Tertiary students debate financial fraud

The Bank of Namibia hosted a tertiary student debate on 22 August 2025 at the National Theatre, focusing on illegal financial schemes. Students from universities across the country, including the International University of Management (IUM) and the University of Namibia (UNAM), engaged in spirited arguments on how to combat financial fraud and protect consumers.According to Mr K. Zemburuka, this year’s theme tackled the urgent issue of financial schemes. “Illegal financial schemes have become increasingly sophisticated, from pyramid schemes to unlicensed platforms,” he said. “This gathering is not just a competition of wits but a powerful platform for critical engagement to raise awareness.”One of the motions, supported by IUM and opposed by NUST, was: “This house would mandate that any financial product advertising returns above a certain threshold be subject to automatic investigation by the Central Bank.”UNAM made history as the first institution to win the debate competition three consecutive years since its inception. NUST took second place, IUM placed third, while Triumphant College came fourth. Additionally, Abraham Angula was announced as the best speaker.Iris Shimhanda, a debate participant from UNAM, emphasised that their team’s central message was to view scams not only as financial crimes but also as social threats. “Illegal financial schemes thrive on misinformation and desperation, and awareness is our strongest defence,” Shimhanda said. “By equipping young people with financial literacy and critical thinking skills, we can build a culture of vigilance and accountability.”The preparation process also reshaped the way students saw their own role in combating fraud. “I realised how deeply these schemes are embedded in our society, often disguised as opportunities,” reflected a 21-year-old NUST student. “But it also empowered me, because young people aren’t just passive targets. We’re digital natives, community leaders, and change agents. If we’re informed and united, we can disrupt these schemes before they take root.”As for solutions, students pointed to education as the most practical approach. They proposed integrating financial literacy into school curricula and youth programmes, supplemented by real-world case studies.The debate concluded with a call for collaboration between financial institutions, universities and youth-led organisations. By creating safe spaces for dialogue and reporting, students argued, Namibia can empower its youth to become the country’s first line of defence against financial fraud.

Tertiary students debate financial fraud

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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Tertiary students debate financial fraud

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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