New boost for farming finance
The Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) and the German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation (DSIK) have signed a cooperation agreement to boost financial inclusion and economic resilience in the country's agricultural sector.
The agreement, signed on Thursday, is part of a broader regional project funded by the German Federal ministry for economic cooperation and development (BMZ). Operating across Zambia, Malawi, and Namibia, the initiative aims to strengthen small and medium enterprises, improve access to financial services, and promote financial literacy while fostering gender-equitable employment.
Under the new partnership, Agribank will receive technical assistance, knowledge transfer, and implementation support. The collaboration will focus on delivering targeted training for agricultural smallholders, building internal staff capacity, and developing sustainable financing solutions to support the bank’s broader strategy.
Abel Akayombokwa, Agribank’s acting chief executive, said the collaboration aligns with the bank's mandate to advance inclusive agricultural development. He noted that the partnership represents an important milestone in enhancing financial inclusion and strengthening the capacity of farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
Akayombokwa added that by sharing international expertise and innovative training methodologies, Agribank would be better positioned to support client growth and contribute to the transformation of the agricultural sector.
Stefan Henklemann, the head of DSIK’s Africa division, said the partnership underscores the importance of collaboration between the two institutions. He added that strengthening national and regional cooperation through knowledge transfer would contribute to long-term efforts to build a sustainable and resilient agriculture value chain.
The 24-month project is scheduled to run from August 2026 to July 2028. It is expected to support livelihoods, increase economic participation by underserved communities, and improve resilience among local households and agri-businesses.
