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The Business Summit Namibia’s sixth session held in July was a premier networking event bringing together over a thousand delegates, including executives, SMEs, investors and students, to forge connections and foster economic empowerment.
Participating this year for the first time as exhibitor, HouseFinder Magazine teamed up with Osona Village partners PIPF (Preferred Investment and Property Fund).
Operating under the ambitious 2026 theme, "Building Scalable and Formidable Businesses Through Disciplined Execution and Tireless Commitment," the summit delivered a masterclass in business development.
Property panel spotlighted widening chasm in Namibian real estate
Themed "Bridging the Gap: Overcoming Bottlenecks to Unlock Inclusive Property Wealth in Namibia," the panel discourse advocated actionable, industry-driven solutions.
Setting the stage for the discussion, Gerty Basson of HouseFinder Magazine provided a sobering look at consumer data. She highlighted the stark disparity between the flourishing high-end coastal and central property markets and the pressing need for affordable housing. Addressing what Namibians are actively seeking versus what is available, she pointed to the rental index reaching multi-year highs. The data illustrates a market where homeownership is increasingly deferred, driving unprecedented demand in the rental sector and underscoring the urgent need for middle-market inventory.
Selma Mulunga, Principal Property Practitioner at Shanin Haus Real Estate, bridged the technical realities of property development with sales and alternative wealth generation. Ms. Mulunga outlined the practical bottlenecks of upgrading and moving existing housing stock. She advocated for strategic renovations as a viable method to unlock value in older properties, specifically to serve the "missing middle." With entrepreneurial experience as an Airbnb host, she presented alternative property investment models, illustrating how everyday Namibians can leverage short-term rentals to participate in inclusive wealth creation.
Martin P. Nankela Founder: Business Summit Namibia
The property panel in action during the recent Business Summit in Windhoek
Jacob N. Nghifindaka, Trustee of PIPF with Gerty Basson, Editor of HouseFinder Magazine
From left to right: Cheryl Vries, Renchia Tiboth and Muhamed Tiboth from PIPF
Janay Swartz and Aléza Mays from
HouseFinder Magazine
Addressing land scarcity, Ritta Khiba of Ritta Khiba Planning Consultants cc broke down the root causes of sluggish land servicing. She detailed the complexities of navigating environmental compliance, town planning regulations and public engagement. Her proposed solutions centred on policy reform, urging the modernization of spatial planning policies to actively expedite land delivery to developers. By streamlining these regulatory frameworks, she argued, municipalities can significantly ease the current housing backlog.
"Jacob N. Nghifindaka, Trustee of Preferred Investment Property Fund, addressed the lifecycle of property investment. With property prices escalating beyond reach, he emphasized the critical role of professional property and facilities management in preserving the long-term value of these assets."
Furthermore, he highlighted the necessity of institutional investors and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in financing large-scale developments, stepping in where government resources are stretched too thin to support the demand independently.
Small-medium enterprises spotlight Namibian economics
The dedicated SME panel discussion explored the realities of building a business from the ground up. Panellists urged the youth to generate money from digital ecosystems rather than treating them purely as social platforms. SMEs were advised to seek out collaborative partnerships and innovative pitching rather than relying strictly on traditional funding. Local SME founders emphasized that disciplined execution, learning from established business models and taking calculated risks are crucial for long-term survival.
A call to action
The property panel made one thing abundantly clear: Solving the housing crisis requires more than just capital. It requires a synchronized effort between urban planners, data-driven marketers, property practitioners, and specialized property managers to transform Namibian real estate into a vehicle for inclusive, generational wealth. Platforms like the Business Summit Namibia prove to be essential catalysts in bringing these stakeholders together.
