Director of Ceremonies

Ms. Roux-ché Locke

Mr. Denver Kisting

09:00 – 10:00 | Opening Ceremony

• National Anthem and African Union Anthem
• Welcome Address
  Hon. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade: Namibia
• Cultural Performance opening by Shafiishuna Culture Group
• Remarks by Co-Chair (Video)
  Hon Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, Samoa Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Samoa
• Presentation
  Dr Nangula Nelulu Uaandja, CEO, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB)
• Address
  Mr Bisey Uirab, President, Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI)
• Address 
  Dr Erastus Shapumba, President, Namibia Local Business Association (NALOBA)
• Keynote Address
  Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary General: Harnessing Commonwealth Trade for Shared Prosperity
• Cultural Performance closing by Shafiishuna Culture Group

10:00 – 11:00 | Plenary Panel: Navigating Global Trade Uncertainty and Commonwealth Resilience

Discussion on global trade tensions, geopolitical shifts, challenges faced by MSMEs in accessing finance and the role of Commonwealth collaboration. How can the Commonwealth’s shared values and connectivity drive resilience and growth? How do we reduce the cost of trade, address supply chain risks, and address financial pressures? How Commonwealth countries have responded to challenges; what has worked and what has not? How can Commonwealth countries support and develop MSMEs to export?

Moderator

• Mr Chris Southworth, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce (UK) 

Addresses

• Hon. Alvin Tan, Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore
• Hon. Aadil Ameer Meea, Minister of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives, Mauritius
• Hon. Paul Tasong, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy Planning and Regional Development, Cameroon
• Mr Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary General, UNCTAD
• Dr Yemi Kale, Managing Director and Group Chief Economist, Afreximbank

11:30 – 12:30 | Fireside Chat: Commonwealth Trade: Staying the Course to $2 Trillion 

An interactive discussion on what it will take to meet the $2 trillion intra-Commonwealth trade target by 2030 in this new turbulent trade policy environment. What additional support does Commonwealth countries require to grow and enhance their participation in global trade?

Which sectors hold the greatest potential for enhanced intra-Commonwealth wealth and/or South-South cooperation to support sustainable development?

Moderator

• Ms Paulina M. Elago, former Executive Secretary of SACU

Panellists

• Mr Anil Bhardwaj, Chair, Intra Commonwealth SME Association; Secretary General, Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME)
• Mr Henry Tunupopo, Assistant Chief Executive Officer for Trade Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Samoa
• Dr Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director, Economic Development, Trade and Investment, Commonwealth Secretariat
• Mr Olasupo Shasore San, Chair - Nigeria, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council
• Ms Beth Button, Director of External Affairs, Association of Commonwealth Universities

14:15 – 15:30 | Plenary Panel: Gender and Trade – Empowering Female Entrepreneurs in the Commonwealth

A demonstration of Commonwealth leadership in creating an enabling environment for inclusive business and trade. An opportunity for the Commonwealth Business Summit to hear directly from women business owners and organisations working at the forefront of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment on, among other things:

• Strategies to enhance women’s economic participation in Commonwealth trade by addressing market access and digital divide barriers to enhance women’s access to technology by leveraging digital tools and e-commerce
• Access to finance for women-led businesses  

High-Level segment:

Introductory Remarks:

• Ms Jennifer Namgyal, Head, Gender Section, Commonwealth Secretariat

Speakers:

• Hon. Dr Emma Kantema, Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Namibia 

Moderator:

• Ms Stacey Pinto, Founder and CEO, The Purpose Academy

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Panellists:

• Dr Janelle O’Mard, Education Officer – Business, Ministry of Education, Antigua & Barbuda; Business Consultant, JAE Consulting
• Ms Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi, Founder, The Greenhouse Studio and Greenhouse Coworking, Fiji
• Ms Nurain Janah, Adviser, Small States, Commonwealth Business Women’s Network (CBWN), Maldives
• Dr May SikSik, Founder, Canada Innovation Network
• Dr Sindiswa Mzamo, President of the Circle of Global Business Women

Audience participation

16:00 – 17:00 | Panel: Paperless Trade – The Next Frontier in Trade Facilitation

How digitalisation of trade documents can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance transparency: examining the economic benefits of transitioning to paperless trade across the Commonwealth. The role of legal reform, interoperability of digital trade systems, blockchain, and international best practices.

Moderator

• Mr Teddy Soobramanien, CEO, COMESA Business Council

High-level segment:

Speakers:

• Mr John Humphrey, HM Trade Commissioner for Africa, United Kingdom
• Mr Sean Lawrence, Director of Trade, Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, St Kitts and Nevis
• Dr Audrin Mathe, Executive Director, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), Namibia
• Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria
• Dr Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director, Economic Development, Trade and Investment, Commonwealth Secretariat

Panel discussion:

Panellists:

• H.E. Linda Scott, High Commissioner of Namibia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Mr Chris Southworth, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce (UK)
• Ms Emmanuelle Ganne, Chief of Digital Trade and Frontier Technologies, World Trade Organisation
• Ms Shriyanka Hore, Global Head, Industry Relations, SWIFT (virtual)
• Mr Sam Shivute, Commissioner, Namibia Revenue Agency (NAMRA)
• Mr Nrupesh Soni, Founder and CEO, Facilit8 Namibia

