Namibia stands at a crossroads. With 70% of our population under 35, we possess what many nations can only dream of: a young, energetic demographic capable of driving innovation, production, and economic transformation. 

Regretfully, we are also burdened by soaring unemployment rates, a growing semi-skilled workforce, and a tertiary education system that seems to operate in isolation from the true requirements of the economy. 

Where are our coders, our Artificial Intelligence (AI) champions, for example? The shortage of skills in the fields we need most for economic growth and prosperity must be addressed immediately. 

Youth unemployment is defined as the share of young people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). In Namibia, this issue is not new. According to recent reports, youth unemployment in Namibia stands at 46.1%, among the highest in the world. This figure represents not just a statistical problem but a deep-seated social issue affecting young Namibians, especially those between 15 and 24. 

These figures are particularly alarming given our small population and our reliance on key industries such as mining, agriculture, and tourism. Despite these resources, the demand for jobs far exceeds the number of opportunities available. Education and skills training have not kept pace with the needs of the labour market; it’s a perfect storm. 

There is a significant disconnect between our education system and the labour market’s needs. Many students graduate from secondary and tertiary institutions with qualifications that do not align with the skills employers require. This mismatch results in a surplus of graduates who struggle to find jobs in their field of study. 

Around the world, countries grappling with skills shortages have long recognised a simple truth: education systems must be tightly aligned with national development priorities. We must listen to the private sector. Other nations have built robust, innovative, and responsive training ecosystems that bridge the gap between learning and the labour market. Namibia needs to find this balance. 

For decades, Germany has run a highly successful dual vocational training system that integrates classroom theory with practical, industry-based apprenticeships. This model ensures that students do not emerge from universities and vocational colleges armed only with theoretical knowledge but rather with hands-on skills honed within actual workplaces. This would be an excellent blueprint for Namibia. 

We must also look to the future and at global developments. As parents and guardians, we grew up believing that doctors, lawyers, teachers, and nurses were the professions our children should choose. 

We need to embrace new skills. Programming, software coding, and AI jobs need to be firmly at the top of our wish list for developing graduates. We need to give our youngsters the information and roadmap to new jobs and skills so they can be bold and creative in their choices as they pursue education. 

If we talk about them becoming entrepreneurs, we need to create the environment and stimulate them to pursue that. It is the only way in which we can address Namibia’s dire skills shortage. 

This mind shift is crucial for achieving a well-balanced distribution of jobs and careers across all sectors. The recent oil and gas discoveries off the Namibian coast present a generational opportunity, but we risk squandering it if we fail to prepare our youth. The opportunities emerging in the oil and gas sector, as well as Green Hydrogen and Namibia’s push for renewable energy, can only be beneficial for those if our youth get proper jobs, and not just as unskilled labour. 

To harness and leverage this new wealth and sustain long-term growth, Namibia must implement a national skills strategy centred on partnership. We need industry bodies to sit down with educational institutions to co-design curricula and fund apprenticeships. We must strategically invest in STEM education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship ecosystems. 

There is an opportunity to bridge the digital divide, but tertiary institutions and businesses must be in sync. Our youth are not a problem to be managed; they are the solution to our economic future, provided we equip them today with the skills needed to build a prosperous and diverse Namibian economy tomorrow. 

*John Steytler is a former Economic Presidential Advisor, and founding member and MD of R&J Steytler