Windhoek Launches Leadership Training for Informal Market Committees

Windhoek Launches Leadership Training for Informal Market Committees. The City of Windhoek has introduced a two-day leadership training program designed for members of committees overseeing the city’s informal markets. With around 25 such markets operating across Windhoek, the initiative seeks to strengthen management structures, improve compliance with health and hygiene standards, and ensure that both vendors and customers benefit from well-organized trading spaces.

Each informal market is managed by a committee that works closely with the City to maintain order, represent traders’ concerns, and provide leadership. The training program, which began yesterday and concludes today, is intended to enhance these committees’ ability to guide decision-making and facilitate dialogue among stakeholders.

Leonora Joodt, Section Head for SME Development, highlighted the program as a strategic investment in inclusive governance. She noted that empowering committee members with leadership skills will enable them to better represent vendor interests and contribute to the sustainable growth of informal markets.

The City of Windhoek expects that continued investment in leadership development will not only improve market management but also support broader goals of inclusive economic growth. By strengthening the role of committees, the initiative positions informal markets as vital hubs of community-driven economic activity.

This training reflects the City’s commitment to supporting small-scale enterprises and ensuring that informal markets remain vibrant, orderly, and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.