LÜDERITZ – Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said entrepreneurship is the only way to bring about sustainable development in Africa, including Namibia.
This was said when she was virtually addressing participants of a three-day High Level Youth Entrepreneurial Mentorship Conference and Expo, which started at the southern harbour town yesterday.
“A seminar like this is a welcome move that our youth must take advantage of,” she emphasised.
She added the theme, ‘Youth Participation in the Namibian Economy by taking full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) through Entrepreneurial Innovation’ is most befitting.
The minister of international relations elaborated it is among other government’s responsibility to provide a conducive environment for the youth to thrive socio-economically.
“This includes creating a favourable policy environment for the youth to take advantage of key opportunities that exist to promote and support entrepreneurship amongst them,” she explained.
She, however, advised this should be a collective effort from society working together as stakeholders to realise it accordingly.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also said the youth have an important role to play to bring about and sustain meaningful change – not only in their communities but also in Africa and the globe at large.
“In developing implementation programmes for youth entrepreneurs, four challenges have been identified, namely mentoring, networking, finance and information,” the deputy premier explained.
She added it is against this background there are various instruments and windows available that can be accessed through the African Union website, which can also complement what the nation is doing at the country level to help these young entrepreneurs.
Referring to the agriculture sector, she regarded it as one that has the potential to grow the country’s economy, create necessary jobs and take people out of poverty.
“Agriculture does not only produce food for immediate consumption but is also a source of raw material needed in industries, such as food processing, clothes and furniture, amongst others,” said the minister.
She continued that when government decided to ratify the AfCFTA, it did so out of the desire to benefit from the untapped continental market through the intensification of intra-African trade.
“The Namibian youth should, thus, not allow this opportunity to pass, hence my appeal to them and the Namibian nation at large to follow the implementation of these African instruments and make optimal use of it, particularly now that most information is available on the internet,” the deputy prime minister said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah called on the group to take full advantage of the rare opportunity offered to benefit in the areas of leadership and business management skills.
In her remarks, !Nami#Nus constituency councillor Susan Ndjaleka said the conference is allaying a foundation for success and building trust for the future.
“As we continue this youth transformation journey, we will work on diversifying the economy, supporting local content and developing innovative opportunities for the future, “she explained.
Ndjaleka continued that since the political leadership in the country is striving to create an attractive and enabling environment for the youth to operate within, they should show appreciation for it through demonstrating their commitment, willingness and discipline.
- sklukowshi@nepc.com.com