Members of the United Nations (UN) Namibia youth advisory group have expressed concerns that treating entrepreneurship as a one-size-fits-all solution to youth unemployment may not be effective. They note that young people face different financial, skills and industry barriers when trying to create their own jobs. According to a 2026 Namibia Country Impact Assessment, youth unemployment stands at about 46%. The group was speaking in Windhoek on Wednesday.
Micky Kaapama, a member of the UN Namibia youth advisory group, emphasized that entrepreneurship can create opportunities but cannot be presented as an option that works equally for everyone. She cited young people with highly technical qualifications who may not be able to immediately turn their qualifications into businesses due to expensive equipment, infrastructure and specialised resources required.
Kaapama also raised concerns about young innovators struggling to access finance, citing students developing a solar-light prototype as an example of young people who may have viable ideas but still face barriers when trying to secure support. To address this, Namibia’s National Youth Development Fund provides youth-focused financing, including collateral-free loans ranging from N$60 000 to N$200 000 for start-up initiatives.
However, applicants must generally have a registered business or cooperative, a business plan, financial projections and bank account confirmation. Kaapama advised young people to use networks and platforms to find opportunities, projects and partnerships in their respective fields. This can help them gain experience, generate income and identify opportunities.
The discussion also highlighted the “demand for previous work experience” as another barrier facing young Namibians when applying for jobs. Toini Amutenya, another member of the UN Namibia youth advisory group, suggested that experience requirements should not necessarily be removed but could be relaxed for entry-level positions. He encouraged young people to seek smaller opportunities while studying or looking for employment.
Dawid Gawaseb, a senior youth officer in the ministry of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture’s youth directorate, said young people struggling to enter formal employment can make use of youth centres and other support programmes. These centres offer basic computer literacy, tailoring and dressmaking, life-skills training and psychosocial support.
The group further called for greater private-sector involvement in helping young people move from education into employment and business. They suggested that financial institutions and other private-sector players could help young people understand business registration, access to finance and other requirements needed to turn ideas into viable enterprises. Young people should continue pursuing formal employment while using their existing skills to gain experience and generate income.
Key points
- Entrepreneurship is not a one-size-fits-all solution to youth unemployment in Namibia.
- Young people face different financial, skills and industry barriers when trying to create their own jobs.
- Greater private-sector involvement is needed to help young people move from education into employment and business.
