N$10m Youth Energy Fund to be unveiled in November
Kariiue KatjikondeYoung Namibians are set to benefit from a groundbreaking opportunity as the Namibia Youth Energy Forum (NYEF) prepares to launch the Youth Energy Fund, a N$10 million initiative aimed at empowering youth and boosting local content in the country’s fast-growing energy sector. The fund will be officially unveiled at the inaugural Namibia Energy Connect & Energy Trailblazer Awards 2025, scheduled for 4 and 5 November in Windhoek.
Founded just last year, NYEF quickly positioned itself as the country’s leading youth platform in Oil & Gas, Hydrogen and Renewable Energy. With backing from NAMCOR, TotalEnergies, and several other local and international partners, the forum is pushing to ensure young professionals and entrepreneurs have a central role in shaping Namibia’s energy future.
“This initiative has been a long-standing goal for us,” said Fanuel Shinedima, NYEF director and chairperson. “The Youth Energy Fund is more than just financial support; it is a strategic tool to unlock potential, strengthen local content, and create meaningful opportunities for Namibian youth,” he further added.
Support
The Youth Energy Fund is designed to support professionals, youth-owned businesses, and SMEs operating in and around the energy industry, with a particular focus on oil and gas and new renewable ventures. Its priorities include providing accessible financing for youth-led enterprises, supporting infrastructure development projects in Lüderitz and Walvis Bay, enabling local businesses to participate in procurement and service delivery, and offering technical assistance, business development services, and training to enhance competitiveness.
According to NYEF, this initiative complements the government’s call for inclusive, private-sector-led development while giving young people the tools to thrive in the energy transition. It is also part of NYEF’s broader mission to educate, inspire and create opportunities for youth in the energy sector.
The success of the fund relies heavily on collaboration. NYEF has partnered with a network of local and international stakeholders to mobilise and deploy resources for the Youth Energy Fund. “We are inviting Namibians from government, industry, civil society, and communities to join us in this journey,” Shinedima added. “This fund is our response to the need for meaningful youth participation in Namibia’s energy transition.”
NYEF has extended an open invitation to stakeholders, media and the public to attend the Namibia Energy Connect & Energy Trailblazer Awards 2025, where the full strategy and partnerships behind the Youth Energy Fund will be revealed.
Founded just last year, NYEF quickly positioned itself as the country’s leading youth platform in Oil & Gas, Hydrogen and Renewable Energy. With backing from NAMCOR, TotalEnergies, and several other local and international partners, the forum is pushing to ensure young professionals and entrepreneurs have a central role in shaping Namibia’s energy future.
“This initiative has been a long-standing goal for us,” said Fanuel Shinedima, NYEF director and chairperson. “The Youth Energy Fund is more than just financial support; it is a strategic tool to unlock potential, strengthen local content, and create meaningful opportunities for Namibian youth,” he further added.
Support
The Youth Energy Fund is designed to support professionals, youth-owned businesses, and SMEs operating in and around the energy industry, with a particular focus on oil and gas and new renewable ventures. Its priorities include providing accessible financing for youth-led enterprises, supporting infrastructure development projects in Lüderitz and Walvis Bay, enabling local businesses to participate in procurement and service delivery, and offering technical assistance, business development services, and training to enhance competitiveness.
According to NYEF, this initiative complements the government’s call for inclusive, private-sector-led development while giving young people the tools to thrive in the energy transition. It is also part of NYEF’s broader mission to educate, inspire and create opportunities for youth in the energy sector.
The success of the fund relies heavily on collaboration. NYEF has partnered with a network of local and international stakeholders to mobilise and deploy resources for the Youth Energy Fund. “We are inviting Namibians from government, industry, civil society, and communities to join us in this journey,” Shinedima added. “This fund is our response to the need for meaningful youth participation in Namibia’s energy transition.”
NYEF has extended an open invitation to stakeholders, media and the public to attend the Namibia Energy Connect & Energy Trailblazer Awards 2025, where the full strategy and partnerships behind the Youth Energy Fund will be revealed.
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