Namibia invests big in youth says President

By: Maria Namupala

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced that the government has bigger plans to ensure that young people across the country are empowered, using different programs.

Speaking during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) in Parliament on Wednesday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government remains dedicated to providing equitable access to quality skills training for all young people.

She highlighted that a total of 504 youths were empowered through sustainable livelihood initiatives, which included 104 young people trained in mushroom cultivation across all 14 regions, with 6 regions already receiving start-up materials.

Over 400 youths were 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,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

She further indicated that 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, a programme that promotes rural industrialisation and local economic growth.

The President added that recently over 350 young people graduated from one-year training programs at Berg Aukas and !Kai//Ganaxab, while another 119 students finished short courses at local youth centers.

She said those programs teach practical skills that help young people find jobs or start their own small businesses, adding government is also helping youth enter the world of farming and green energy.