Equipping Namibia's SME's to win

Namibia stands on the cusp of an economic shift. With high youth unemployment and a pressing need to create inclusive, sustainable growth, the spotlight is now firmly on a sector long underestimated — Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).The recent inauguration of Her Excellency President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah marked a decisive moment for the SME community. From the outset, her administration has placed entrepreneurship, job creation, and private-sector partnership at the forefront of its economic agenda. It sends a clear message: SMEs are not a side note in Namibia's development story — they are central to it.It is focus that aligns closely with the ethos of FNB Namibia, an institution that has long championed the role of SMEs in shaping Namibia's economic landscape. ForNesdha De Jongh, head of SME at FNB Namibia, this is not a new conversation, it is a long-standing commitment gaining new momentum."FNB has been walking with SMEs for years, providing not only capital but capacity," De Jongh said. "What is exciting about this moment is that the national conversation is now catching up to what many of us in the sector have known all along, that SMEs are the heartbeat of economic revival."Building an ecosystemToday, over 40 000 SMEs employ more than 200 000 Namibians, contributing significantly to the country's Gross Domestic Product. However, the path to growth is filled with challenges, from limited financing and skills gaps to digital access and market entry barriers. Recognising this, FNB Namibia has taken a distinctly ecosystem-focused approachdesigned to move beyond banking as usual. Its SME Virtual Banking Hub offers entrepreneurs seamless, fully digital access to critical banking services, from opening accounts to applying for credit, removing geographic and logistical barriers that previously excluded many.De Jongh noted that this shift is about more than convenience. "We are re-imagining the bank's role in an entrepreneur's life. It is not just about processing transactions, it is about building capacity and giving SMEs the digital tools to grow on their terms." This vision extends to knowledge and skill development. With the Business Toolkit now embedded in the FNB App, SME owners can access practical finance, strategy, and marketing training, anytime, anywhere. Grounded in local realitiesFNB's innovation is deeply rooted in real-world engagement. Its recently launched SME-focused podcast series brings entrepreneurs into the spotlight, offering a platform for sharing real-life insights and lessons learned, from funding struggles to growth wins.According to De Jongh, storytelling plays a strategic role in ecosystem development."These conversations are powerful because they normalise the journey of entrepreneurship. They show others what is possible and spark ideas grounded in local realities." Aligning with a national agendaWhat makes this moment particularly powerful is the alignment between government priorities and private-sector capability. President Nandi-Ndaitwah's emphasis onentrepreneurship has injected fresh urgency into a sector already teeming with potential, and institutions like FNB are ready."Because we have been investing in SMEs for years, we are not starting from scratch; we are building on a solid foundation," said De Jongh. "Our platforms, partnerships, and products are designed for this kind of acceleration. With the right policy environment in place, we can take this to the next level."Namibia's entrepreneurial turning pointNamibia's SME landscape has possibilities, from technology to agribusiness to women-led ventures and youth-driven innovation. Entrepreneurs are rewriting the country's economic story. What sets this moment apart is the coordinated support now converging around them.Namibia's entrepreneurs have always been resilient. Now, they can be resourced. That is the difference, and that is where we come in, to walk that journey with them every step of the way."As Namibia moves forward, it is becoming clear that the future will not be built by large institutions alone; it will be built by thousands of SMEs backed by the right tools,policies, and partners, and with this new energy pulsing through the sector, the country may just be witnessing the rise of its next great economic chapter, one entrepreneur at a time.*Nesdha De Jongh is the head of SME at FNB Namibia.**

Equipping Namibia's SME's to win

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-09

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Equipping Namibia's SME's to win

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-09

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