The ecosystem of opportunity in Namibia is undergoing a radical shift as the traditional focus on the central administrative hub of Windhoek begins to give way to a more decentralised and inclusive model of economic empowerment. At the heart of this transformation is the Ohangwena Regional Governor’s Office, which has recently secured a landmark partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation to launch a dedicated entrepreneurship programme for the 2026 cycle. This collaboration is not merely a regional win but a national milestone that demonstrates the power of local government acting as a sophisticated bridge to global philanthropic capital. For the youth of Ohangwena and indeed the entire country, this partnership proves that the “tyranny of distance” is being dismantled by strategic leadership and a commitment to providing the tools of self-reliance directly to the doorsteps of those who need them most.
Entrepreneurship in the northern regions has historically been characterised by survivalist activities such as small-scale trading and subsistence farming that, while vital, often lack the capital and formal training required to scale into sustainable industries. The introduction of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s model changes the stakes entirely by offering US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital to successful applicants. This is “capital without the cage” of traditional banking requirements, where high interest rates and impossible collateral demands often stifle the brilliance of young Namibian minds before they can even register a business. By facilitating access to this global fund, the Governor’s Office is affirming the belief that a young person in Eenhana or Helao Nafidi possesses the same intellectual capacity and entrepreneurial drive as someone in Lagos or London, provided they are given the same level of institutional support.
The importance of this access cannot be overstated when we consider the current state of youth unemployment, which remains the single most pressing emergency facing our republic. To solve this, we must move beyond the job-seeker mentality and foster a generation of job creators who understand the intricacies of the modern economy. The programme does more than just provide a cheque because it integrates a rigorous twelve-week training cycle that covers business management, financial literacy, and marketing strategy. This ensures that the seed capital is met with a high level of competence, grounding the recipient’s ambition in the practical realities of running a business. It is a win for us all because every successful startup in Ohangwena becomes a hub of local employment, a contributor to the regional tax base, and a beacon of hope that counteracts the narrative of rural neglect.
Furthermore, this initiative highlights a critical shift in how we view the role of regional leadership. In the past, governors’ offices were often seen as purely administrative extensions of the central state, but in 2026, we are seeing the emergence of the entrepreneurial governor. This is a leader who understands that their role is to curate an ecosystem of opportunity by leveraging international networks to supplement national budgets. By bringing the Elumelu effect to Ohangwena, the regional leadership are demonstrating that they are not waiting for a miracle from the capital but are actively seeking out the partnerships that will catalyse local growth. This model of proactive governance is essential for the realisation of the Harambee Prosperity Plan and our national vision for a diversified economy.
As the 2026 cycle opens, the challenge to the youth is to meet this opportunity with the required character and commitment. Access to global capital is a privilege that carries the responsibility of stewardship. A grant is not a gift for consumption but a tool for construction. We must see young entrepreneurs moving into high-value sectors such as agro-processing, digital services, and sustainable energy, using this seed funding to solve local problems with global standards of excellence. When a young woman in Ohangwena uses this programme to launch a logistics firm that connects local farmers to urban markets, or when a young man develops a tech solution for water management in the region, they are contributing to a stronger, more resilient Namibia.
This partnership is a testament to the fact that when competence meets opportunity, the results are transformative. It signals to the world that the northern regions of Namibia are open for business and that our youth are ready to lead on a global stage. The Elumelu Foundation has long championed the philosophy of “Africapitalism”—the idea that the private sector is the primary driver of the continent’s social and economic wealth. Through the Ohangwena Regional Governor’s Office, this philosophy is now taking root in our soil. It is an invitation for every young observer to stop looking at their circumstances through the lens of scarcity and start looking through the lens of possibility. If we can bridge the gap between a regional office in northern Namibia and a global foundation in Nigeria, there is no limit to what our collective influence can achieve for the good of society.
From Ohangwena to the World
The ecosystem of opportunity in Namibia is undergoing a radical shift as the traditional focus on the central administrative hub of Windhoek begins to give way to a more decentralised and inclusive model of economic empowerment. At the heart of this transformation is the Ohangwena Regional Governor’s Office, which has recently secured a landmark partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation to launch a dedicated entrepreneurship programme for the 2026 cycle. This collaboration is not merely a regional win but a national milestone that demonstrates the power of local government acting as a sophisticated bridge to global philanthropic capital. For the youth of Ohangwena and indeed the entire country, this partnership proves that the “tyranny of distance” is being dismantled by strategic leadership and a commitment to providing the tools of self-reliance directly to the doorsteps of those who need them most.
Entrepreneurship in the northern regions has historically been characterised by survivalist activities such as small-scale trading and subsistence farming that, while vital, often lack the capital and formal training required to scale into sustainable industries. The introduction of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s model changes the stakes entirely by offering US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital to successful applicants. This is “capital without the cage” of traditional banking requirements, where high interest rates and impossible collateral demands often stifle the brilliance of young Namibian minds before they can even register a business. By facilitating access to this global fund, the Governor’s Office is affirming the belief that a young person in Eenhana or Helao Nafidi possesses the same intellectual capacity and entrepreneurial drive as someone in Lagos or London, provided they are given the same level of institutional support.
The importance of this access cannot be overstated when we consider the current state of youth unemployment, which remains the single most pressing emergency facing our republic. To solve this, we must move beyond the job-seeker mentality and foster a generation of job creators who understand the intricacies of the modern economy. The programme does more than just provide a cheque because it integrates a rigorous twelve-week training cycle that covers business management, financial literacy, and marketing strategy. This ensures that the seed capital is met with a high level of competence, grounding the recipient’s ambition in the practical realities of running a business. It is a win for us all because every successful startup in Ohangwena becomes a hub of local employment, a contributor to the regional tax base, and a beacon of hope that counteracts the narrative of rural neglect.
Furthermore, this initiative highlights a critical shift in how we view the role of regional leadership. In the past, governors’ offices were often seen as purely administrative extensions of the central state, but in 2026, we are seeing the emergence of the entrepreneurial governor. This is a leader who understands that their role is to curate an ecosystem of opportunity by leveraging international networks to supplement national budgets. By bringing the Elumelu effect to Ohangwena, the regional leadership are demonstrating that they are not waiting for a miracle from the capital but are actively seeking out the partnerships that will catalyse local growth. This model of proactive governance is essential for the realisation of the Harambee Prosperity Plan and our national vision for a diversified economy.
As the 2026 cycle opens, the challenge to the youth is to meet this opportunity with the required character and commitment. Access to global capital is a privilege that carries the responsibility of stewardship. A grant is not a gift for consumption but a tool for construction. We must see young entrepreneurs moving into high-value sectors such as agro-processing, digital services, and sustainable energy, using this seed funding to solve local problems with global standards of excellence. When a young woman in Ohangwena uses this programme to launch a logistics firm that connects local farmers to urban markets, or when a young man develops a tech solution for water management in the region, they are contributing to a stronger, more resilient Namibia.
This partnership is a testament to the fact that when competence meets opportunity, the results are transformative. It signals to the world that the northern regions of Namibia are open for business and that our youth are ready to lead on a global stage. The Elumelu Foundation has long championed the philosophy of “Africapitalism”—the idea that the private sector is the primary driver of the continent’s social and economic wealth. Through the Ohangwena Regional Governor’s Office, this philosophy is now taking root in our soil. It is an invitation for every young observer to stop looking at their circumstances through the lens of scarcity and start looking through the lens of possibility. If we can bridge the gap between a regional office in northern Namibia and a global foundation in Nigeria, there is no limit to what our collective influence can achieve for the good of society.
