The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has approved a total of N$22.74 billion in loans since 2007, with N$13.25 billion directed to the private sector, according to the bank’s Acting Chief Investment Officer, Cliffy Nauses.
Of the private sector funding, only N$1.87 billion, or 14.3%, has been allocated to women-owned enterprises, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to improve access to finance for female entrepreneurs.
“Total approvals amount to N$22.74 billion, of which N$13.25 billion was allocated to the private sector. Of this, N$1.87 billion was approved for women, representing 14.3% of total approvals to the private sector,” Nauses said.
She was speaking at the launch of the DBN for Her programme on Thursday.
A breakdown of funding directed to women shows that large enterprises accounted for N$1.187 billion, or 63.4%, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) received N$684.49 million, representing 36.6%.
Geographically, the Khomas Region accounted for the largest share of funding to women-owned businesses, receiving N$619.51 million, or 33.1% of total approvals.
From a sector perspective, business services led allocations with N$290.08 million, covering activities such as cleaning services and stop-order supply contracts.
“Khomas accounted for N$619 million, which is about 33% of approvals. The business services sector accounted for approximately 15.5% of total approvals, while support to women in the SME segment made up about 37% of our private sector approvals,” Nauses said.
She noted that the highest level of approvals for women was recorded in the 2016/17 financial year, when women accounted for 22.6% of funding.
However, for the current financial year, covering the 11 months to February 2026, only about 5% of approvals have been allocated to women.
Nauses described the figure as disappointing.
She added that within the youth category, approximately 21% of funding has been extended to women, amounting to N$392 million.
“What is also worth mentioning is a breakdown within the youth category. Of the support extended to women in the youth category, this accounts for about 21%, equating to N$392 million,” she said.
