Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

National Youth Development Fund

Also known as: NYDF · NYF

Government fund providing collateral-free loans and grants to youth entrepreneurs aged 18–45, with N$500 million allocated since 2025.

2025-12-152026-06-08
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. March 2026

  2. The Namibian

    National Youth Development Fund has approved for funding 30 youth-owned businesses in Omusati region

    Source

    “Thirty youth-owned businesses in the Omusati region have so far been approved for funding under the National Youth Development Fund.”

    30 Omusati youth businesses approved for funding – Shafudah

  3. New Era

    National Youth Development Fund received N$257 million allocation in the 2026/27 budget

    Source

    “The chairperson acknowledged that youth inclusion in the national development agenda has improved, citing the N$257 million allocation to the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF) in the 2026/27 budget as a positive indicator.”

    Political freedom must translate into economic opportunity – Ohangwena youth

  4. The Namibian

    National Youth Development Fund offers young entrepreneurs financing without collateral for green economy and industrialisation

    Source

    “Ongoing assistance for the National Youth Development Fund, which offers young entrepreneurs in the green economy and industrialisation financing without collateral.”

    Swapo MP Gaudntia Kröhne motivates support for 2026/27 national budget in National Assembly

  5. New Era

    National Youth Development Fund provides funding opportunities for young entrepreneurs

    Source

    “One such initiative was the launch of the National Youth Development Fund in the Omaheke region, which provides funding opportunities for young entrepreneurs.”

    Know Your Civil Servant – Serving with honesty and integrity

  6. New Era

    National Youth Development Fund has been allocated N$257 million

    Source

    “Within that allocation, N$257 million has been allocated to the National Youth Development Fund, and N$301 million has been earmarked for youth development and training.”

    Youth budget bumped to N$750m

  7. The Namibian

    National Youth Development Fund has disbursed more than N$62 million supporting 140 projects and creating over 700 jobs

    Source

    “We have also taken note of the National Youth Development Fund, half a billion Namibian dollars dedicated to empowering young entrepreneurs. More than N$62 million has already been disbursed, with 140 projects supported and more than 700 jobs created.”

    Jatta Fabakary Tombong opens 90th CPA Africa Region executive committee meeting in Swakopmund

  8. New Era

    National Youth Development Fund was established in 2025 to respond to youth business financing challenges

    Source

    “She said the fund, which was established in 2025, serves to respond to challenges associated with access to business financing for youth enterprises.”

    Qualified but unemployed

  9. New Era

    The fund provides loans and grants without collateral requirement

    Source

    “The fund provides loans and grants without the requirement of collateral.”

    Qualified but unemployed
  10. February 2026

  11. New Era

    National Youth Development Fund is expected to receive significant budgetary attention as youth empowerment program

    Source

    “Investments in education, health, skills training, oil and gas development, green hydrogen technologies, and youth empowerment programs such as the National Youth Development Fund are critical for long-term transformation.”

    Opinion – Budget 2026/27: Revenue, jobs and growth

  12. New Era

    National Youth Development Fund was established in 2025 to respond to youth enterprise financing challenges

    Source

    “Namibia's Head of State said the fund, which was established in 2025, serves to respond to challenges associated with access to business financing for youth enterprises.”

    Youth  fund  creates  700  jobs …as Namibia reports progress at APRM Summit
Business

PM urges DBN to improve feedback to youth entrepreneurs

The News

Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare visited the Development Bank of Namibia to assess the National Youth Development Fund and urged officials to provide clear, constructive feedback to applicants whose submissions need improvement, rather than leaving them without guidance. He called for faster resolution of administrative bottlenecks and innovative outreach to fully utilise the N$500 million allocated to the fund.

Why it matters

The Prime Minister's intervention at the Development Bank calls for faster feedback and reduced bottlenecks in youth entrepreneurship funding.

