Africa-Press – Namibia. RISTO Ashikoto (37), a Namibian entrepreneur who self-funded a production business, Risto Trading Enterprises CC, trading as Namaloe Products, now shares his skills with other entrepreneurs.
Ashikoto manufactures cosmetics and detergents, and trains would-be entrepreneurs to manufacture cosmetics and detergents, and to bake biscuits.
He also offers entrepreneurship classes.
Ashikoto says his main aim is to empower the youth of Namibia to grow and develop.
“As young entrepreneur, I believe every Namibian can earn the money they deserve if they use their time and resources wisely.”
Namaloe has been reaching out to Namibians in eight regions since 2021 through training, he says.
“This year my team and I hosted a four-day training workshop for 10 girls in the Zambezi region, funded by Project Hope, on how to make dishwashing liquid. We also gave entrepreneurship classes, and they are now well-known businesswomen in the region because of our training,” Ashikoto says.
He says he needs the support and assistance of professionals and entrepreneurs to reach more people across the country.
Ashikoto says Namaloe has just teamed up with two other companies owned by Erickson Mwala, who is an expert in agro-processing, and Rauna Awene, whose field is financial planning.
“The aim of this collaboration is to teach vulnerable young people in all 14 regions. The only challenge to make this dream a reality is finances for transportation, accommodation, meals, and booking venues,” he says.
Ashikoto calls on the public to support the training programme.
“We are requesting different embassies and ministries to partner with us so we can provide more training opportunities,” he says.
Ashikoto says the business has thus far trained more than 2 000 people countrywide between the ages of 18 and 35 years.
“We have produced well-known locally made dishwashing brands through our trainees, like Snap Dishwash, Nam Dishwashing Liquid, and Ofewa Yokuyoga Oiyuma,” he says.
Ashikoto is trying to fight Namibia’s high youth unemployment rate by training young people to become entrepreneurs.
“We believe it would be of great value as it would help young unemployed Namibians in their effort to develop skills and start their own businesses.
“Everyone is aiming to work for a big company. My aim is to change that mindset in our young people, so they can start their own companies locally,” he says.
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