National Youth Service, Kongalend Microfinance pen agreement
The National Youth Service (NYS) and Konga Microfinance have officially entered into a strategic partnership aimed at empowering Namibia’s youth and women through targeted initiatives in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, biomass production and sustainable Youth-led enterprise development. The agreement was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony held on 14 May 2025 at the NYS Head Office in Windhoek.
The partnership seeks to unlock the potential of young people and women entrepreneurs to contribute meaningfully to national development. The MoU outlines several key focus areas, including financing for youth- and women-led solar and small-scale businesses, support for climate-resilient agriculture, and training in biomass and charcoal production. Moreover, it provides pathways for NYS graduates to access jobs and market opportunities within these high economic impact sectors.
The partnership also aims to enhance financial inclusion through youth- and women-friendly credit facilities, financial literacy, business training and mentorship programmes. Joint awareness campaigns will be undertaken to foster a culture of responsible and entrepreneurial leadership among the youth.
\"This collaboration comes at a time when the government is calling for strengthened partnerships to address youth unemployment and bolster socio-economic progress. With Konga Microfinance’s financial and technical support, we are addressing the immediate needs of the 600 youth currently undergoing the Youth Self-Employment Charcoal Production training at Gemsbokpan Farm in the Otjozondjupa Region,\" NYS commissioner Felix Musukubili said.
On his part, Tshoombe Ndadi, Konga Microfinance chairman said: \"We are extremely excited about this opportunity to partner with the National Youth Service in charting a way forward for impactful economic youth development. Konga Microfinance believes that no single institution can address the country’s socio-economic challenges alone.\"
The partnership seeks to unlock the potential of young people and women entrepreneurs to contribute meaningfully to national development. The MoU outlines several key focus areas, including financing for youth- and women-led solar and small-scale businesses, support for climate-resilient agriculture, and training in biomass and charcoal production. Moreover, it provides pathways for NYS graduates to access jobs and market opportunities within these high economic impact sectors.
The partnership also aims to enhance financial inclusion through youth- and women-friendly credit facilities, financial literacy, business training and mentorship programmes. Joint awareness campaigns will be undertaken to foster a culture of responsible and entrepreneurial leadership among the youth.
\"This collaboration comes at a time when the government is calling for strengthened partnerships to address youth unemployment and bolster socio-economic progress. With Konga Microfinance’s financial and technical support, we are addressing the immediate needs of the 600 youth currently undergoing the Youth Self-Employment Charcoal Production training at Gemsbokpan Farm in the Otjozondjupa Region,\" NYS commissioner Felix Musukubili said.
On his part, Tshoombe Ndadi, Konga Microfinance chairman said: \"We are extremely excited about this opportunity to partner with the National Youth Service in charting a way forward for impactful economic youth development. Konga Microfinance believes that no single institution can address the country’s socio-economic challenges alone.\"
