Windhoek
Two Namibian entrepreneurs have been selected to represent Namibia as guests of the U.S. government at a special session of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) on July 25-26 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The two entrepreneurs, Ally Angula and Tammy Knott, shared their aspirations for the Summit and responded to questions about their experiences as entrepreneurs in Namibia. Ally Angula elaborates on how the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Exchange Programme to the United States in 2014 has helped her to expand her businesses of commercial farming and her new commercial clothing line. The U.S. government programme introduced her to such practical information as branding and packaging for a U.S. market, she says. “A Namibian made product can be a quality product,” says Angula.
Young entrepreneur,Knott, shares her aspirations about the Global Entrepreneurship Summit helping her scale up her business. Knott has established a natural skin care line, a high-end product founded on a community-based enterprise that employs rural area women, experts in traditional extracts. “My product represents a story that tells the story of Namibia to the rest of the world,” she says. “I’m interested in learning from other entrepreneurs at the Summit how to create more platforms for other women.”
Launched by President Barack Obama in 2009, the Global Entrepreneurship Summit brings together entrepreneurs and investors from across Africa and around the world annually to showcase innovative projects, exchange new ideas, and help spur economic opportunity. GES Youth & Women 2015 will provide emerging youth and women entrepreneurs with an opportunity to connect with investors, businesses, service providers and non-profits to build their skills, create relationships, and expand opportunities to grow their businesses. It will also build the confidence necessary for participants to be successful during the larger GES, which will host over 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and organizations interested in investing in entrepreneurs.
In its sixth year, this year’s GES represents for the first time, the Global Entrepreneurship Summit ???? which will be held in sub-Saharan Africa. Obamas is part taking in the summit and the 2015 GES agenda will focus on generating new investments for entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on women and youth. The key goals of the GES are to facilitate the exchange of views and ideas between global business leaders and entrepreneurs; train entrepreneurs, especially women and youth; and to strengthen networking and alliances among entrepreneurs around the world. Each GES features international and regional experts in start-ups, financing and scaling high-growth entrepreneurs.