MPs warn youth could be sidelined in Namibia’s new Land Bill

Two lawmakers have warned that Namibia’s youth risk being marginalised in the country’s landmark Land Bill, urging Parliament to introduce explicit provisions to secure young people’s access to land, resources, and participation in land governance.Speaking during the second reading of the Bill in the National Assembly this week, deputy minister of industrialisation, mines and energy Gaudencia Kröhne said that although the legislation indirectly benefits young people through its focus on disadvantaged groups, it fails to make them a distinct priority.“Whilst the Bill does not explicitly highlight the youth as a distinct demographic, several provisions work indirectly and affect the youth,” Kröhne said, referring to Section 3(c), which prioritises socially and economically disadvantaged groups.However, she cautioned that indirect measures were inadequate in a country where young people make up around 70% of the population. “This omission presents a potential gap,” she said. “The Bill must introduce dedicated sections or clauses creating youth quotas in communal land allocations, subsidised leasing programmes, and resettlement schemes. It must also incorporate youth entrepreneurship support within land reform funds to enable agribusiness start-ups.”Kröhne further proposed that young people be given formal representation on land boards and advisory commissions. “Youth voices should shape decisions on land access, usage, and development,” she said. “Opportunities for youth participation exist via communal land boards and resettlement committees in Sections 6 and 72, but we need explicit frameworks for youth engagement in decision-making roles.”‘Make land a tool for empowerment, not a barrier’Echoing Kröhne’s concerns, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Inna Hengari criticised the Bill’s bureaucratic hurdles and complex application processes, which she said discourage young Namibians from pursuing agricultural ventures and rural livelihoods.“Young Namibians flock to cities in search of jobs, only to face urban poverty and informal settlements,” she said. “Bureaucratic hurdles in land allocation stifle rural entrepreneurship. To reverse this migration, we must simplify access to productive land.”Hengari called for fast-track mechanisms for youth applicants, digital application platforms, and clearer criteria to ensure fairness and transparency.“Make land a tool for empowerment, not a barrier,” she urged. “We must prioritise youth quotas in resettlement to harness their energy for sustainable farming and agribusiness.”A generational opportunityThe Land Bill, introduced by the minister of agriculture, water and land reform, seeks to redress colonial and apartheid-era land injustices, promote equitable access and sustainable land use, and align with Namibia’s National Development Plan 6.However, critics argue that by not addressing youth needs directly, the Bill risks undermining its own long-term vision for inclusive and sustainable development.Kröhne said empowering the youth was essential for economic transformation and national stability, describing them as “the engine of Namibia’s agricultural future”.“The capacity-building programmes funded through the Land Reform Fund can target youth farmers and entrepreneurs,” she said. “But unless youth are explicitly recognised and supported, Namibia risks missing its demographic dividend.”Both Kröhne and Hengari called for training programmes, agribusiness incubation, and financial support to help young people turn land allocations into productive enterprises.“The Bill must be refined to empower Namibia’s significant youth population explicitly,” Kröhne said. “Careful implementation accompanied by capacity building and transparency will facilitate inclusive growth and sustainable resource use.”

MPs warn youth could be sidelined in Namibia’s new Land Bill

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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MPs warn youth could be sidelined in Namibia’s new Land Bill

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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