More than 3,200 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Namibia have benefited from the Equipment Aid Scheme since its inception, Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Gaudentia Kröhne has said.
Kröhne told the 8th Session of the Rural Women Parliament with Men as Partners that a total of 3,213 MSMEs in all 14 regions had received support through the scheme, including those assisted in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.
She said the programme was launched in the 2009/10 financial year by the late President Hage Geingob to provide MSMEs with production equipment, reduce start-up costs and increase production capacity.
It was suspended between 2016 and 2022 due to fiscal consolidation and the impact of COVID-19, before being reintroduced in 2023 with new criteria.
“In 2023, it was re-engineered and reintroduced with revised criteria to ensure alignment with current business needs and to improve operational efficiency,” she said.
The scheme targets sectors such as manufacturing, agro-food processing, gemstone and dimension stone processing, small-scale mining, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and heating and ventilation.
Kröhne said several MSMEs supported under the programme had since grown into larger enterprises, creating jobs, increasing revenue and serving as role models for others.
“As a result, a number of these MSMEs have grown into larger enterprises, enhancing production, creating jobs, and increasing revenue. Some of them now serve as champions and role models for other existing and emerging entrepreneurs,” she said.
She added that the ministry also supports MSMEs through initiatives such as the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EMPRETEC – Namibia), the Gemstone and Polishing Training Programme, and regional office activities.
“EMPRETEC – Namibia is designed with the objectives to foster inclusive and equitable economic participation by equipping entrepreneurs with transformational skills and mindset change, which is executed through innovative, skills and behaviour-based entrepreneurial training, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),” Kröhne said.
She stressed that regional offices are central to delivering ministry activities and providing localised support for industrialisation and small business development.
“The ministerial regional offices are strategically placed to represent the entire Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, implementing all activities that the ministry provides to the public, including support activities to the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) aligned to the ministry,” she said.
Kröhne said the ministry’s programmes are aligned with Vision 2030 and national development plans.
“Similarly, Namibia’s Industrial Policy and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Policy focus on promoting industrialisation, ensuring equitable income distribution, and generating employment through the production of goods and services, all for poverty alleviation and sustainable economic growth in our country,” she said.
