stakeholders throughout the ecosystem will be essential for promoting growth and opportunities in the region.
The NCCI Secretariat praised the new leadership and reaffirmed its dedication to supporting the Katima branch as it enhances private-sector representation in the region.
-ebrandt@nepc.com.na