17:00 – 17:15 | Closing Reflections, Day 1

• Director of Ceremonies

09:00 – 10:00 | Panel: Invest in Namibia: Trade and Investment Opportunities in a Strategic Commonwealth Market

Exploring investment opportunities in Namibia’s priority sectors. Trade and market access: How Namibia’s strategic location and trade agreements facilitate regional market entry. Namibia’s business environment: Regulatory reforms, incentives, and ease of doing business for investors 

Moderator

• Mr Salomo Hei, Economist & Innovative Entrepreneur/CEO, High Economic Intelligence (HEI)

Panellists

• Ms Margareth Gustavo, Executive, Competitiveness and Branding, NIPDB
• Ms Baronice Hans, MD, Bank Windhoek
• Mr Tiaan Bazuin, CEO, Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX)
• Mr Johannes Michels, CEO, Hylron Green Technologies
• Mr Mbahupu Hippy Tjivikua, CEO, Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG)

10:00 – 11:15 | Panel: Leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure for Trade and Investment: The Case of Agriculture

Exploring new perspectives on infrastructure as a foundation for digital advisory services in support of production, market access, financial inclusion, investment, and policy making for climate-resilient agriculture.

Moderator

• Mr Benjamin Kwasi Addom, Adviser, Digital Agriculture, Commonwealth Secretariat

Panellists

• Mr Gift Moonga, COO, Southern Africa, Eastern and Southern African Trade & Development Bank
• Mr Twama Nghidinwa, CEO, Fudlink Agricultural Technology CC, Namibia
• Mr Worlali Senyo, Country Manager, Farmerline Group
• Ms Rama Devi Lanka, Director, Emerging Technologies, Government of Telegana, India
• Dr Fidelis Mwazi, CEO, Namibia Agronomic Board

11:40 – 13:00 | Panel: Leveraging Regional Trade Agreements – Building blocks for resilience & growth  

Exploring how Commonwealth countries and businesses are harnessing RTAs, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as regional blocs to unlock new opportunities for trade and investment. 

Moderator

• Mr Teddy Soobramanien, CEO, COMESA Business Council

Panellists

• Mr Adrian Njau, Executive Director, East African Business Council
• Ms Sekai Kuvarika, Chair, SADC Business Council
• Mr Chandi Raj Dhakal, Vice President, SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Mr Benjamin Katjipuka, Director, Policy Development, Research and Trade, Southern African Custom Union (SACU) Secretariat
• Ms Paulina M. Elago, former Executive Secretary of SACU
• Ms Natasha Stotesbury, Head of Trade Policy for Southern Africa, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

14:30 – 15:45 | Panel: Closing the Connectivity Gap – Telecommunications access as a catalyst for trade and sustainable development

How to harness universal service to drive greater access to global markets and bridge the digital divide. The use of new and emerging technologies to ensure last-mile access, particularly to underserved areas. Connectivity challenges and key solutions for the way ahead in small and developing states. 

Moderator

• Ms Vashti Maharaj, Adviser, Digital Trade, Commonwealth Secretariat

Panellists

• Mr Rodney Taylor, Secretary-General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union
• Ms Halima Letame, Head, ITU Area Office for Southern Africa, International Telecommunications Union
• Dr Stanley Shanapinda, CEO, Telecom Namibia Limited
• Mrs Achidi Judith Yah Sunday, CEO, Cameroon Telecommunications
• Mr Abilash Ram, CFO, Amalgamated Telecom Holdings, Fiji (VIRTUAL)
• Ms Eleanor Sarpong, Advisor, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

16:05 – 17:15 | Panel: Bridging the Finance Gap - Mobilising Investment and Innovative Financing Solutions

Addressing challenges in accessing finance for trade and investment across Commonwealth markets. Public-private partnerships, the trade finance gap, MSME working capital, the transition to digital finance, and development finance institutions’ role. Explanation of Banks and Digital Payment Systems in Namibia.

Moderator

• Dr Nangula Nelulu Uaandja, CEO, NIPDB

High-level segment:

Speakers:

• Dr Yemi Kale, Managing Director and Group Chief Economist, Afreximbank
• Mr Ebson Uanguta, Deputy Governor, Bank of Namibia
• Mr Philippe Camille Akoa, Director General, FEICOM Cameroon
• Mr Neil Bradley, UK High Commissioner to Namibia

Panel discussion:

Panellists:

• Dr Jonathan Pinifolo, Chief Operating Officer, Digital Financial Inclusion Program, COMESA Business Council
• Mr John Mbango, Acting CEO, Development Bank of Namibia (DBN)
• Ms Shona Tatchell, Director of Trade Facilitation Program, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• Mr Neil Shonhard, CEO, MonetaGo
• Dr Graham Bright, Head, Compliance and Operations, Euro Exim Bank
• Mr Wiza Jalakasi, VP Global Development, EBANX

17:15 – 17:30 | Day 2 Closing Ceremony 

09:00 – 10:00 | B2B/B2G Engagement & Matchmaking

The third day of the Commonwealth Business Summit will focus on practical business-to-business engagement, providing a unique platform for businesses, investors and trade partners to explore commercial opportunities, forge new partnerships and expand their market reach.

Led by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), the day’s activities will include:

• B2B Matchmaking Sessions

• Businesses and Investment Site Visits

18:00 | Closing Networking Event

Event Title: A Sundowner with a Difference – The Namibian Experience

Location: Windhoek Country Club, Windhoek, Namibia