Matheus David
The Bank of Namibia launched a national Financial Inclusion Awareness Campaign on Tuesday, a flagship initiative aimed at promoting awareness on equitable access to financial services and deepening the quality and usage of those services across the country. The campaign forms part of the bank’s broader commitment to ensuring that every Namibian, regardless of geographic location, income level, or educational background, is empowered to participate meaningfully in the formal financial system.
Deputy Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Ebson Uanguta, described the campaign as more than just a communications drive. He stated that it is a call to collective action and a symbol of national intent. “An inclusive financial system is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” he remarked. As a key stakeholder in Namibia’s financial system, the Bank of Namibia recognises that true monetary stability cannot exist without meaningful economic participation by all our citizens. He acknowledged that while significant progress has been made in increasing access to financial services, the challenge now lies in ensuring that this access translates into real economic opportunity. “Behind each statistic are real people, entrepreneurs, farmers, students, pensioners, many still constrained by barriers we have the power to remove. Access must go deeper than a bank account; it must open doors to real and meaningful participation in the financial system,” he said.
He continued by emphasising the need to establish financial inclusion on three interconnected pillars: consumer protection, financial knowledge and access to financial services. Without comprehension, access creates vulnerability. Lack of access to protection solidifies marginalisation. We need to take a concerted and all-encompassing approach, he said. Uanguta further demonstrated the human cost of financial exclusion by focusing on the experiences of many Namibians, such as the unorganised trader who was denied credit because of antiquated collateral laws, the recent graduate who had a business idea but was unable to obtain seed money, and the elderly person who was vulnerable to fraud because of a lack of digital literacy. “These stories are commonplace realities, not exceptions,” he continued. As varied as the communities we serve, our solutions must be united in their dedication to inclusivity.
The campaign aims to engage communities through outreach, education and media in multiple local languages. It will also feature strategic initiatives such as the release of a Digital Financial Literacy Booklet and the launch of a new financial inclusion survey, in partnership with the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). Uanguta confirmed that these tools will provide updated insights into gaps in financial inclusion and inform evidence-based policy reforms. He also highlighted the bank’s work on the development of the Instant Payment System, which aims to modernise digital transactions in Namibia and make them faster, safer and more inclusive.
Namibia is well-known throughout the world for its efforts to promote financial inclusion. The renowned Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum, an international forum for promoting inclusive policies, will take place in Swakopmund in September 2025.
As Uanguta emphasised, however, domestic effect is the real test of leadership. He asserted that “leadership is meaningless without influence at home.” “Holding the GPF must be a manifestation of genuine change and dedication on the ground, not just a ceremonial milestone.”
The Bank of Namibia will keep collaborating with its public and private sector partners to make sure that every Namibian, one community, one company, and one household at a time, benefits from financial inclusion.