Africa-Press – Namibia. Staff Reporter
DURING the 2025 year under review, 13 operational investment projects valued at N$4.3 billion, which generated 1,503 jobs, have been registered.
A further 15 projects worth N$63.5 billion are underway, including the Osino Gold and Bannerman Etango uranium mines, with 1,934 jobs already created and 24,195 projected at full operation.
This was shared by the Namibian President, Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), in which she said government continues to make strides in strengthening the business climate in the country to provide opportunities.
“In an effort to strengthen the business climate, last year I hosted the inaugural Namibia Public-Private Forum, which led to the formation of task forces on economic recovery, health, and housing. I want to thank the task forces for having submitted their reports by the deadline of 31 March 2026. Recommendations have been proposed for consideration. The ease of doing business has improved, with average waiting periods reduced from 21 to 14 days through the operationalisation of the One-Stop Shop,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She further added that enabling legislation for the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund, designed to benefit future generations, is at an advanced stage and will be tabled in Parliament soon.
“Over the past five years, GDP has grown from N$190 billion to N$270 billion, with tax revenue rising from N$55 billion to N$76 billion, a compounded growth rate of 9%, sustaining a tax-to-GDP ratio of 30.5% and placing Namibia among Africa’s top three. Despite progress in fiscal management and economic governance, several challenges persist that require attention and action. The government faces fiscal pressures and competing budget priorities, requiring careful resource allocation to balance immediate needs with long-term development goals. There is also an urgent need to expand the domestic revenue base to secure sustainable funding for public services and strategic investments,” the President said.
Touching on youth empowerment, Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah said government continues to prioritise youth development as a vital part of national progress.
“Consequently, there are several programmes targeting youth from various perspectives. The Government remains dedicated to providing equitable access to quality skills training for all young people,” she stated.
A total of 504 youths were empowered through sustainable livelihood initiatives. This included 104 young people trained in mushroom cultivation across all 14 regions, with six regions already receiving start-up materials, and 400 youths trained in biomass production and prepared for deployment to production sites.
Under the Youth Credit Scheme, 1,034 young people received training in business management to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.
Furthermore, eleven youth enterprises across the regions of //Kharas, Hardap, Khomas, Erongo, Kunene, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, and Kavango West were financed as part of the 121 Rural Youth Constituency Enterprises Initiative. This programme aims to promote rural industrialisation and local economic growth.
Meanwhile, fourteen youth agriculture cooperatives were formed to generate sustainable economic growth opportunities for young people.
A total of 353 young people completed one-year basic skills training at !Kai//Ganaxab, Berg Aukas, and Frans Dimbare Youth Skills Training Centres, while 119 youths finished semester-based short courses at Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centres.
Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah said these programmes continue to provide youth with practical, market-relevant skills for self-reliance.
Through the National Youth Service, a total of 1,030 recruits were successfully trained, while 600 recruits from the 16th and earlier intakes of the 2025/26 financial year were enlisted into the Namibian Defence Force. The service also participated in 20 voluntary service projects, with 987 recruits deployed.
Through the Equipment Aid Scheme Programme, the Government has supported 82 micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs across all fourteen regions of the country, comprising forty-one men and forty-one women.
Under the Youth Development Fund, a total of 211 projects have been approved, with a combined investment of around N$63.1 million, and the expected jobs created are 898. Of the approved projects, about N$16.8 million has been disbursed, while 2,035 applications have been referred for enhancement to make them bankable.
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