National Youth Development Fund

Also known as: NYDF · youth fund · NYF

Government fund supporting Namibian youth entrepreneurs aged 18–45 with collateral-free loans, approved N$14.9 million for 30–46 youth businesses in April 2026.

Politics

President inaugurates third APRM council for governance oversight

The News

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially inaugurated the Third National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Namibia, reaffirming the country's commitment to strengthening governance systems and aligning with national development priorities. The council will oversee key governance areas and lead Namibia's second-generation country review process.

Why it matters

The newly inaugurated council will oversee implementation of governance reforms and monitor progress on youth employment initiatives and other development priorities tied to Namibia's national development plan.

20 April 2026 · Informanté →

The Minute

Listen

1 / 11 · 5:07

Namibia Minute

Monday 20 April
Thursday 2 April
Friday 27 March
Wednesday 25 March
Tuesday 24 March
Monday 23 March
Saturday 21 March

Monday 20 April

President inaugurates third APRM council for governance oversight
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially inaugurated the Third National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Namibia, reaffirming the country's commitment to strengthening governance systems and aligning with national development priorities. The council will oversee key governance areas and lead Namibia's second-generation country review process.
20 April 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 2 April

Namibia needs coordinated jobs strategy, not more programmes
According to UN Resident Coordinator Hopolang Phororo, while Namibia has launched numerous job creation initiatives and aims to create 500,000 jobs, fragmented efforts without shared tracking and coordination are failing to deliver impact at scale. Phororo argues that the country must shift from launching new programmes to aligning existing ones with clear accountability for results, particularly in supporting small enterprises to grow and survive beyond their early years.
2 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 27 March

Young civil servant drives Kunene Governor's Office operations
Lahja Nashuuta Alpha Mbanyanda Uzera, a Senior Private Secretary in Kunene's Governor's Office, joined public service in April 2025 and has since contributed to infrastructure projects like the Oute Bridge and youth development programmes. He emphasises the dedication of his office team and plans to pursue postgraduate studies in International Relations with a goal of joining the diplomatic corps.
27 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 25 March

Omusati youth demand equal opportunities, basic services
The Omusati Regional Youth Forum Chairperson has called for equal opportunities and improved access to water, electricity, and network coverage across the region, citing high youth unemployment and rising crime as pressing challenges. She urged the government to create more basic jobs accessible to the majority of youth and deploy more security personnel to crime hotspots.
25 March 2026 · New Era →
PM urges Oshana youth to apply for development fund
Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has urged young people in Oshana to apply for the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF), a collateral-free initiative available to Namibians aged 45 and below. He warned that funds should not remain unused due to lack of applications, and noted that government has allocated N$257 million in its initial phase last year with an additional N$500 million planned annually over five years.
25 March 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 24 March

PM praises Oshana development progress at independence event
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare praised government investments in rural electrification, water supply, roads and health facilities in Oshana region during the 36th Independence Day celebrations, and stressed that capital projects must benefit local companies and support local economic empowerment.
24 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 23 March

//Kharas region evolving into strategic economic hub, VP says
Vice President Lucia Witbooi says //Kharas has evolved from a historically marginalised area into a dynamic economic hub through government's commitment to inclusive development, with progress in agriculture, mining, fisheries, tourism, and infrastructure. She noted the region faces ongoing challenges in value addition, water, sanitation and housing, and is positioned to benefit from large-scale renewable energy and green hydrogen initiatives.
23 March 2026 · New Era →
Hambyuka urges economic growth beyond political independence
Kavango East Governor Hamunyera Hambyuka called on residents to transition from celebrating political freedom to generating shared prosperity, addressing youth unemployment, water provision, and housing as critical challenges while emphasizing that independence must include access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for all families in the region.
23 March 2026 · New Era →
Thirty Omusati youth businesses approved for National Youth Development Fund
Finance minister Erica Shafudah announced that 30 youth-owned businesses in Omusati have been approved for funding under the National Youth Development Fund, with N$257 million allocated to the fund to support young entrepreneurs nationwide. Shafudah also outlined government initiatives to strengthen food security through irrigation projects, livestock facilities, and vocational training in the region.
23 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 21 March

VP Witbooi urges unity and inclusive development on Independence Day
Vice President Lucia Witbooi called for collective responsibility and socio-economic transformation as Namibia marked its 36th Independence Day, emphasizing government priorities under the Sixth National Development Plan including agriculture, youth empowerment, education, and renewable energy, while acknowledging remaining challenges in housing, water, and sanitation.
21 March 2026 · Informanté →