SWAKOPMUND -The Office of the Prime Minister’s executive director I-Ben Nashandi has urged directors and managers serving in that office to prioritise youth employment.
“A competitive and sustainable economy is key to solving youth unemployment. We must ensure our policies create opportunities for young people, especially through procurement that supports local businesses. Namibian youth-led enterprises must benefit from government contracts,” he said.
Nashandi was speaking at a Strategic Plan (2025-2030) and the 2025/26 Annual Plan and Performance Agreements’ workshop in Swakopmund on Monday.
The purpose of the workshop is to guide the Prime Minister’s Office in its efforts to achieve national development targets.
With just five years left before Namibia’s Vision 2030 deadline, Nashandi says tackling youth unemployment has become a pressing issue. Namibia’s youth unemployment rate, for those aged 15-24, stood at 38.03% in 2023.
He emphasised that their focus must be on job creation, economic sustainability and youth empowerment.
He added that addressing unemployment is crucial for national progress, and must be prioritised.
Erongo governor Neville Andre, who also spoke at the event, stressed that strategic planning must lead to real outcomes, rather than remaining a bureaucratic exercise.
“Strategic planning forces us to think ahead, anticipate challenges and align our policies with long-term national goals. This workshop is not just a formality—it is a call to action. The decisions we make here will determine the future of our country,” he said.
He added that a strong performance management system is needed to ensure employment strategies are effectively implemented.
Andre said, none of these efforts will succeed without ethical governance and accountability.
“We must cultivate a culture of integrity. Corruption and inefficiency have hindered economic progress for too long. If we are serious about Vision 2030, resources allocated for job-creation must be used as intended,” he said.
Andre added that technocrats must ensure that policies are implemented effectively as service delivery is at the heart of governance, and the success of Vision 2030 depends on how well these strategies are executed.
edeklerk@nepc.com.na