Namibia stands on the cusp of an economic shift.
With a high youth unemployment rate and a pressing need to create inclusive, sustainable growth, the spotlight is now firmly on a sector long underestimated – small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The recent inauguration of president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah marked a decisive moment for the SME community.
From the outset, her administration has placed entrepreneurship, job creation, and private-sector partnership at the forefront of its economic agenda.
It sends a clear message: SMEs are not a side note in Namibia’s development story – they are central to it.
It’s a focus that aligns closely with the ethos of First National Bank (FNB) Namibia, an institution that has long championed the role of SMEs in shaping Namibia’s economic landscape.
SME head at FNB Namibia Nesdha de Jongh says: “What’s exciting about this moment is that the national conversation is now catching up to what many of us in the sector have known all along – that SMEs are the heartbeat of economic revival.”
BUILDING AN ECOSYSTEM
Today, over 40 000 SMEs employ more than 200 000 Namibians, contributing significantly to the country’s gross domestic product.
However, the path to growth is filled with challenges – from limited financing and skills gaps to digital access and market entry barriers.
Recognising this, FNB Namibia has taken a distinctly ecosystem-focused approach designed to move beyond banking as usual.
Its SME Virtual Banking Hub offers entrepreneurs seamless, fully digital access to critical banking services, from opening accounts to applying for credit, removing geographic and logistical barriers that previously excluded many.
De Jongh says this shift is about more than convenience.
“It’s not just about processing transactions, it’s about building capacity and giving SMEs the digital tools to grow on their terms.”
This vision extends to knowledge and skill development. With the Business Toolkit now embedded in the FNB app, SME owners can access practical finance, strategy, and marketing training – anytime, anywhere.
GROUNDED IN LOCAL REALITIES
FNB’s innovation is deeply rooted in real-world engagement.
Its recently launched SME-focused podcast series brings entrepreneurs into the spotlight, offering a platform for sharing real-life insights and lessons learned, from funding struggles to growth wins.
According to De Jongh, storytelling plays a strategic role in ecosystem development.
“They show others what’s possible and spark ideas grounded in local realities.”
This grassroots orientation also informs the bank’s broader partnerships.
Through collaborations with organisations like BaseCamp and the Development Bank of Namibia, FNB delivers targeted upskilling initiatives that equip entrepreneurs to lead the conversation.
STRATEGIC COLLABORATION
FNB’s commitment extends across the country – it has forged region-specific partnerships that respond to the unique opportunities and challenges faced by local entrepreneurs.
At Otavi, a partnership with B2Gold Mine supports SME development through resource access and training.
At Oranjemund (OMD), collaboration with OMD is helping SMEs break into the emerging oil and gas sector.
And in Windhoek, FNB helped host the largest SME Summit alongside the City of Windhoek, providing a high-impact platform for local businesses to connect and grow.
De Jongh describes these partnerships as part of a broader strategy as “intentional, inclusive, and grounded in impact”.
NATIONAL AGENDA
What makes this moment particularly powerful is the alignment between government priorities and private-sector capability.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s emphasis on entrepreneurship has injected fresh urgency into a sector already teeming with potential, and institutions like FNB are ready.
“Because we’ve been investing in SMEs for years, we’re not starting from scratch; we’re building on a solid foundation,” says De Jongh.
TURNING POINT
Namibia’s SME landscape has possibilities, from technology to agribusiness to women-led ventures and youth-driven innovation.
Entrepreneurs are rewriting the country’s economic story. What sets this moment apart is the coordinated support now converging around them.
De Jongh is optimistic.
“Namibia’s entrepreneurs have always been resilient. Now, they can be resourced. That’s the difference. And that’s where we come in, to walk that journey with them every step of the way.”
As Namibia moves forward, it’s becoming clear that the future won’t be built by large institutions alone; it will be built by thousands of SMEs backed by the right tools, policies, and partners.
And with this new energy pulsing through the sector, the country may just be witnessing the rise of its next great economic chapter, one entrepreneur at a time.
- Kirsty Watermeyer is a group communications manager at FNB Namibia.
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