Standard Bank Namibia has expanded its enterprise development programme, increasing participation to about 80 small businesses and introducing a dedicated track for the informal sector as it seeks to strengthen the country’s micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) base.
Launched in partnership with the Namibia Investment and Finance Academy (NIFA), the second edition of the Standard Bank Blue Growth Series 2026 aims to improve business sustainability, governance and access to finance for entrepreneurs across the country.
The launch event brought together government officials, financial sector leaders and the new cohort of entrepreneurs, with Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture Dino Ballotti delivering a keynote address focused on building an entrepreneurial mindset.
“Entrepreneurs need an ecosystem. They need banks that believe in them, mentors to guide them, investors willing to take risks, and policies that enable innovation. That is why initiatives like this matter, because they are building the environment entrepreneurs need to thrive,” Ballotti said.
The expanded programme aligns with national priorities on MSME development, youth entrepreneurship and the formalisation of informal businesses. It is designed to equip participants with the tools required to improve financial discipline, strengthen governance and prepare for investment.
The seven-month programme, delivered by NIFA, includes training in financial management, business strategy, governance and investment readiness. Participants will also receive Bloomberg Finance Fundamentals certification through the Namibia University of Science and Technology’s Bloomberg Finance Lab.
Standard Bank Namibia said a key addition this year is a structured informal sector track, aimed at helping micro-enterprises transition into the formal economy through improved record-keeping and exposure to formal commercial systems.
Rodney Coetzee, Head of Enterprise Direct at Standard Bank Namibia, said the programme addresses a critical gap facing local businesses.
“The primary constraint facing Namibia’s MSMEs is not capital availability, but bankability. This programme is designed to close that gap in a structured and scalable way,” he said.
Jane Auala, founder of Ontoko Foods and winner of the 2025 Blue Growth Series, said the programme had played a pivotal role in strengthening her business.
“Passion started our journey, but systems, structure and mentorship turned that passion into a business that can grow,” she said, encouraging the new cohort to fully utilise the support provided.
The expansion of the programme reflects growing recognition of the role MSMEs play in job creation and economic diversification, particularly as Namibia seeks to build a more inclusive and resilient economy.
