The Chairperson of the National Council Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT, and Youth Development says while progress has been made in creating job opportunities for young people, challenges, such as limited funding, continue to hinder youth empowerment efforts.
Olivia Hanghuwo made the remarks while motivating a report by the National Council's Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT, and Youth Development.
The committee undertook an oversight visit between the 15th and 28th of September last year to youth projects in six regions to assess the achievements and identify potential challenges hindering the initiatives.
She highlighted that it is crucial for the government, private sector, and NGOs to work together to strengthen youth empowerment.
"The committee emphasises the importance of collaboration between the government, the private sector, and NGOs to create a more inclusive and impactful youth empowerment framework."
Hanghuwo noted that the Ministry of Youth will work on increasing youth empowerment.
"While training is provided to beneficiaries, ensuring ongoing mentorship from experienced business leaders could enhance the success rate of these enterprises. Pairing youth entrepreneurs with industry experts would provide guidance on business strategy, financial management, and innovation. Expanding market access by helping youth enterprises connect with larger markets through government procurement programmes, trade fairs, and digital platforms could boost their sustainability. Encouraging partnerships with established businesses would also create opportunities for growth."
In the report, the committee noted that there are over 876,000 youths in Namibia aged 15 to 34, of which only 310,000 are employed and 264,000 are unemployed.
Hanghuwo emphasised that there is a need for stronger monitoring and evaluation to ensure that programmes effectively address youth needs and adapt to changing economic conditions.
Meanwhile, LPM MP Paul Isaak claimed that loan funds are not reaching the southern part of the country.