The National Youth Service (NYS) and Konga Microfinance have entered into a formal partnership aimed at empowering Namibian youth and women through targeted support in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, biomass production and sustainable enterprise development.
The agreement was cemented through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the strategic collaboration aiming to unlock economic opportunities for young people and women by providing financing for solar and small-scale enterprises, enhancing support for climate-resilient farming, and offering skills training in biomass and charcoal production.
NYS graduates are also expected to benefit from improved access to employment and market entry within these growth sectors.
Dr Felix Musukubili, Commissioner of NYS, described the agreement as both “timely and crucialâ€, especially in light of the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle youth unemployment.
“This collaboration comes at a time when the government is calling for strengthened partnerships to address youth unemployment and bolster socio-economic progress,†said Dr Musukubili.
“With Konga Microfinance’s financial and technical support, we are addressing the immediate needs of the 600 youth currently undergoing the Youth Self-Employment Charcoal Production training at Gemsbokpan Farm in the Otjozondjupa Region.â€
The MoU also outlines a joint commitment to improving financial inclusion through youth- and women-friendly credit products, financial literacy campaigns, and business training and mentorship.
Konga Microfinance’s Executive Chairman, Tshoombe Ndadi, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in driving national development.
“We are extremely excited about this opportunity to partner with the National Youth Service in charting a way forward for impactful economic youth development. Konga Microfinance believes that no single institution can address the country’s socio-economic challenges alone. Development cannot happen without the involvement of the youth—and women—and they must be at the forefront of such initiatives. Elders must guide, but the youth must drive momentum ,†said Ndadi.
He added that Konga Microfinance will begin by supporting NYS’s biomass production team, highlighting biomass financing as a core offering of the institution.
“We see the renewable resource of invader bush—our ‘green gold’—as an untapped opportunity for youth empowerment. We are committed to using this initiative not only to implement biomass financing but also to mobilise additional resources to support youth- and women-led businesses across Namibia.â€
