Frans Koita, a consultant for DKL Africa Consultations CC, has raised concerns over the rollout of the National Youth Fund, citing confusion and delays affecting many applicants across the country....

Leonard Witbeen | August 27, 2025 Business and economics expert Josef Sheehama has raised concerns over the low participation of youth in the newly approved National Youth Fund, which has...

[Namibian] The Ministry of Finance says the extension of the deadline for submitting proposals under the National Youth Fund pilot phase is 4 September.

Namibia: Deadline for Submissions of Proposals for National Youth Development Fund Extended  allAfrica.com

[Namibian] Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa has extended the deadline for project proposals to the National Youth Development Fund from 18 August to 1 September.

Allexer Namundjembo Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader and member of parliament Job Amupanda has called on prime minister Elijah Ngurare to intervene in what he described as the “chaotic and disjointed” rollout of the National Youth Development Fund. In a letter dated 14 August, Amupanda criticised the use of different deadlines and processes across regions for a programme meant to operate uniformly in a unitary state.  In some regions, the application deadline is 18 August, in others 21 August, and in some 25 August.  The Erongo region has not set a deadline, opting instead for consultative meetings. “It cannot be correct that in a unitary state, and for a national programme, youth in some regions are being consulted and getting an opportunity to ask questions while others are on their own, given seven or ten days to submit their project proposals,” Amupanda said. He questioned the requirement for applicants to indicate “youth ownership” percentages despite the programme being limited to those aged 18 to 35.  “The only sensible explanation, as we suspect, is that older politically connected individuals are manoeuvring and positioning themselves for these millions,” he said. Amupanda also criticised the environmental requirements, saying it was unrealistic to expect applicants to secure an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) within days.  “One cannot help but decode a well-orchestrated sinister motive to instrumentalise politically connected individuals already seated with the environmental clearance certificates,” he said. He urged the Ngurare to halt the current process and implement a uniform national timeframe.  He proposed September to November 2025 be used for information-sharing in all constituencies, with a final submission deadline at the end of December.  “Intervention is required for a revised application form and criteria that safeguard the programme from diversion and capture,” he said. Regional councils have encouraged youth to submit their applications before their respective deadlines.

Ministry of Finance office, Windhoek (Photo: The Namibian newspaper) The Ministry of Finance has extended the deadline for submitting project proposals for the National Youth Development Fund from 1 August...

VP pledges to monitor indigenous youth participation in National Youth Fund NBC Online Sun, 08/10/2025 - 13:34

Government commits to socio-economic response and youth empowerment NBC Online Tue, 08/05/2025 - 16:59

President Nandi-Ndaitwah urges youth to tap into N$257 million National Youth Fund NBC Online Mon, 07/28/2025 - 19:39

By: Ketemba Tjipepa President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to launch a National Youth Fund aimed at assisting young people access financing for their businesses. She said many youth-led businesses continue...

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Youth entrepreneurs can now access government loans through the newly approved National Youth Fund (NYF). The loans range from N$60,000 to N$200,000. Cabinet last week endorsed the fund’s operational framework and allocated an initial N$257 million. The ministry of information and communication technology said the NYF will use structured lending channels, including market linkage systems, targeted lending, public grants, and policy-based options.  The fund will follow a project-based entrepreneurship model, supporting businesses to grow beyond the start-up phase. “The Cabinet approved the common guidelines for the operationalisation of the National Youth Fund, including a fund philosophy and lending structure to ensure viable projects receive support,” said MICT minister Emma Theofelus. In April, finance minister Ericah Shafudah confirmed the government’s plan to create a youth development fund under the Swapo Party’s 2024 Manifesto Implementation Plan. She admitted that previous efforts did not deliver results. “The SME schemes the government has put in place are many, but you don’t see their impact. Is it the theory of it that was not correct, or what is it?” she asked during a public engagement. The NYF will consolidate current youth support schemes under bodies such as the National Youth Council, the National Youth Service, the Equipment Aid Scheme, and credit guarantee initiatives through local banks. These existing programmes have struggled to reduce the youth unemployment rate, which now stands at 44.5%. Theofelus confirmed the fund will receive annual government subventions beyond the initial N$257 million but did not give specific dates for disbursement or implementation. It is also not yet clear which agency will manage the fund. The NYF forms part of a broader plan to create over 52 000 jobs in five years. The government has set aside N$10 billion for youth-focused programmes under its N$85.7 billion implementation plan to cut unemployment and create 250 000 jobs. Each year, the NYF is expected to receive N$500 million, fund apprenticeships for 10 000 youth, and support graduate internships in the public and private sectors. Interns will receive annual stipends of N$30 000.

Cabinet Approves N$257 million Youth Fund NBC Online Sun, 06/22/2025 - 17:39

By: Ludorf Iyambo Affirmative Repositioning (AR) member of parliament George Kambala on Wednesday tasked the house to introduce and properly resource a National Youth Development Fund. According to Kambala such...