YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS WANT MORE ECONOMIC REFORMS AS NAMIBIA TURNS 36

By Uakutura Kambaekua
(NAMPA FEATURES SERVICE)

WINDHOEK, 20 MAR (NAMPA) - Despite government initiatives to combat youth unemployment through grants and support, Namibia's youth unemployment remains high.
Young entrepreneurs continue to struggle due to economic downturns, limited funding, and loans for their businesses.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has committed to creating approximately 500 000 jobs, yet many graduates still lack employment or business opportunities. The eighth administration reiterated that it would focus on expanding youth employment programmes and enhancing support for small and medium enterprises while striving to align education with labour market demands.
As Namibia celebrates its 36th anniversary of freedom and sovereignty under the theme ‘Beyond 35 for a Prosperous Future,’ young entrepreneurs are increasingly calling for structural reforms that extend beyond temporary grants. They emphasise that true independence requires a supportive environment for sustainable business growth.
At 36, Namibia must enhance support for its youth, according to Malan Kamukuendjandje, a young chicken farmer.
“Today acknowledges our past, but no speech on Independence Day can change our current reality. While I strive for a prosperous future through my business, existing systems and policies hinder ordinary youth lacking connections,” he said in an interview with Nampa.
Kamukuendjandje pointed out that the criteria for grants and loans are overly restrictive and poorly understood, urging the need for educational campaigns to inform aspiring young entrepreneurs.
“The governing bodies for the Youth Fund need to go into the community and assist with education on the necessary paperwork. Some skilled young people do not stand a chance just because of limited or no literacy. It's sad and unfair that such crucial information is not frequently available in the vernaculars,” Kamukuendjandje said.
He asserted that, on paper, Namibia should be leading in growth. The reality is however hindered by issues such as corruption, fraud, bias, tribalism, and the inaction of officials who fail to communicate crucial information to the community.
Rufus Sheehama, a young entrepreneur from Opuwo, operates his multimedia company with minimal government support and calls for structural reforms.
Sheehama stressed the urgent need to alleviate the challenges faced by young people, highlighting that they are the future leaders and require financial stability.
“We as the youth are the only people responsible for our future, to take broad action to determine whether our future is bright or not. We need funding and proper job structures,” he said.
Sheehama stated that owning a business is beneficial and urged the government to increase the youth fund and support similar programmes to encourage more young people to start businesses and create jobs for others.
He continued, “This youth fund is mainly picking youth in other trades, but in the field of business that I am doing we really feel left out. I have applied for this programme since last year when it started, but up to now, no positive response from the ministry.”
Sheehama acknowledged the president's efforts to tackle unemployment but urged the administration to also focus on the youth in rural areas.
Despite limited starting capital, many young people are entering the import and export business, including textiles, gardening, and leather production. However, there is still a shortfall in job creation.
Virinao Paporo, who owns a mobile textile enterprise, stated that this year's independence celebration should prioritise addressing ongoing job issues, emphasising the need to translate freedom into economic participation.
“Today is both a reflection and a call to action, but for my generation, it should lean more toward action. While we respect the sacrifices made for independence, we now carry the responsibility to translate that freedom into economic participation. For young entrepreneurs, this is the time to build and create opportunities, not just for ourselves, but for our communities as well,” she said.
Paporo asserted that Namibia cannot attain true freedom without economic independence and inclusive growth, urging the need for improved accessibility to the youth fund throughout the country.
“The Youth Fund is a step in the right direction, but many young entrepreneurs still struggle to access it due to strict requirements and slow processes,” she said.
Paporo maintained that investing in the youth will foster a thriving economy.
Youth unemployment in Namibia is currently at 44.4 per cent, as reported by the Namibia Statistics Agency last year. The government's National Youth Development Fund, established in late 2025 with a total capitalisation of N.dollars 500 million, has allocated N.dollars 257 million for the 2025/26 financial year. So far, N.dollars 62.3 million has been disbursed to 140 projects, generating around 722 jobs for young people.
(NAMPA)
UK/AS/EK