There are a number of commercial enterprises and small workshops in Ongwediva. The main shops are wholesalers, supermarkets, general dealers, and dry cleaners, while the majority of workshops are garages, service stations, brick-making factories and cloth-making enterprises, as well as motels offering bed and breakfast. Ongwediva accommodates the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, which takes place every year at the Ongwediva Trade Centre.
There are also office facilities in the town accommodating big institutions like Northern Electricity Co, NamPower, NATiS, etc.
House construction is currently the most active economic activity in Ongwediva. It contributes 75% of the Council's total income yearly. There is a high demand for modern housing in Ongwediva. Currently there are approximately 4 000 people living in the informal area within the Town Council's commonage.
International Co-operation
In 1996 and 1998 the Town Council signed the Treaties of Friendship with the Towns of Ardooie and Lommel, both in Belgium. The purpose of the treaty, amongst other things, include the promotions of bonds friendship between their citizens through co-operation in the spirit of mutual understanding and the willingness to help each other and to learn from each other.
Development Prospects
Generally there is a big demand for serviced development of land for commerce and industry. In response to this demand the Town Council has embarked on big capital projects to provide basic urban services to large commercial and industrial areas of the town. Ongwediva Open Market
The council values the SME`S and sees them as the backbone of our local economic development and it is with this in mind that the Ongwediva Open Market was established in 1993 and moved to a new area with better shade in 1996. Now Ongwediva Open Market is equipped with a cold storage, car wash, play ground, 20 stalls, 8 braai areas and open space for the wood business.
Business around the open market varies from salon, barbershop, tailoring, computers, communications, fruit and vegetable as well as traditional restaurants.
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