N$50m arts funding to benefit Namibia’s entire creative ecosystem

Government’s N$50 million allocation to the creative arts industry in its 2025/2026 budget has been welcomed by stakeholders as long-overdue support for a sector often overlooked in national development plans.However, the announcement has also sparked public debate and raised questions about the scope and purpose of the funding.In response to growing public interest, Network Media Hub (NMH) reached out to the arts and culture ministry for clarification on how the funding will be used. The ministry&#039;s executive director Mbumba Erastus Haitengela emphasised that it is intended to support the entire creative sector, not just initiatives such as the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs).“The N$50 million allocation is intended for the broader creative industries unique to each region,” Haitengela explained, underscoring government’s expansive definition of creative industries, which draws from the Namibia arts, culture and heritage policy.The policy defines creative industries as having their origin in "individual creativity, skill and talent with a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property”.Haitengela explained the policy encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including dance, theatre, visual arts, literature, film, broadcasting, video games, festivals, architecture, fashion, advertising and more.He explained further that the N$50 million will be allocated across four priority areas designed to support the holistic development of Namibia’s creative sector.To address concerns about how the N$50 million will reach individual artists and creatives, Haitengela referred to the ministry’s existing mechanisms through the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN).“The council has set processes on how funds are distributed. Artists have opportunities to apply three times annually for grant funding projects, one cycle for bursaries, and an open window for mobility funding,” Haitengela explained. Funding outcomes are typically announced through the media, as well as on the NACN’s website and social media platforms.He underlined that the ministry remains committed to refining these processes to ensure broader accessibility and to stimulate more artistic activities across the country.Strengthening support in myriad waysThe executive director noted that a portion of the funding will support the development of regional creative hubs, designed to foster local talent and provide spaces for artistic innovation. These hubs will be established in collaboration with municipal and town councils, ensuring that development reaches beyond Windhoek and benefits communities nationwide.Another flagship component of the allocation is the establishment of a National Creative Industries Incubation Programme. This initiative will focus on entrepreneurship training, start-up support and mentorship for creatives, crafters, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the creative sector. Freelancers registered with the tax authority NamRA and the Social Security Commission (SSC) as well as MSMEs registered with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) will be eligible for start-up capital, facilities, and equipment. The programme aims to culminate in a national arts and creative industries expo and awards.Local content, arts education A significant share of the budget is earmarked for boosting Namibia’s local film and television industry.Spearheaded by the Namibia Film Commission (NFC) in collaboration with the Namibia Film Association, the initiative will support the production of local soap operas, limited television series and 14 regional short films.It also includes the acquisition of essential film production equipment, which will be made available for lease to local content creators. This initiative is seen as both a cultural and economic opportunity, offering employment to a wide range of industry professionals, from directors and screenwriters to costume designers and sound engineers.Recognising the foundational role of education in nurturing creative talent, the ministry has confirmed plans to invest in strengthening arts education in schools.This includes mapping schools in regional capitals for potential designation as creative learning centres, enhancing arts teacher training and boosting the capacity of arts extension officers. Importantly, this area of focus also lays the groundwork for the revival of the NAMAs in the 2026/2027 financial year, though Haitengela noted that more information on this will be shared as plans progress.Poised for growthWhile the revival of the NAMAs is a headline-grabbing development, Haitengela stressed that the 2025/2026 allocation reflects a deliberate shift toward comprehensive sector development. By focusing on entrepreneurship, capacity-building and infrastructure support, the ministry aims to create a more sustainable and economically viable creative sector, Haitengela said. “We hope to encourage the establishment of MSMEs in the creative industries so that we can work towards more sustainable creative industries,” he said, reaffirming that the funding will benefit all areas within the creative ecosystem.

N$50m arts funding to benefit Namibia’s entire creative ecosystem

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-16

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N$50m arts funding to benefit Namibia’s entire creative ecosystem

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-16

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