Allexer Namundjebo
Despite continued government support, youth empowerment projects face serious challenges in achieving sustainability.
Olivia Hanghuwo, Chairperson of the National Council Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development, revealed this during a report presentation.
The findings follow oversight visits to youth projects in the Erongo, Kunene, Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, and Otjozondjupa regions between 15 and 28 September 2024.
The visits focused on projects under the 121 Constituency Youth Enterprises and the Namibia Youth Credit Scheme, as well as National Youth Service centres.
These efforts assessed the progress, effectiveness, and struggles of youth-focused programmes aimed at tackling unemployment and building skills.
The Committee found that while education and training efforts were improving, economic empowerment remained weak.
Many young entrepreneurs still struggle with access to finance, mentorship, market access, and ongoing monitoring.
“Many youth struggle to secure startup capital due to a lack of collateral and credit history,” said Hanghuwo. “Expanding financial support through grants, low-interest loans, or microfinance programmes is no longer just a recommendation; it is a necessity.”
While initial training is available, she pointed out the absence of ongoing mentorship.
“We need to connect youth entrepreneurs with industry experts who can guide them in business strategy, financial management, and innovation,” she said.
Hanghuwo said government procurement, trade fairs, and digital platforms could help young businesses connect with larger markets.
“Helping youth enterprises connect with larger markets will go a long way in ensuring their sustainability,” she said.
The Committee also raised concerns over poor monitoring and evaluation.
Hanghuwo said there is a need for structured feedback systems to track progress and respond to issues in real time.
“Without consistent monitoring, it becomes difficult to know what’s working and what’s failing. We cannot afford to ignore youth development, she stated.
She added that most youth businesses focus on traditional sectors.
She called for investment in innovation, green energy, and digital services to match current economic trends.
This is not the first time youth projects have come under scrutiny.
Previous reports from oversight visits and the Auditor-General raised similar issues around impact, coordination, and sustainability.
In the 2022/2023 financial year, the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service received around N$330 million.
The following year saw only minor increases.
Despite these funds and the launch of the National Youth Policy III in 2020, youth unemployment remains above 40%.
The Namibia Youth Credit Scheme, meant to provide small loans to young entrepreneurs, continues to face repayment issues.
A 2018 report from the auditor general indicated that many beneficiaries defaulted due to a lack of follow-up support.
The 121 Constituency Youth Enterprises initiative also struggles due to poor project selection and weak market access.
The National Youth Service, designed to give practical training and promote self-reliance, has been hit by underfunding and staff shortages.
A 2019 report by the same Standing Committee listed many of the same problems still present today, including weak coordination across programmes.
“Unless there is a stronger collaborative effort between government, the private sector, and NGOs, our youth empowerment framework will remain fragmented and ineffective,” Hanghuwo said.
“We must act now to ensure these initiatives are more than just well-intentioned projects; they must change lives.”
Duminga Ndala, a youth leader, acknowledged the expected but worrying report.
“We have witnessed firsthand how government-run empowerment initiatives begin with high ambition but ultimately falter due to systemic issues and a lack of accountability,” she said.
She believes the report confirms what youth activists have raised for years.
“Most of these programs do not have a clear class agenda that outlines timelines and implementation modalities.
Ndala said underfunding is a major challenge.
“Many of these programs are significantly underfunded, making it difficult to achieve their intended goals or create meaningful impact. Additionally, weak monitoring and evaluation mechanisms hinder the ability to track success and measure outcomes effectively,” she said.
She said there is a need to rethink the entire approach to youth empowerment.
“To achieve real change for young people, we must fundamentally restructure our approach to youth empowerment. Every programme should include a comprehensive implementation plan that clearly defines who benefits, how they benefit, and for how long. It must also incorporate a class-analytic perspective of youth. Importantly, every government initiative must be guided by a deliberate class agenda, with clearly defined measures to realise that agenda,” she said.
