MTC Namibia is aiming to raise N$14 million and create 1,600 internship opportunities through the Namibia National Internship Programme (NNIP) as it expands efforts to address youth unemployment and improve graduate employability.
The telecommunications company currently commits N$2 million annually to the programme, which was launched in 2019 to provide tertiary students and graduates with paid internship opportunities, workplace exposure and mentorship.
What started as an MTC initiative has since evolved into a broader national programme involving universities, vocational training centres, public institutions and private sector partners.
To date, the initiative has supported hundreds of students from the Namibia University of Science and Technology, University of Namibia, International University of Management, Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology and institutions affiliated with the Namibia Training Authority.
The programme covers more than 40 disciplines, including geology, welding, logistics and supply chain, automotive mechatronics, environmental health science and animal health science.
In 2025 alone, 332 interns were placed through the programme. Of these, 104 came from NUST, 86 from UNAM, 65 from NIMT, 39 from IUM and 38 from NTA-affiliated institutions.
Interns receive monthly stipends of N$3,000 for three-month placements and N$1,500 for six-month placements to assist with transport, meals and other living expenses while gaining workplace experience.
MTC said the programme now aims to expand placements across both public and private sector institutions.
MTC Chief Brand, Marketing, Communications and Sustainability Officer Tim Ekandjo said youth unemployment remains one of the country’s most urgent socio-economic challenges.
“Through the Namibia National Internship Programme, we are intentionally creating pathways that allow graduates to transition from education into meaningful workplace experience. In return, restoring hope, building confidence, and preparing a generation of young Namibians to actively participate in the economy,” he said.
Ekandjo said tackling youth unemployment requires a collective effort from both the public and private sectors.
“We are calling on Corporate Namibia to join us in shaping the future workforce of this country because youth unemployment is not a challenge one institution can solve alone. It requires collective national action. Every internship opportunity created has the potential to change the trajectory of a young person’s life,” he said.
Corporate partners supporting the programme include Standard Bank Namibia, Old Mutual Namibia, Momentum Metropolitan Namibia, Social Security Commission and the Namibia Institute of Pathology.
MTC is now encouraging organisations across sectors such as mining, agriculture, ICT, construction, finance, retail, manufacturing, logistics, health, tourism and media to partner with the programme and create more workplace opportunities for graduates.
“As a country, we cannot allow talent to stagnate because opportunity is absent. The future of Namibia’s economy depends on whether we are willing to invest in the potential of our young people today,” Ekandjo said.
