The Khomas Regional Council has invested N$2.5 million into 144 small and medium enterprise (SME) projects as part of efforts to address the region’s 44.4% unemployment rate.
The support, which included the provision of equipment and materials, targeted businesses involved in catering, fashion design, laundry services, arts and crafts, welding, and graphic design.
Governor Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma said the initiative forms part of the region’s broader Income Generating Activities Programme, aimed at creating self-employment and improving livelihoods.
“This initiative is part of our Income Generating Activities Programme, under which Small and Medium Enterprises are assisted with equipment and materials. We believe that economic empowerment at this level can meaningfully absorb unemployment and reduce poverty,” Nujoma said.
Beyond material support, the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises facilitated a mentoring and coaching programme for 135 SMEs nationwide, including 49 in Khomas.
The City of Windhoek also trained 538 new business owners through its Youth Starting Business Post-Training Programme and successfully placed 700 interns through its Graduate Internship Programme.
“These interventions are not mere statistics. They are testimonies to our belief that meaningful employment and entrepreneurship can only be achieved through targeted, practical programmes. Our resolve remains unshaken,” Nujoma stated.
The Governor further highlighted that these programmes are crucial in light of continued urban migration into Khomas, which places pressure on housing, services, and employment.
“We must think beyond conventional job creation. By equipping people with the tools to start and sustain their own businesses, we can create a ripple effect of economic activity throughout the region,” he said.
Nujoma added that the Regional Council will continue to prioritise SME development and collaborate with partners in both the public and private sectors to expand opportunities.
