The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and First National Bank of Namibia (FNB) have launched a national programme to support tourism entrepreneurs through training, mentorship and financial literacy.
The initiative, announced in Windhoek, targets emerging operators and aims to strengthen participation across the tourism value chain.
NTB Chief Executive Officer Sebulon Chicalu said the programme forms part of efforts to support small businesses in the sector.
“As the Namibia Tourism Board, our mandate goes beyond marketing Namibia as a destination. We are committed to developing and sustaining tourism enterprises, particularly start-ups and SMEs,” he said.
The programme will focus on improving business skills, market access and integration of smaller operators into established tourism networks, while promoting sustainable tourism models.
FNB Namibia Executive for Treasury, Selma Kapeng, said the partnership reflects a broader approach to industry support.
“At FNB Namibia, we believe supporting an industry goes far beyond sponsorship. It requires a deliberate and sustained effort to uplift the entire value chain,” she said.
FNB has committed N$60,000 towards the initiative, with funding directed at financial literacy and entrepreneurship training.
Kapeng said the programme will be rolled out nationally in cohorts to ensure wider participation.
The initiative is aimed at addressing challenges faced by tourism operators, including limited access to business skills, compliance knowledge and market opportunities.
Both institutions said the programme is intended to support the development of sustainable tourism enterprises and contribute to economic growth and job creation.
