Oshana secures N$403 000 for community projects

Government has allocated N$403 000 for rural community projects in the Oshana region for the 2026/2027 financial year, with each of the region's 11 constituencies set to receive approximately N$36 000.

Gideon Shitumbuleni, an official from the rural projects department in Oshana, announced the funding during a stakeholder engagement session hosted by the Oshana Regional Council on Tuesday, aimed at informing local businesses about available opportunities.

"Our goal is to develop rural areas to minimise the number of individuals leaving for urban centres in pursuit of better opportunities," he said.

Shitumbuleni made it clear that any viable projects can receive funding.

The scheme will fund projects across agriculture, crafts, retail, mining, tourism, manufacturing, hospitality, catering and tailoring. Individual projects can receive between N$10 000 and N$70 000 in non-refundable funding, and applicants must be at least 18 years old.

To qualify, businesses must be registered with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority, accessible for monitoring, and must create employment and generate income for the community.

Poultry farmer Gustaf Uunona, who benefited from the scheme in 2015, said receiving N$50 000 transformed his operation. He used the funds to purchase an incubator, generator and construction materials, growing his flock from 50 chickens to around 2 000.

Uunona encouraged others to apply, describing it as an excellent opportunity for anyone with a viable business idea.