Standard Bank Namibia has equipped 40 micro, small and medium enterprises through its inaugural Blue Growth Series, selected from 695 applicants under the pilot phase launched in August 2025.
The four-month initiative concluded at the bank’s headquarters, where participants completed structured training and mentorship designed to strengthen entrepreneurial capacity and prepare businesses for investment readiness.
Senior Manager for Public Relations and Communications, Elzita Beukes, said the programme was developed to support the long-term growth of emerging enterprises and strengthen their role in economic development.
“The Blue Growth Series is not merely a training programme, it is a catalyst for sustainable growth and a testament to our purpose: Namibia is Home, and We Drive Her Growth. We celebrate the resilience and innovation of these entrepreneurs, and we remain committed to supporting MSMEs as vital engines of our economy,” she said.
Of the MSMEs enrolled, 45 percent were women-owned enterprises, which the bank said reflects its commitment to inclusivity and gender parity.
Participants completed over 40 hours of intensive training, including business formalisation with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority, the Namibia Revenue Agency and the Social Security Commission.
The bank also facilitated new business banking relationships and sector-specific development across construction, agriculture, crafts, food and beverage, ICT, beauty, retail and manufacturing.
Certification was issued through Harvard ManageMentor and Bloomberg Finance Lab, delivered in partnership with the Namibia Investment and Finance Academy.
Winner of the pitching session held at the closing ceremony, Jane Auala of Ontoko Poultry, said the experience improved her operational and financial skills.
“We’ve been fortunate to be part of the Standard Bank Blue Growth Series, where we learned how to better manage our business and our financial governance. I would definitely encourage any startup business interested in growth to apply,” she said.
Standard Bank indicated that it is considering expanding the programme following the success of the pilot, positioning the Blue Growth Series as a long-term feature in its MSME support framework.
