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    N$257m youth fund kicks off with 42 projects

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    By Dolly Menas

    Copyright namibian

    N$257m youth fund kicks off with 42 projects

    A total of 42 projects out of 11 475 applications have been approved for funding by the long-awaited National Youth Development Fund.

    Prime minister Elijah Ngurare announced this on Friday.

    The government allocated N$257 million to the fund for the 2025/26 financial year to support youth entrepreneurship, start-ups, apprenticeships and graduate internships.

    The offices of the country’s 14 regional governors previously informed The Namibian that 13 756 applications from aspiring entrepreneurs were processed by their offices during the pilot phase of the project after the Cabinet approved the fund in August.

    “All beneficiaries will undergo entrepreneurship training to prepare them for success. The financing model is inclusive and responsive. Start-ups may access between N$60 000 and N$200 000 at 2% interest.

    “Growth-phase enterprises between N$200 000 and N$1 million at 3% interest. Expansion enterprises above N$1 million at 4% interest,” Ngurare said.

    The 42 projects will be funded at a total value of N$14.7 million, with the Oshikoto region being allocated the lowest value at N$465 000 and the Kunene the highest at N$2.2 million.

    The prime minister said a grace period of up to 12 months will allow businesses to grow before they have to start repaying.

    “There are no collateral requirements. Let this be clear: The criteria is that the youth fund must be clear and must be youth friendly. If and when we find that the criteria are not helpful, let’s change them for the benefit of the Namibian youth,” he said.

    Of this, 6 111 projects were assessed by the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), 5 070 agricultural projects by the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank), and 294 projects were assessed by the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF).

    “Out of this number, 391 were from the Omaheke region, demonstrating that the young people of the Omaheke region are ready to seize the opportunity,” he said.

    Ngurare said 42 successful projects, three from each region, were approved, including the Triple and Fresh Produce project – a horticulture project approved by Agribank with a loan of N$151 000, the Wamemo Investment CC project, a sustainable agriculture project approved with a loan of N$732 000 from the EIF, and a fashion and design project approved by the DBN, with a loan of N$150 000 – all from the Omusati region.

    The Kavango East region’s Wakambunge Fish Investment CC got a loan of N$179 600 from Agribank, Pasa Care Investment CC, a renewable energy project, got a loan of N$688 000, and is projected to create about eight jobs, and Malangahi Investment CC, a brickmaking project, was approved by DBN, receiving a loan of N$168 000. This project is expected to create three jobs.

    NYDF beneficiaries

    Omusati – N$1 millionNNN Fresh Produce: N$151 400 (women)Gwaamlemo Investment CC: N$732 000 (men)Fashion and Design: N$150 000 (not stated)

    Kavango East – N$1 millionKwata Mbunge Fish Investment CC Fish Shop: N$179 600 (women)Passa K Investment CC (renewable energy): N$688 800 (men)Malangahi Investment CC (brickmaking): N$168 500

    Hardap – N$528 000Duvane’s and Janya Poultry (poultry): N$163 000 (women)Ben-Cor Vegetable Greenhouse (agriculture): N$165 000 (men)Aranos Youth Development Bakery (Bakery at Aranos owned by four youths. Loan amount expected to increase after submission of new quotations): N$200 000

    Oshikoto – N$465 800Ndaka Mushrooms and Processing CC (agriculture): N$250 000 (men)Hilkka Cakes Decor Trading (baking, events and catering management): N$115 800 (not stated)Tembu Farms Piggery & Fodder production: N$100 000 (men)

    ||Kharas – N$490 000Russell’s Agrifirm Trading Enterprise CC (piggery): N$200 000 (men)Servicing and Maintain Solar PV Systems (renewable energy): N$130 000 (men)Ka Mojo Cellphone (ICT centre, internet, printing & copies): N$160 000 (not stated)

    Zambezi – N$1.7 millionBatuse Poultry Farm (chicken farming): N$150 000 (women)Zee Media CC (green technology & innovation): N$1 million (men)Bush and Breeze Campsite (tourism and leisure): N$550 000 (not stated)

    Otjozondjupa – N$990 000Rebeca’s Crop Production and Poultry (poultry): N$90 000 (women)Expand Africa Charcoal Production CC (biomass): N$600 000 (men)Porisa Omuinjo Trading CC (catering services): N$300 000

    Khomas – N$1.2 millionAnangkazo Farming & Trading (poultry): N$432 253 (men)Vertical Studio CC (film production): N$400 000 (not stated)Willem Technologies Investment CC (technology & logistics): N$400 000 (not stated)

    Omaheke – N$1.4 millionPig Farming (poultry): N$169 069 (men)Graceville Hills & Tours (Biomass): N$1 million (women)Jaanda Trading Pty Ltd (stationery shop and ICT centre): N$270 000

    Kavango West – N$587 400Apakaso Cotton Farming Namibia CC (cotton farming): N$97 400 (men)Voltaic Solar Solutions (renewable energy): N$250 000 (men)Elefante Trading Enterprise CC (auto repairs and services): N$240 000 (not stated)

    Erongo – N$1.2 millionJimmy-A Investment CC (horticulture): N$1 million (men)Oasis Organics CC (agriculture/waste management): N$180 000 (women)Severin/BM Welding (welding & fabrication services): N$80 000Kunene – N$2.2 millionD-Curve Agro Supplies (horticulture): N$200 000 (men)Kunene Gemstone & Polishing Cooperative (small-scale mining): N$1 millionOpuwo Tannery & Leather Works (tannery owned & managed by 40 youths): N$1 million

    Oshana – N$839 000Iyaloo Fisheries Aquaculture (fish farm): N$80 000 (women)Sante 2000 Africa Trading CC (waste management): N$500 000 (men)Nyanyu Media and Trading CC (media): N$259 000 (not stated)

    Ohangwena – N$982 400Golden Roots & Beyond Investment CC (horticulture): N$100 000 (men)Ndah’s Pork Meat Supply (butchery): N$782 417 (men)Precast and Bricks Manufacturing (precast and brick manufacturing): N$100 000 (not stated)

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