Staff Reporter
THE Prime Minister, Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, has urged the management and staff of the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) to provide clear and constructive feedback to aspiring entrepreneurs on their applications, rather than leaving them without guidance when improvements are needed.
He made these remarks during a recent impromptu visit to the DBN to assess the implementation of the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF). The Prime Minister reminded officials that behind every application is a young Namibian with hopes and ambitions, emphasising the importance of guiding them when their submissions fall short.
“Let us not kill their dreams,” he said.
This follows revelations that nearly 2,000 applications remain unprocessed due to gaps requiring enhancement. Ngurare urged DBN officials to communicate clearly with applicants about the improvements needed, stressing that young entrepreneurs require ongoing support, guidance, and space to grow.
“Just like every successful business, including Facebook, had its teething phase, Namibian youth start-ups must be allowed to fail before they excel,” he said.
The Prime Minister also called for faster solutions to administrative bottlenecks and innovative outreach strategies to ensure the full N$500 million allocated to the NYDF is effectively utilised, paving the way for additional government investment in the fund.
Photos: Office of the Prime Minister.
