A Youth-to-Youth Indaba organised by the Swapo Party Okongo District is currently underway at Okongo in the Ohangwena Region.

The initiative aims to educate and empower young people on how to access and benefit from the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF), which was launched by the Head of State in September last year.

Through its ongoing political programme engagements, the Swapo Party Okongo District has identified that many young people in the area face challenges when applying for funding from the NYDF. 

This situation has resulted in non-youth from Okongo benefiting from the fund so far.

The indaba was therefore organised to bridge this gap by providing clear guidance and information on the application process and requirements of the fund.

A total of 1,200 young people are attending the event, with 80% coming from Okongo. 

In the spirit of inclusivity, youth from Ongenga, Eenhana, Omundaungilo, and Oshikunde constituencies are also part of the gathering.

To further support participation, an amount of N$150,000 has been made available by the Swapo Party Okongo District. 

This will be distributed in vouchers worth N$1,500 to be won to assist young people in developing and submitting their business proposals.

Additional incentives at the indaba include laptops, bags, and caps.

Key institutions such as the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA), the Namibia Revenue Agency (NAMRA), the Development Bank of Namibia, and Ransam Consultancy are also present to provide valuable information and guidance to equip youth with the tools needed to start and grow their own businesses.