Standard Bank Namibia marked the successful culmination of the Blue Growth Series, a pioneering four-month MSME capacity-building pilot that has empowered 40 promising Namibian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across diverse economic sectors, in both the formal and informal phases of business. The programme culminated in a vibrant closing event at Standard Bank’s headquarters, spotlighting the transformative journey from entrepreneurial potential to investment-ready business.
Launched in August 2025 amid a remarkable response of 695 applicants, the Blue Growth Series was carefully crafted to nurture MSMEs with structured training, targeted mentorship, and internationally recognised certification from esteemed global institutions, including Harvard ManageMentor and Bloomberg Finance Lab. Of the initial 297 qualified MSMEs, 45% of participants were women entrepreneurs, underscoring the initiative’s commitment to inclusivity and gender parity.
Throughout the programme, participants underwent over 40 hours of intensive learning, covering business formalisation with key regulatory bodies such as the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA), Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), and the Social Security Commission (SSC), in addition to establishing new business banking relationships to support their growth. The programme enhanced business competence in sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, food and beverage, hair and beauty, crafts, retail, and construction, contributing directly to Namibia’s Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan 6’s goals for economic development, job creation, and enhanced financial inclusion.
One of the participants, and the winner of the pitching event held during the certification event, Jane Auala, founder and owner of Ontoko Poultry: “We’ve been fortunate to be part of the Standard Bank Blue Growth Series, where we learned how to better manage our business, and our financial governance. I would definitely encourage any startup business interested in growth to apply to be a part of this programme”.
Elzita Beukes, Senior Manager: Public Relations & Communications at Standard Bank Namibia, remarked, “The Blue Growth Series is not merely a training programme, it is a catalyst for sustainable growth and a testament to our purpose: Namibia is Home, and We Drive Her Growth. We celebrate the resilience and innovation of these entrepreneurs, and we remain committed to supporting MSMEs as vital engines of our economy.”
The initiative was delivered in close partnership with the Namibia Investment and Finance Academy (NIFA), a premier institution dedicated to advancing financial literacy, investment readiness, and long-term sustainability of Namibian SMEs. This collaboration reflects Standard Bank Namibia’s strategic vision to bolster the MSME sector, recognising it as foundational to inclusive economic transformation.
Building on the success of this pilot, Standard Bank Namibia is already exploring expansion phases to broaden the Blue Growth Series’ reach, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone in Namibia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.