President Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah said despite recent improvements, more needs to be done to reduce youth unemployment in the country.
She said this in remarks delivered on her behalf at the opening of the 3rd General Assembly of the National Youth Council of Namibia at Swakopmund.
Addressing youth delegates from across the country, Nandi-Ndaitwah said youth unemployment remains one of Namibia's biggest socio-economic challenges, currently standing at 44.4%, although it has declined from 46.1% in previous years.
She said the government is determined to create more opportunities for young people and has set a target under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) to increase youth employment from 56.6% to 70% by 2030.
The NDP6, she adds, also plans to reduce the number of young people not in employment, education or training to 25% from 42%.
She highlighted several government initiatives aimed at increasing youth employability and entrepreneurship.
These include free higher education at public universities and vocational training centres, work-integrated learning programmes, the National Youth Development Fund and the expansion of vocational training opportunities across all 14 regions.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi delivered Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's address on her behalf.
"To successfully harness the youth dividend, the government has focused on targeted initiatives aimed at supporting our youth in skills development and entrepreneurship. The aim is to see more Namibian youth empowered economically and be able to become job creators and entrepreneurs."
She also encouraged young people to take advantage of opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, where the government aims to increase local food production from 60 to 80% by 2030.
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged young people to actively participate in development programmes instead of remaining idle, saying the government continues to invest in initiatives designed to improve their livelihoods.
"The government is aware that our country has one of the youngest populations globally, with about 71% of our population under the age of thirty-five. A population this young is either our greatest economic opportunity or a cost we will carry for decades if we fail to act. Therefore, this gathering is about prudent action and strong and visionary leadership. Let our youth, as future leaders of this nation, understand their role and make use of the privileges and opportunities this government has established."
The four-day assembly brought together youth organisations from across Namibia to elect new leadership for the National Youth Council, which serves as the country's statutory umbrella body representing and coordinating youth organisations.