The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), is hosting a strategic workshop aimed at strengthening Namibia’s global brand visibility. 

The two-day workshop, which began yesterday and concludes today, is taking place in Windhoek. The session is being facilitated by prominent scholar Robert Govers, a senior partner at Anholt & Co. and an internationally recognised scholar on the reputation and branding of cities, regions, and countries. 

Govers, who also serves as chairman of the International Place Branding Association and co-editor of the Place Branding and Public Diplomacy journal, is leading a masterclass on the importance of building a strong and competitive national brand. He highlighted the key elements Namibia must establish to position itself more prominently on the global stage, stressing that a compelling national brand is essential for attracting international investors, boosting tourism, and enhancing the country’s reputation. Speaking at the workshop, Govers gave an example of countries on the continent with strong brand visibility. “There are certain countries on the continent, such as Rwanda and South Africa, that have a strong brand visibility. Rwanda is more involved in sport marketing and others. South Africa is one of the most recognised brands on the continent, and they have good marketing, as one of the strongest economies in Africa,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, shared one of the most powerful sentiments, stating that Namibia would have to place itself among the world’s largest to be recognized. She challenged participants with the question: “If Namibia was to be wiped off the face of the earth, would the world miss us?”-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na