With a high unemployment rate of 36.9% in Namibia, the country and Germany have launched a new project called TalentsBridge Namibia. The programme aims to help solve high youth unemployment in Namibia and a shortage of skilled workers in Germany.
TalentsBridge Namibia is being developed as part of the long-standing city partnership between Windhoek and Berlin. The project is supported by key institutions, including the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts & Culture, and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).
It is a partnership between the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Berlin) and TalentsBridge e.V. It will give young Namibians the chance to join a structured skills training programme. The training will prepare them for jobs in both Namibia and Germany.
The programme will start with training in Industrial Electrics, Wholesale and Retail, and Hospitality. Organisers say TalentsBridge will become a centre of excellence. It will create jobs and make sure young people have the right skills for today’s job market and the global economy.
The project also supports Namibia’s National Development Plan 6 (NDP6). This national plan focuses on youth empowerment, skills development, economic growth and international partnerships. By improving skills and opening job pathways, TalentsBridge aims to reduce unemployment, inequality and poverty. Acting CEO of NIPDB Jessica Hauuanga said that for Namibia, TalentsBridge is a catalyst for stronger human capital, improved employability, and a more competitive investment environment. For investors, it provides assurance that Namibia is responsive to their needs, be it from a policy framework or skills availability perspective.
“As an investment-ready destination, we are ready to make the necessary investments to ensure that we develop and cultivate skills that are aligned with market demands and economic growth,” she said.
Applications for the first group of trainees are now open to all Namibian youth. The closing date is 31 March 2026. The selection process will be fair and merit based. In the first year, 100 young people will be chosen. Preparatory courses, including language lessons, will begin in May 2026. Vocational training will officially start on 1 September 2026.
Sebastian Stietzel, president of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the Talentsbridge, stated that applying for training at the TalentsBridge Training Centre marks the first step toward a new professional future for young people in Namibia.
“This is because the training, which is based on IHK standards, is geared toward the skilled labour needs of our partner companies. Those who complete the training and pass the exams can start working as skilled workers in Germany right away. Young people trained to IHK standards are also in high demand in Namibia. We are therefore very pleased that the Namibian government is providing such strong support for the TalentsBridge project as we now move into the decisive implementation phase of this joint project,” he said.