The Namibia Youth Energy Forum (NYEF) yesterday said it is set to launch a N$10 million fund to provide targeted support to young professionals. 

The fund has been designed to support professionals, youth-owned businesses and local SMEs operating in and around the energy sector, with a particular focus on oil and gas and emerging industries that serve the energy value chain. 

The NYEF described the fund as a transformative initiative, dedicated to empowering young Namibians and strengthening local content in the domestic energy sector. The fund is set to be officially unveiled at the Namibia Energy Connect & Energy Trailblazer Awards, scheduled for 4 and 5 November 2025 in Windhoek. 

“This initiative has been a long-standing goal for us,” said Fanuel Shinedima, director and chairperson of the management board of NYEF. “We are proud to see it take shape, and we are deeply grateful to our partners who have walked this journey with us. 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.” 

Founded in 2024, NYEF has rapidly grown into Namibia’s leading platform for youth engagement in oil and gas, hydrogen, and renewable energy. With full endorsement from the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), TotalEnergies and other local and international partners, NYEF is committed to building a sustainable and inclusive energy future driven by young professionals and entrepreneurs. 

Some of the key pillars of the fund include capital allocation, providing accessible financing to youth-led enterprises with scalable potential; infrastructure development, to support energy-related infrastructure projects, especially in Lüderitz and Walvis Bay; local content and contract financing, to enable local businesses to participate in procurement and service delivery; as well as growth support and capacity building to offering technical assistance, business development services, and training to enhance competitiveness and sustainability. 

This initiative aligns with NYEF’s broader mission to educate, inspire, and create opportunities for youth in the energy sector, while complementing the Namibian government’s call for inclusive, private-sector-led development. 

In a statement issued yesterday,NYEF noted it has partnered a range of local and international stakeholders to mobilise and deploy resources for the Youth Energy Fund. These partnerships are central to the fund’s success and reflect a shared commitment to building a resilient and inclusive energy ecosystem. 

“We are inviting Namibians, from government, industry, civil society, and communities, to join us in this journey,” Shinedima added. “Let us hold hands, share ideas, and pool resources to ensure we develop our energy sector together. This fund is our response to the need for meaningful youth participation and enterprise development in Namibia’s energy transition.” 

NYEF is committed to engaging and empowering the next generation to actively participate in and shape the country’s energy landscape through education, mentorship, and opportunity creation.