NYDF approves N$14.9m for youth-owned businesses

The National Youth Development Fund (NYDF) has approved N$14.9 million in funding for youth-owned enterprises through the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), widening access to finance for young entrepreneurs. Finance ministry spokesperson Wilson Shikoto said the latest approvals, amounting to N$8.6 million, were granted to 30 youth-owned businesses between 1 November 2025 and 30 January 2026, marking the third round of approvals since the fund’s launch. A previous allocation of N$5.3 million supported 16 enterprises. In total, 46 youth-owned businesses have now secured funding. DBN is finalising disbursements while assessing about 40 additional applications, with further decisions expected by end-February 2026.