4 June 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 4 June

  1. PM urges DBN to improve feedback to youth entrepreneurs

    Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare visited the Development Bank of Namibia to assess the National Youth Development Fund and urged officials to provide clear, constructive feedback to applicants whose submissions need improvement, rather than leaving them without guidance. He called for faster resolution of administrative bottlenecks and innovative outreach to fully utilise the N$500 million allocated to the fund.

    4 June 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 27 May

  1. President urges development that preserves Namibia's cultural identity

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the 2026 Omaludi Agricultural Festival that Namibia must pursue development without abandoning its cultural identity, noting that festivals promote agriculture, tourism and local economic growth while preserving traditions. She urged farmers in northern communal areas to transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture through improved infrastructure, financing and market access.

    27 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 1 May

  1. President urges private sector collaboration on internship programmes

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called on the private sector to partner with government in the National Internship and Apprenticeship Programmes to equip graduates with practical skills the market demands. She noted that government offices, ministries, and agencies have been directed to create budgetary allocations for internships and apprenticeships.

    1 May 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 26 April

  1. Namibia's job creation ambitions require rethinking national conversation

    The Namibian publishes an opinion piece questioning whether Namibia's national conversation on jobs is aligned with its goal to create 500,000 jobs, given youth unemployment around 44% in 2023 and policies like expanded free tertiary education that will increase labour market entrants.

    26 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 25 April

  1. President calls for SWAPO unity and vigilance against misinformation

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the SWAPO Party's Central Committee meeting in Windhoek, emphasising unity as the party's strongest asset while warning against misinformation and disinformation that could weaken cohesion. She highlighted government progress including youth empowerment initiatives and marked the party's 66th anniversary.

    25 April 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Swapo president warns against party division and misinformation

    Swapo president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said internal division and misinformation risk weakening the ruling party, and that unity must be protected against both internal and external pressures. She cited the party's focus on implementing its 2025 to 2030 election manifesto, including youth employment and sustainable development initiatives.

    25 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. //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 →

  2. 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 →

  3. 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

  1. 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 →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Ohangwena youth seek economic opportunities amid political freedom

    The Ohangwena Regional Youth Forum chairperson Monica Ndeilenga said young people in the region have achieved political freedom since independence but face high unemployment and a mismatch between education and job opportunities. She called for youth integration into high-level decision-making on agriculture, infrastructure and macro-economic planning, and advocated for regional value chains, improved access to funding, and stronger youth participation in governance.

    18 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. SWAPO MP motivates N$87.9bn 2026/27 budget in assembly

    SWAPO MP Gaudntia Kröhne has urged the National Assembly to support the 2026/27 national budget, emphasizing three pillars: N$54.3 billion in social investment covering education, health and pensions; productivity-focused spending on infrastructure and energy; and fiscal prudence to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio toward SADC standards while identifying N$2.3 billion in operational savings.

    18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. 26-year-old civil servant shares career in Omaheke regional government

    Muuaupi Kavari, Senior Private Secretary to Omaheke's governor, discusses her path from three years of voluntary service to her current administrative role coordinating the governor's office. She emphasizes the importance of public service for community development and defends civil servants against criticism of ineffectiveness.

    13 March 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 12 March

  1. MPs criticise 2026/27 budget for failing to address youth unemployment

    Members of parliament have raised concerns that the recently tabled 2026/27 budget, which allocates N$81.3 billion to operational expenditure and only N$6.5 billion to development spending, fails to adequately address youth unemployment and lacks a credible plan for job creation. IPC parliamentarian Michael Mwashindange argued that the fiscal framework prioritises recurring operational costs over strategic investments, while rising debt payments and interest costs continue to crowd out productive investments needed to stimulate employment.

    12 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Youth budget increased to N$750 million for 2025/26

    The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture's youth development allocation has increased by N$70.6 million to N$750 million for the 2025/26 financial year. The National Youth Council of Namibia welcomes the boost but emphasises that funds must be targeted at employment pathways, entrepreneurship, and skills development to make a meaningful impact.

