The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has launched a N$400 million financing initiative aimed at expanding access to capital for Namibian women entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the launch of the DBN for Her programme, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Titus Ndove, said the initiative, developed in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), is a dedicated funding facility designed to support fully women-owned businesses across Namibia.
Ndove said the programme seeks to address the gender financing gap by targeting both small and medium-sized enterprises and larger firms employing between five and 300 people across all sectors of the economy.
The facility offers a range of financing options, including short-, medium- and long-term project finance, bridging finance, infrastructure and asset-backed finance. Loan amounts range from N$150,000 to N$10 million at prime interest rates.
Ndove added that the initiative includes a 12-month interest-free period and a grace period on capital repayments, along with flexible collateral requirements.
“Since inception, we have extended just under N$700 million in financing to women. This initiative will significantly increase that amount, adding close to N$400 million in additional support,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Chief Officer of the AfDB’s flagship programme, Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), Alex Area, said that despite Namibia’s progress in gender parity, access to finance remains a key constraint.
He said estimates point to a funding gap of approximately N$3.3 billion (US$195 million) for women-owned small and medium enterprises, with thousands of businesses still underserved.
While many women have access to banking services, access to credit remains limited, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as the DBN initiative, Area said.
He added that the facility forms part of a broader N$1.5 billion line of credit structured in collaboration with the AfDB, with N$400 million specifically ring-fenced for women entrepreneurs.
The programme also incorporates blended finance and technical support aimed at improving affordability and strengthening both institutional capacity and the bankability of women-led businesses.
“However, despite these achievements, gaps remain, particularly in access to finance. Our studies show that the financing gap for women-owned SMEs in Namibia is approximately US$195 million, with around 22,000 SMEs still underserved. This presents a significant opportunity for institutions such as the Development Bank of Namibia and other financial players,” he said.
