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Namibia Unveils Convention Bureau to Drive MICE Growth and Economic Diversification Namibia Unveils Convention Bureau to Drive MICE Growth and Economic Diversification

Namibia has taken a bold leap forward in the global meetings and events arena with the official launch of the Namibia Convention Bureau (NCB), unveiled in Windhoek by the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Hon. Indileni Daniel. This new entity is set to serve as the country’s central coordinating agency for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, positioning Namibia as a competitive and attractive destination for international business events and high-value tourism.

The establishment of the NCB follows Cabinet approval in September 2023 and is a cornerstone of Namibia’s strategy to diversify its tourism sector and unlock new economic opportunities. The initiative is closely aligned with the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan (2022-2024), the National Spatial Tourism Master Plan (2025-2035), and the government’s ambitious goal to create 500,000 jobs across various sectors. During its incubation phase, the NCB is hosted under the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), providing a strong foundation until the sector matures enough to support an independent bureau.

The NCB’s mandate is comprehensive. It will act as the official point of contact for event organisers seeking to bring international meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions to Namibia. Its responsibilities include coordinating national bids for international conferences, supporting event logistics, and administering the MICE Visa programme. This centralised approach fills a critical gap, as Namibia previously lacked a coordinated national mechanism to attract and manage such events, despite having hosted 36 international conferences over the past two years, including high-profile gatherings like the African Union meetings and the Global Africa Hydrogen Summit.

Speaking at the launch, NIPDB CEO Dr. Nangula Nelulu Uaandja described the Convention Bureau as a strategic milestone in Namibia’s economic diversification journey. She emphasised that the MICE sector is not just about hosting events, but about unlocking new pathways for investment, trade, and tourism. When global decision-makers convene in Namibia, they do more than attend conferences—they build relationships, explore business opportunities, and often invest in the local economy.

Minster Indileni Daniel echoed these sentiments, highlighting the government’s commitment to modernising legislation, streamlining processes, and introducing the MICE Visa to facilitate delegate entry. She called for robust collaboration between government and the private sector to grow the MICE industry, empower MSMEs, and contribute to national economic diversification. The Minister urged investors, venue owners, hotel developers, service providers, and entrepreneurs to join in building a world-class Namibian MICE experience, stressing the need for state-of-the-art conference centres, expanded accommodation, modern technology infrastructure, creative sector services, and professional event organisers .

Since June, the NCB has already facilitated 1,186 MICE visa applications, with 978 visas issued, generating nearly N\$1.5 million in revenue. In 2025 alone, Namibia hosted 22 MICE events, including the Global African Hydrogen Summit, Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, and Africa Infrastructure Finance Summit. These events attracted over 2,000 delegates and injected more than N\$23 million directly into the local economy. The ripple effects have been substantial, benefiting local businesses in hospitality, transport, catering, event management, printing, tour operations, and retail supply chains, underscoring the MICE sector’s role as a significant driver of economic activity and employment creation.

The NCB is actively inviting Namibian businesses to register as service providers, including those in hospitality, event management, audiovisual services, and exhibition stand construction. This inclusive approach aims to build a robust ecosystem of local partners capable of delivering world-class MICE experiences and ensuring that the benefits of sector growth are widely shared.

Looking ahead, the NCB’s strategic goals for 2026 include developing a comprehensive global marketing strategy and implementing targeted MICE policies and regulatory frameworks through workshops and stakeholder engagement. These efforts are designed to further elevate Namibia’s profile as a premier business events destination and to ensure that the country remains competitive in the fast-evolving global MICE landscape.

For Africa’s tourism and hospitality professionals, Namibia’s launch of the Convention Bureau offers a compelling example of how targeted investment in the MICE sector can drive economic diversification, create jobs, and stimulate local supply chains. The country’s proactive stance—combining policy innovation, public-private collaboration, and a focus on high-value tourism—signals a new era for business events in the region. As Namibia continues to build its MICE credentials, the ripple effects are likely to inspire similar initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa, opening new avenues for growth, partnership, and sustainable development.