Africa Hospitality Forum 2024 receives financial backing

N$500 000 injection
AHIF is expected to bring together over 300 delegates.
STAFF REPORTER
FNB Commercial and RMB this week announced a N$500 000 sponsorship towards the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) to be hosted by Namibia from 25 to 27 June.
AHIF, known as the most influential annual gathering of hospitality industry investors, business leaders, government officials, bankers and expert advisors on the African continent, typically welcomes delegates from over 50 countries for three days of high-level networking, formal business meetings and discussion of all the latest trends and developments.

The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) facilitated the winning bid for Namibia and serves as the host partner for this year’s event.

The sponsorship demonstrates a shared commitment to enhancing Namibia’s competitiveness while contributing to economic growth and development. FNB Namibia’s head of enterprise banking, Connie-Marlene Theyse, reiterated that the group recognises the tourism industry’s significance to the Namibian economy as a significant creator of employment and social upliftment and its vital contribution to other sectors.

“We are proud to partner with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board for the Africa Hospitality and Investment Forum with a N$500 000 sponsorship on behalf of FirstRand Namibia. "The work done by the NIPDB to win the bid to host the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum is commendable as it provides a platform to showcase Namibia and its uniqueness as a travel destination and provides a platform to unlock opportunities for local industry players and investors," said Theyse.

Bringing together stakeholders
NIPDB executive director for strategy and branding, Margareth Gustavo, applauded the FirstRand Namibia Group for its consistent support of Namibia, as evidenced by its collaboration on various investment promotion-related events and MSME development projects over the past three years. She added that this is a demonstration of the group’s deliberate commitment to sustainably growing the Namibian economy and contributing towards driving investments into key sectors that catalyse the attainment of the national development agenda.

“This sponsorship is not just about financial support but also about bringing together diverse stakeholders to develop Namibia. We look forward to continued collaboration and participation in various development projects that aim to make Namibia a thriving and prosperous nation," said Gustavo.

AHIF is expected to bring together over 300 delegates who will converge in Windhoek to discuss key topics including government initiatives to support hospitality, hotel development, hotelification of the workspace, investing in Namibia, and the new global geopolitical order and its impact on hospitality, among others.