Micro, Small, and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Erongo Region have been encouraged to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to improve productivity and competitiveness.
 
Erongo Governor Natalia |Goagoses made this call at the inaugural Coastal AI Summit and SME Trade Fair held at Swakopmund.
 
|Goagoses said AI, digital commerce, fintech, and logistics technology can help strengthen the regional economy while ensuring that entrepreneurs, particularly young people and women, have access to new opportunities.
 
She explained that the summit is aimed at showing businesses how technology can be used for everyday activities such as marketing, content creation, customer communication, administration, and workflow automation.
 
“We have seen how entrepreneurs can use mobile-friendly AI tools, making technology accessible through devices that are already in the pockets of our vendors and business owners. The Erongo Region is uniquely positioned to benefit from these developments. We must increasingly complement these traditional economic strengths with digital innovation and technology-enabled enterprise. Swakopmund and the wider Erongo Region have the potential to become an important coastal hub for innovation and maritime-linked digital trade.”
 
 The event brings together entrepreneurs, technology companies, financial institutions, policymakers, and other stakeholders, with about 500 MSMEs and innovators targeted to participate.
 
It also provides opportunities for networking, investment, and business partnerships.
 
|Goagoses highlighted that the success of digital transformation should be measured by whether businesses become more productive, enter new markets, create jobs, and generate greater value for communities.