STAFF WRITER
Namibia has launched a financial support programme for Small to Medium Scale enterprises meant to stimulate growth of small businesses to compete, grow and create jobs .
The project is called Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises Development in Namibia (ProSME) and also aims to strengthen the sustainability, competitiveness and growth potential of Namibian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The ProSME Project is implemented through a partnership between the National Planning Commission (NPC), the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
It receives funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The Fund is open to registered Namibian micro, small and medium enterprises with an annual turnover ranging from zero up to N$10 million and at least 51% Namibian ownership and control, as defined under the National Informal Economy, Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (NIESED) Policy.
The successful applicants will receive grant funding ranging from N$50,000 to N$100,000.
Speaking at the launch of the SME Fund, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, Jessica Hauuanga emphasised that,
“The 1SME Fund represents a deliberate effort to move beyond transactional support and invest in the long-term competitiveness of Namibian enterprises. By combining targeted grant funding with business development services and market access opportunities, we are equipping MSMEs with the capacity they need not just to survive, but to grow, create employment, and compete both at home and globally,”she said.
GIZ Namibia Country Director, Tobias Gerster said the partnership between Namibia and Germany is, at its core, a partnership between people with ideas, ambition, and the determination to create a better future for themselves .
“As governments, development partners, and financial institutions, our shared responsibility is to foster an environment in which that potential can be realised and those aspirations can thrive. Germany is proud to stand alongside Namibia in this endeavour, and we look forward to further strengthening our partnership as we work together to build a dynamic, inclusive, and resilient financial sector that supports prosperity for generations to ,”he said.
The SME Fund adopts an integrated approach by combining funding support with business development services aimed at improving enterprise performance and long-term sustainability.
This includes mentorship, support to strengthen production capacity, and guidance to help businesses prepare for new market opportunities. In addition to financial assistance, SMEs will also gain the necessary skills and support required to manage their businesses more effectively, grow sustainably, and leverage opportunities in local and international markets.
The initiative builds on Namibia’s existing efforts to strengthen the MSME ecosystem by enhancing collaboration between government, development partners and ecosystem stakeholders, creating a more coordinated support system that enables enterprises to grow, compete and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic development.
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