Iuze Mukube
As part of efforts to minimise the domestic skills gap, the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other stakeholders, hosted a two-day career fair to connect students with potential employment in the financial sector.
The event took place on 19 and 20 September 2024, and drew students from various academic backgrounds eager to explore career prospects
within financial institutions and universities.
In his opening remarks, the African Development Bank’s local representative Rees Mwasambili emphasised that a diverse workforce is critical to the bank’s ability to provide clients (regional member countries) the best and most innovative solutions.
“While the bank is proud of its current diverse workforce which is drawn from 75 of its 81 member countries, some member states such as Namibia still have a relatively low representation.
“This relatively low representation is why the AfDB, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises and other stakeholders, has organised this career fair as part of efforts to increase the representation of Namibia in our workforce,” Mwasambili added.
At the same occasion, deputy finance and public enterprises minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende said the right education, expertise, skills sets
and information are the stepping stones to a long and prosperous career, particularly for the youth’s future prospects in the African job market.
The deputy minister explained that out of 10% workforce representation of the southern African region of 11 countries, Namibia has a mere 1% representation. In addition, the country currently only has two staff members
out of approximately 2 100 staff complement of the bank, which no
doubt is an under-representation of a massive scale.
“What a privilege it would be if we had more young Namibian professionals employed by such remarkable institutions [ADFB] to build experience, plough back into Namibia and represent our interests. We need more funding too.”
Miriam Dikuua, acting vice chancellor of Nust, said the event was a significant initiative that promises to open doors for Namibians to explore and secure exciting career paths in one of Africa’s most impactful financial institutions, the African Development Bank.
“This career fair is not just an opportunity to connect with this prestigious institution, but a strategic move to empower Namibians, encouraging them to take up roles within the bank,” she said.
Various institutions including the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, University of Namibia (Unam), the International University
of Management (IUM) and Nust exhibited at the career fair to provide insight into the professions available to students in the broad finance
industry.