Windhoek – Partnerships to promote inclusive and sustainable development in Namibia took centre stage at a high-level private sector engagement hosted by the United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade, attended by Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Namibia.
The two-day forum held on August 30 and 31 aimed to foster a partnership between the private sector and the government through the mobilisation of domestic resources, innovative finance, technology, and foreign direct investment.
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Namibia General Manager, Pottie de Bruyn, and Financial Manager, Loide Amadhila, represented the company.
The event focused on the importance of public-private dialogue and partnerships, and promoting vertical and horizontal integration across diverse business sectors.
It included all segments of the Namibian business community, from well-established enterprises to the dynamic informal sector.
Topics of discussion included financing and impact investing, sustainable inclusive green growth, and accelerating skills development for employment and entrepreneurship.
“This event has undoubtedly strengthened Namibia’s commitment to sustainable development and inclusive economic growth through robust public-private collaboration and integration across various sectors,” said De Bruyn.
“As the biggest bottler on the continent, accounting for 40% of Coca-Cola volumes sold in Africa, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa takes pride in our vision to refresh Africa and make the continent a better place for all. We recognise the importance of the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in an African context, as expressed in the African Agenda 2063.
“We understand that our business can only thrive when the communities we serve thrive too. Investing in communities ensures our business sustainability. Most of all, we are all Africans and are part of our communities.
“We look forward to a continued partnership with the Namibian government, industry, civil society and communities to promote sustainable development and inclusive growth in the country,” De Bruyn said.
