The Namibian Institute for Corporate Governance (NICG) is developing a practical leadership training programme aimed at equipping current and future directors with the real-world skills required to lead organisations effectively.
Speaking at an executive leadership training workshop on Tuesday, NICG Executive Director Edla Kaumbi said the initiative is intended to build a pipeline of well-prepared directors who understand not only governance theory but also the practical demands of board leadership and executive management.
Unlike traditional academic qualifications, the proposed programme will focus on applied learning, lived experience and situational decision-making within governance environments.
“We are working with partners to make this part of leadership development and to establish such a programme locally. We hope that once it is operational, you will support it,” Kaumbi said.
“We may also call on some of you experienced professionals to serve as faculty and mentors, helping to develop emerging directors, as well as those already serving who may not have had formal grounding in governance,” she added.
Kaumbi said that, in addition to director training, the institute continues to run capacity-building programmes covering areas such as non-profit governance, strategy and leadership.
She noted that many community organisations and advocacy groups operate without formal governance structures, highlighting the need for practical support and guidance.
“Many government bodies and civil society organisations are committed to addressing social issues, whether it is feeding communities, running support initiatives or protecting the environment, but often lack proper governance structures. As part of our advocacy and capacity-building work, we offer programmes to help strengthen governance in these sectors,” Kaumbi said.
To broaden its reach, the institute also hosts public discussions on governance through seasonal live-streamed sessions held in partnership with media platforms, enabling wider participation from stakeholders across the country.
The workshop brought together senior managers and executives from various institutions for two days of intensive training. Topics covered included corporate governance, strategy development, effective engagement with boards, financial oversight for non-financial managers and managing organisational performance through people.
Participants also analysed real-life case studies to identify governance failures and discuss preventative measures.
Kaumbi said the workshop served as a pilot initiative that will inform the design and rollout of future training programmes.
