Namibia’s Sport, Youth, and National Service sector has received a welcome financial boost, with the 2026/27 allocation rising by N$70.6 million to a total of N$750 million annually for the next three years.
This increase comes as part of the broader N$83.6 billion Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) announced yesterday for the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), which covers the 2026/27 to 2028/29 financial years.
Sport expert Isack Hamata hailed the inclusion of sports within the larger MTEF envelope as a signal that the government is taking the sector seriously.
“This demonstrates that sport is no longer viewed as a peripheral luxury, but as a core pillar of human capital development. By grouping it with Education and Innovation, the government is acknowledging the socio-economic value of sports in youth empowerment and national identity.
“The real test, however, lies in execution. The hope within the sporting fraternity is that the transition from the record 2025 budget to this leaner 2026 allocation does not stall the projects already in the pipeline.”
The increased allocation of N$750 million for the Sport, Youth, and National Service component is designed to support sport development programmes, youth empowerment initiatives, national service activities, operational costs, and infrastructure projects across the country. While the broader ministry commands a multi-billion-dollar budget over the three-year period, sport and its related portfolios account for a sizeable portion of the first-year MTEF cycle.
Freddy Mwiya, chief administrator of the Namibia Sport Commission, said the ministry had been clear about the economic outlook during a one-on-one engagement with Minister Sanet Steenkamp.
“We were advised to readjust our budgets while continuing to serve to the best of our abilities. We were prepared for this reality, as our leadership has been proactive in guiding us through the process, and contingency plans have already been put in place with priority given to the most critical areas. I believe projects specifically directed at serving and supporting our athletes will not be significantly affected, as their development remains central to our mandate,” Mwiya said.
For context, the 2024/25 financial year saw Vote 27: Sport, Youth, and National Service receive approximately N$679.4 million: a substantial 45% increase from the previous year, which was directed toward youth programmes, sport promotion, infrastructure upgrades, and preparatory support for hosting the Region 5 Youth Games.