DBN launches national SME campaign

The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has launched a national promotional campaign aimed at enhancing public understanding of financial solutions tailored to young entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country.This initiative forms part of the bank’s mandate to support national economic development by financing sustainable enterprises, particularly within the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, and helping to reduce youth unemployment.The DBN currently offers skills-based finance facilities to qualifying young artisans and professionals aged 35 and under. Although skills-based finance falls under the bank’s broader SME financing portfolio, 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 expand their businesses.Over the past financial year, the DBN approved N$74.6 million 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), the DBN has recorded two approvals under its youth-focused SME facilities, amounting to N$1.25 million.Step forwardNotably, one of these approvals was granted in the Zambezi Region - the first ever approval in that region. While this marks a step forward, the bank remains concerned about the overall low uptake of the facility.The DBN’s Executive for Corporate Affairs, Jerome Mutumba, expressed concern 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.”The campaign will be rolled out across various platforms, including community outreach, regional roadshows, social media campaigns, and stakeholder engagements nationwide. The objective is to ensure that Namibian youth with viable business ideas or marketable skills can access finance to support their ventures.“We aim to make access to youth finance more inclusive. That means meeting the youth where they are, breaking down barriers to entry, and working closely with stakeholders to amplify our reach,” said Mutumba.

DBN launches national SME campaign

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Republikein 2025-12-19

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DBN launches national SME campaign

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