EAN hosts dialogue on venture capital and private equity
In an era where venture capital and private equity have accelerated business growth, created jobs, and fostered innovation across the world, the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), in partnership with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), hosted a public discussion under the theme “Investing in Potential: How Venture Capital & Private Equity Can Drive Namibia’s Economic Transformation.”
The event brought together private sector leaders and investment professionals, as well as members of civil society. The discussion explored practical ways in which venture capital and private equity can support the growth of Namibian enterprises and help diversify the economy while ensuring strong governance and meaningful developmental impact.
The public dialogue aimed to explore the role of venture capital and private equity in Namibia’s economic transformation, discuss the policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks needed to attract and sustain investment, and identify opportunities for collaboration among government, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Jesaya Hano-Oshike the Vice President of the Economic Association of Namibia highlighted the roles of venture capital and private equity.
“Around the world, venture capital and private equity have proven to be powerful engines for innovation, job creation and inclusive growth and prove to be as they breach the gap between promising ideas and the capital required to turn them into viral businesses. In Namibia where small medium enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the economy and access to the capital remains limited, venture capital and private equity fill the void by providing funding and strategic guidance, governance and networks,” he said.
Giving a presentation, Cacious Siboleka, manager of alternative investments, GIPF highlighted the role of private equity.
“Private equity firms acquire significant stakes to drive operational improvements, strategic repositioning and value creation through active ownership, typically exiting within 3-7 years via sale or public offering. The main difference between private equity and venture capital is that venture capital investors actively support portfolio companies through strategic guidance, network access and operational expertise, targeting substantial returns over 5-10 years.”
He stressed the importance of private equity and venture capital is for economic diversification, job creation, serve as an innovation catalyst and market access.
He cautioned of the gaps in Namibia’s unlisted investment industry which are namely weak investor oversight and governance, deviations from global best practices, poor transparency reporting and accountability, fragmented investor base and limited support for local fund managers. Additionally, Nicole Maske, the director at Manta Ventures shared insight into how venture capital can drive Namibia’s economic transformation.
“Namibia has 40,000 SMEs that create 200 000 jobs and contribute 12% towards GDP. In 2024, Namibia’s startup ecosystem ranked 8th in Africa and 87th globally,” she said.
The event brought together private sector leaders and investment professionals, as well as members of civil society. The discussion explored practical ways in which venture capital and private equity can support the growth of Namibian enterprises and help diversify the economy while ensuring strong governance and meaningful developmental impact.
The public dialogue aimed to explore the role of venture capital and private equity in Namibia’s economic transformation, discuss the policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks needed to attract and sustain investment, and identify opportunities for collaboration among government, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Jesaya Hano-Oshike the Vice President of the Economic Association of Namibia highlighted the roles of venture capital and private equity.
“Around the world, venture capital and private equity have proven to be powerful engines for innovation, job creation and inclusive growth and prove to be as they breach the gap between promising ideas and the capital required to turn them into viral businesses. In Namibia where small medium enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the economy and access to the capital remains limited, venture capital and private equity fill the void by providing funding and strategic guidance, governance and networks,” he said.
Giving a presentation, Cacious Siboleka, manager of alternative investments, GIPF highlighted the role of private equity.
“Private equity firms acquire significant stakes to drive operational improvements, strategic repositioning and value creation through active ownership, typically exiting within 3-7 years via sale or public offering. The main difference between private equity and venture capital is that venture capital investors actively support portfolio companies through strategic guidance, network access and operational expertise, targeting substantial returns over 5-10 years.”
He stressed the importance of private equity and venture capital is for economic diversification, job creation, serve as an innovation catalyst and market access.
He cautioned of the gaps in Namibia’s unlisted investment industry which are namely weak investor oversight and governance, deviations from global best practices, poor transparency reporting and accountability, fragmented investor base and limited support for local fund managers. Additionally, Nicole Maske, the director at Manta Ventures shared insight into how venture capital can drive Namibia’s economic transformation.
“Namibia has 40,000 SMEs that create 200 000 jobs and contribute 12% towards GDP. In 2024, Namibia’s startup ecosystem ranked 8th in Africa and 87th globally,” she said.
