ONE Foundation boosts local trades

From 26 February to 05 March 2026, the One Economy Foundation’s (ONE) Youth Opportunity Pillar, in partnership with the FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust, hosted the "Empower to Earn" skills development training sessions in Groot Aub, Rehoboth, and Okahandja. This rollout follows the official launch of the initiative in Windhoek on 12 February 2026.

The Phase 2 training component was delivered through two-day intensive workshops for 30 participants in each of the three towns. Each workshop, led by entrepreneurs in various trades, combined practical technical training with entrepreneurship coaching focused on business setup, financial decision-making, costing, and marketing.

Evidence-based skills selection

Delivering the welcoming remarks at the CJC Agricultural College in Groot Aub, Saddam Biwa, director of operations at ONE, said that Empower to Earn is about equipping young people with practical skills and giving them a platform to turn those skills into an income.

“Empower to Earn is about equipping young people with practical skills and giving them a platform to turn those skills into an income. We looked at skills development in a broader sense and asked how best we can capacitate young people in these communities. This was achieved through evidence-based skills selection," Biwa said.

Israel Mukumba, founder of the CJC Agricultural College, said participants should fully immerse themselves in the sessions so they can return home and expand their knowledge with friends and colleagues.

“Please feel free, flexible, and ready to learn. I know your instructors are

ready to empty themselves so that when you go back home, you are full and expand with other friends and

colleagues,” Mukumba said.

Financial Literacy and Local Support

In his financial literacy session, FNB Namibia’s Cornelius Onkgoditse said that disciplined budgeting, savings, and avoiding unnecessary debt are vital for business. Similarly, the Rehoboth Urban East Constituency Councillor, Edward Wambo, said to participants that they must put the skills and knowledge acquired to good use.

The training design intentionally merges technical expertise with financial capability. This addresses the common challenge where skilled youth struggle to grow enterprises due to limited management capacity. Pewanifo Shikudule, founder of YakaBee Hair Salon, said that aspiring hairdressers should not be afraid of starting their own ventures.

The path to prosperity

Randall De Wee, a barbering participant from Rehoboth, said the training exposed him to new aspects of the trade and said that with his new starter kit, nothing is standing in his way.

Over the next four months, participants will undergo Phase 3, which includes mentorship from the YO! team and FNB Namibia. Mr Biwa said that everyone in the programme will be supported to register a business, open a bank account, and establish a steady stream of income. Through this initiative, the One Economy Foundation and FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust said they remain committed to building pathways for young Namibians to contribute to the country’s economic future.