Justicia Shipena
Prime minister Elijah Ngurare says youth-owned businesses financed under the newly launched National Youth Development Fund (NYDF) will be given up to 12 months before repayment begins.
The fund offers startups between N$60 000 and N$200 000 at 2% interest, growth-phase enterprises between N$200 000 and N$1 million at 3% interest, and expansion enterprises above N$1 million at 4% interest.
“A grace period of up to 12 months will allow businesses to grow before repayment begins. There are no collateral requirements. Let this be clear. The criteria is that the youth fund must be clear and must be youth-friendly,” said Ngurare as he launched the fund at Wennie du Plessis Secondary School in Gobabis on Monday night.
The cabinet approved N$257 million for the NYDF a month ago. The fund is capitalised at N$500 million, with N$257 million already allocated for 2025/26. It will be implemented through the Development Bank of Namibia, Agribank, and the Environmental Investment Fund, with NamPost expected to join.
“DBN, AgriBank, EIF and NamPost, be enablers and not a stumbling block to the dreams of our youth. Help them grow and not frustrate them to drop their dreams,” Ngurare said.
The fund targets youth-driven, sustainable and scalable projects that support job creation, cooperative business models, and local supply chains. It also includes a grant window under N$60 000 to complement other government schemes. The Bank of Namibia (BoN) will host an endowment mechanism to keep the fund sustainable.
During the pilot phase, which ran from 1 August to 4 September 2025, 11 475 applications were received.
The Omaheke region alone submitted 391. Ngurare announced 42 projects at the launch, three from each of the 14 regions. He stressed this was not the final list.
“This does not mean out of 11,475 applications, only 42 will be beneficiaries of the N$250 million Youth Fund. It means only 42 successful beneficiaries out of many are selected for announcement here today, and there are more successful applicants yet to be announced,” he said.
Warning against misuse
All beneficiaries will undergo entrepreneurship training. Ngurare emphasised that NYDF is not a handout.
“You, the youth of Namibia, have to become builders of businesses, creators of jobs and drivers of innovation,” he said.
He called for transparency and accountability, saying a youth-led monitoring and evaluation framework will be set up.
He also urged young people not to misuse the fund.
“This is the dawn of genuine youth economic empowerment. No one must abuse, misuse or corruptly sabotage this fund. To do so will be a betrayal of our President, the 2025-2030 Swapo party election manifesto, and a betrayal of the Namibian people. Don’t betray the seeds of hope we are investing in you,” Ngurare said.
Of the 42 approved projects, sectors include agriculture, renewable energy, fashion, technology, tourism, media, and mining. The projects are expected to create more than 300 jobs nationwide.
In Omusati, NNN Fresh Produce received N$151 392 for horticulture, Gwaamlemo Investment secured N$732 000 for agro-processing, and a fashion venture got N$150 000. Together they will create 25 jobs.
In Kavango East, Kwata Mbunge Fish Investment received N$179 630 for a fish shop, Passa K Investment secured N$688 802 for renewable energy, and Malangahi Investment got N$168 500 for brickmaking. They will create 15 jobs.
In Zambezi, Zee Media CC was awarded N$1 million for a green technology project, Bush and Breeze Campsite received N$550 000 for tourism, and Batuse Poultry Farm got N$150 000. These will create 22 jobs.
In Kunene, Opuwo Tannery and Leather Works, managed by 40 youths, secured N$1 million, while Kunene Gemstone & Polishing Cooperative received N$1 million. Together they will create 59 jobs.
In Khomas, Vertical Studio got N$400 000 for film production, Willem Technologies N$400 000 for logistics, and Anangkazo Farming & Trading N$432 253 for poultry farming.
In Omaheke, Graceville Hills & Tours secured N$1 million for biomass, Jaanda Trading Pty Ltd got N$270 000 for an ICT centre and stationery shop, and a pig farming project received N$169 069. Together they will create 28 jobs.
Ngurare said all projects represent youth ownership of up to 100%.