    11 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. CPA Africa Region holds 90th executive committee meeting in Swakopmund

    The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region held its 90th executive committee meeting in Swakopmund, hosted by the Namibian parliament. Newly elected CPA Africa Region chair Jatta Fabakary Tombong praised Namibia's parliamentary leadership and government initiatives including subsidised tertiary education and a National Youth Development Fund.

    11 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

  1. Qualified graduates struggle to find jobs in tough labour market

    Despite President Nandi-Ndaitwah's pledge to create 500,000 jobs, many Namibian graduates remain unemployed months after completing their studies, with most entry-level positions requiring prior work experience. In Khomas region, unemployment stands at 34.4% among the economically active population, and graduates are calling for structured internship programmes and better alignment between education and labour market needs.

    2 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 27 February

  1. Budget must balance fiscal discipline with job creation, analyst urges

    An economic analyst argues that Namibia's 2026/27 budget must expand the narrow employer base—roughly 15,000 formal employers for 3.02 million people—through a more enabling business environment and strategic investment in manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, energy, and human capital, while maintaining fiscal discipline and managing public debt.

    27 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 26 February

  1. Youth Development Fund creates 700 jobs in Namibia

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah reported at the African Peer Review Mechanism Summit that the National Youth Development Fund, established in 2025 with N$500 million capitalisation, created over 700 jobs in the 2025/26 financial year through loans and grants without collateral requirements. Namibia is also addressing youth unemployment through free tertiary education, mandatory internship programmes, and vocational training centres across all 14 regions.

    26 February 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 14 February

  1. President announces N$62.3 million disbursed to youth projects

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that N$62.3 million from the National Youth Development Fund has been disbursed to 140 youth projects, creating approximately 722 jobs. The N$500 million fund, launched in 2025, provides loans and grants to young entrepreneurs without collateral requirements.

    14 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 February

  1. PM urges youth to build Namibia's digital sovereignty

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called on young people to create content, develop social media platforms, and adopt AI tools to help Namibia achieve digital sovereignty and economic growth. He emphasized that Namibians should control the country's data protection, storage, and centres, and noted that youth empowerment initiatives including subsidized tertiary education and a collateral-free National Youth Development Fund have been launched.

    11 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. Public service wage bill projected to reach 38% amid productivity concerns

    Namibia's public sector workforce has grown to 119,000 employees with a wage bill expected to reach 38% of the budget by 2026/27, prompting analysts to warn of reduced productivity and poor service delivery. Political analyst Sakaria Johannes says government may be spending more on unproductive workers, though parliamentarian Kennedy Simasiku argues the spending is necessary for government to deliver essential services despite the fiscal strain.

    11 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 3 February

  1. DBN approves N$15m in youth enterprise funding

    The Development Bank of Namibia has approved approximately N$15 million through the National Youth Development Fund to support 46 youth-owned enterprises aged 18 to 45, with collateral-free financing ranging from N$60,000 to over N$1 million at interest rates of 2–4% per annum. The Fund, launched in September 2024, continues to accept applications on a rolling basis through regional governors and participating development finance institutions.

    3 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. Youth fund approves N$14.9m for 30 businesses

    The National Youth Development Fund has approved N$14.9 million in financing for 30 businesses and expects to create 147 jobs. The fund, launched in September 2025 with N$500 million allocated, offers collateral-free loans at 2% to 4% interest to young Namibians aged 18 to 45 to boost entrepreneurship and reduce youth unemployment.

    3 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 1 February

  1. Youth fund approves N$14.9m for 46 young entrepreneurs

    The National Youth Development Fund has approved N$14.9 million in financing for 46 youth-owned businesses through the Development Bank of Namibia, with about 40 additional applications under assessment. The fund, a N$500 million initiative supporting Namibians aged 18–35, offers loans from N$60,000 to N$1 million at interest rates from 2%, with no collateral required.

    1 February 2026 · The Namibian →

National Youth Development Fund — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute