APRM reforms unlock N$63m for youth

A youth-focused investment of approximately N$63 million has been channelled into 211 approved projects under Namibia’s National Youth Development Fund, positioning the initiative as a central outcome of governance reforms linked to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

Of that total, about N$16.8 million has already been disbursed to support youth-led enterprises across sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, technology and the arts, signalling what policymakers describe as tangible progress in tackling unemployment among young people.

APRM national governing council chairperson ambassador Wilfried I. Emvula said the fund demonstrates how review processes can translate into real economic interventions.

“The targeted review on youth unemployment has carried weight, and therefore things are happening,” he said.

The APRM, an autonomous instrument of the African Union established in 2003, conducts peer reviews among member states to assess governance standards and promote policy reform.

Namibia joined the mechanism in 2017 and has since undertaken both a targeted review on youth unemployment in 2021 and a comprehensive country review in 2024.

Emvula stressed that the APRM process is grounded in inclusivity and accountability. “We always respect that document to make sure that we are doing the right thing,” he said, referring to the framework guiding the mechanism. “That document has spoken to inclusivity, and therefore we feel that once we are using that document, we are doing the right thing.”

Broader plans

Beyond the youth fund, government has introduced a series of complementary measures. These include apprenticeship and internship programmes across public institutions, as well as subsidised tertiary education introduced in 2026, covering full tuition and registration fees for vocational trainees up to NQF Level 6.

Officials say these interventions are aligned with broader governance reforms identified through APRM reviews. Among these are improved access to information, resulting in the enactment of access to information legislation, and the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund, which has grown from an initial N$262 million to approximately N$479 million.

The APRM’s expanded mandate now also incorporates emerging governance challenges such as disaster resilience and e-governance, reflecting lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and rapid digitalisation.

Ticking time bomb

Civil society leaders, however, cautioned that implementation and oversight remain critical. Veteran activist Uhuru Dempers highlighted the need for stronger engagement and accountability in ensuring programmes reach intended beneficiaries. “Youth unemployment is a time bomb,” Dempers said. “There are very concrete recommendations that have been made. What is the progress with the implementation of those reports?”

He questioned whether initiatives such as the youth fund are sufficiently inclusive. “Is it benefiting the youth that really needs it? Or is it benefiting the children of the well-connected?" he asked.

Dempers also emphasised the importance of civil society participation in the APRM process, noting that organisations were involved from its inception in Namibia. “Civil society is one of the midwives of APRM in Namibia,” he said, adding that the country’s model remains comparatively open. “In Namibia civil society is dominating APRM in terms of representation… we must not take this for granted.”

Despite progress, challenges persist within civil society itself, including resource constraints and governance issues. Dempers called for renewed solidarity and internal accountability, warning that weak organisational structures undermine the sector’s ability to hold government to account.

The APRM framework requires member states to translate review findings into national programmes of action and report periodically on progress. Namibia is expected to submit its next comprehensive progress report in February 2027.

Emvula underscored that the mechanism’s success depends on broad participation. “These programmes are not just government-owned and government-driven," he said. “We expect all stakeholders to come in and have a role to play.”