Windhoek: First National Bank (FNB) has committed N.dollars 200,000 to Business Summit Namibia, which takes place in Windhoek this weekend. The summit aims to enhance the entrepreneurial landscape by focusing on the power of storytelling to inspire and educate small business owners.
According to Namibia Press Agency, FNB’s Head of SME Banking, Nesdha De Jong, emphasized the bank’s broader commitment to supporting entrepreneurs beyond its banking products. “This is a social responsibility. We are not just there to help you through a banking perspective, we are there to walk the journey with you by providing you hope, fuelling your ambitions to become successful,” De Jong stated.
The summit will feature both local and international speakers, with a focus on entrepreneurial storytelling. De Jong highlighted the importance of sharing successful entrepreneurial stories that often get lost in the noise. By encouraging the sharing of lived experiences and networking, the summit aims to equip SMEs with practical knowledge applicable across the sector.
Keynote speaker Connie Ferguson, a South African entrepreneur and media executive, has been invited to inspire Namibian entrepreneurs to think beyond local boundaries. De Jong noted that while Ferguson’s participation has garnered attention, the summit’s core focus remains on local entrepreneurs and their stories.
In addition to inspirational talks, FNB is developing tools to assist SMEs with compliance requirements. De Jong mentioned that they are integrating bank statements with an accounting system, allowing users to pull their NamRA statements directly from the FNB App.
De Jong affirmed that the summit represents the start of a long-term engagement strategy aimed at supporting SMEs. “It’s not going to stop here. It is the beginning of many,” he concluded.
Jointly hosted by First National Bank Namibia and the City of Windhoek, in collaboration with the organisers of Business Summit Namibia, the event will include panel discussions and exhibitions by local businesses, providing a platform for first-hand stories from successful local entrepreneurs within Namibia’s SME landscape.