The Untapped Power of Namibia’s Youth Fund

The N$257-million national Youth Entrepreneurship Fund (Nyef) is one of the biggest opportunities young Namibians have seen in years.

Programmes like this matter, because they are not just about receiving money.

They give you a chance to influence government decision-making – more applications tell the government there’s interest and demand for funding. It’s also a step toward creating the jobs Namibia needs.

In January 2025, the Namibia Statistics Agency’s official labour force report revealed that Namibia’s overall unemployment rate stood at 36.9% in 2024.

Youth unemployment was even higher at 44.4%. At the same time, the economy is slowing.

In March 2025, the annual national accounts of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) noted that real gross domestic product (GDP) growth fell to 3.7% in 2024 from 4.4% in 2023, with GDP valued at N$245.1 billion.

The World Bank’s macro poverty outlook in April 2025 projected growth would slow further to just 2.9% in 2025.

These numbers highlight the scarcity of formal job opportunities and why entrepreneurship must fill the gap.

Applying to a fund like this sends a signal. It tells policymakers that youth-led businesses are alive, ambitious, and worth supporting.

But informal businesses often don’t keep proper records.

And that lack of discipline doesn’t just affect fundraising. It touches everything – how you set prices, how you track accounts, how you pay tax, and how you convince funders or customers that you’re credible.

Without records, you’re left relying on memory, and memory isn’t a system.

This is why so many funding applications fall short.

What works is simple clarity. Funders want to know how you make money, how much you’ve made so far, and how more funding will grow those numbers. Even basic monthly records of your costs, revenue, and profits can tell a clearer story than pages of buzzwords.

Another common mistake is treating the application as a once-off exercise rather than part of your ongoing business story.

Funders want to see you are building towards something.

If you can show steady improvement, it demonstrates you are not just hoping for a handout, but are working on building a sustainable company. This builds trust and gives funders more reason to back you.

And don’t forget the presentation. Funders are not expecting glossy brochures, but they do appreciate clear, straightforward writing. Drop the jargon. Explain your business the way you’d explain it to a neighbour who asks how you pay your rent from it.

Simple language shows confidence, while vague corporate phrases create doubt.

Some of you may have chosen not to apply because of fear – fear of rejection, fear of debt, or mistrust of the system.

Those feelings are real. But the worst outcome isn’t applying and failing – it’s not applying at all.

Even a failed application teaches you how to structure your records, frame your story, and defend your numbers. Those are skills you’ll need with banks, private investors, and even suppliers who extend your credit.

Applying for funding is like going to the gym. You won’t lift your weight on the first try, but with enough practice, you’ll be able to do so consistently.

The youth fund may be closing soon, but the lessons don’t expire. Future pilots will come. Other grants and competitions will open.

Investors will keep asking for details. If you start practising now, you’ll be able to apply faster, respond quicker, and make better decisions with confidence.

Namibia cannot afford another generation excluded from the formal economy.

And you, as a founder, cannot afford to let weak paperwork hold you back. So, whether you have applied or not, take this as your cue.

Build the habit of record-keeping. Practise telling your story with numbers.

The next time an opportunity arrives, you’ll be ready.

– Mo Shehu has a PhD and is the chief executive of Column, a United Kingdom-based media and research firm. He has over a decade’s experience across three continents.

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