Namibia and Botswana are to sign an agreement on research, science, and technology during the second Bi-National Commission, which will be co-chaired by the two nations' presidents this week.

This was revealed by the Director of Research and Innovation in the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Lovisa Immanuel, during a familiarisation workshop hosted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Youth, Civic Relations and Community Development.

"There is also an agreement that is finalised by our ministry and also cleared by the Attorney General's Office and ready for signing: the agreement between Namibia and Botswana. So in 2013, Namibia established NCRST, and then with this establishment of the institution, we have also seen a dedicated and increased funding availed by the government for research, science and technology, and this has also resulted in our growth as a country in terms of research and innovation. So this improved our rating in terms of spending on research and innovation regionally and internationally since the establishment of the NCRST as an institution."

During the same meeting, the Deputy Director for Employment and Training under the ministry, Lysias Haiduwa, highlighted youth economic empowerment initiatives in place. 

This includes the youth credit scheme, charcoal production, mushroom production, and youth skill production.

"All these initiatives are the driver towards empowering young people to become self-reliant. Starting with the Namibia Youth Credit Scheme."

The Deputy Director also announced that the psycho-social support offered to youth at clinics, which is only available in a few regions now, will be rolled out to all regions. 

"We are offering youth health and wellbeing, which is running in all 14 regions. We have youth-friendly clinics in some regions. These are clinics that are specifically meant for the young people because there has been an outcry from young people that they are not comfortable when they are approaching the main hospital, sometimes, you know."