Staff Reporter
THE Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has launched a nationwide promotional campaign to raise public awareness about financial solutions tailored specifically for young entrepreneurs and small business owners.
According to Di-Anna Grobler, DBN’s Manager of Stakeholder Relations and Client Support, the initiative aligns with the Bank’s broader mandate to support sustainable enterprises and stimulate economic growth, particularly within the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector. A key focus is to reduce youth unemployment by providing accessible financing for viable business ideas and marketable skills.
“DBN currently offers Skills-Based Finance facilities to qualifying young artisans and professionals aged 35 and under. Skills-Based Finance forms part of the Bank’s broader SME financing portfolio; however, it is designed specifically for youth and features significantly reduced requirements, making it more accessible to aspiring entrepreneurs, artisans, and skilled workers seeking capital to start or grow their businesses,” Grobler added.
She further highlighted that over the past financial year, DBN approved N$74.6 million in total under SME funding, of which only N$170,000 was allocated to Skills-Based Finance. As of the first quarter of the current financial year (2025/26), DBN has recorded two approvals under its youth-focused SME facilities, amounting to N$1.25 million. Notably, one of these approvals was made in the Zambezi Region — the first ever in that region.
Despite this progress, she noted that the overall uptake of these services remains low. This concern was echoed by DBN’s Chief of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Jerome Mutumba, who expressed disappointment over the underutilisation of the products.
“It is worrisome that, despite Namibia’s high youth unemployment and our efforts to develop solutions tailored for young people, the uptake remains low. We aim to change this undesirable status quo,” he said.
He emphasised that the Bank intends to make access to youth finance more inclusive by breaking down barriers to entry and working closely with stakeholders.
The campaign will be rolled out across various media platforms, including community outreach initiatives, regional roadshows, social media drives, and nationwide stakeholder engagements.
