As Namibia’s unemployment rate soared to a staggering 36.9% in 2023, young Namibians are turning to entrepreneurship as a way to improve their livelihoods. With limited formal employment opportunities, many youths are becoming creative, starting small businesses and carving out new paths to financial independence.

The Namibia Statistics Agency reported in January 2025 that the unemployment rate has reached a concerning high, with nearly 321 000 people actively seeking jobs in 2023. Despite this challenging economic climate, a growing number of young people are finding innovative ways to make ends meet by launching their own businesses. From food products to tech services, these youth entrepreneurs are showing spirit and creativity, proving that necessity is indeed the mother of invention. One young entrepreneur, Eugene Rukoro, founder of Kiellie Chilli, says what started as a small experiment selling chilli sauce to friends and family in 2021, has blossomed into a thriving business. Encouraged by the positive feedback, he decided to take his passion to the next level. 

He now offers two different chilli sauces, a chilli paste and chilli powder, all branded with unique labels and packaging.

“I started selling my chilli sauce to friends, family, colleagues and the response was amazing. It really encouraged me to take it seriously. I focused on branding, designing labels and refining the packaging. My hard work has paid off now; Kiellie Chilli is a growing business, and recently, I acquired barcodes for my products,” he said. 

However, running a small business in Namibia is not without its challenges. One major hurdle Rukoro is facing is scaling production while maintaining high quality standards. Large supermarkets and restaurants, often loyal to well established global brands like Tabasco, are difficult to crack. Additionally, meeting regulatory requirements such as obtaining fitness certificates and barcodes, can be a slow and complicated process.

Despite these obstacles, he has managed to build a loyal customer base through word of mouth, direct sales and social media. His marketing efforts have been focused on creating a strong brand presence, which has helped him cross the competitive food industry. 

Although he has not received direct financial or logistical support from local organisations or the government, he remains hopeful that government or private sector support could help his business expand by easing access to larger distribution channels and helping small businesses meet necessary regulatory standards.

“I am always looking for opportunities that could help take my business to the next level,” he said. The rise of social media and digital marketing platforms has made it easier than ever to start a business with low startup costs. Today, all it takes is a smartphone, creativity and a strong sense of determination to begin building a brand. Esnath Neliwa owns an online business, (May’s Parlour). She orders clothing, shoes, bedding and kitchenette from South Africa. She has been in the business for the past four years.

“I started my business with my savings and money from my customers’ 50% deposit. After the business started growing, I decided to stop demanding 50% and let customers pay upon arrival due to various reasons: Some items can get finished immediately due to the demand in SA and it will require me to refund customers when their items get finished. Some customers do replacements of the items which are finished,” she said. 

She experiences stock loss, opened parcels and loss of items sometimes. “Explaining to your customers, not everyone will understand and you will be called out as a scammer, to avoid that, I had to refund the customers who paid deposits.” 

“Currently, my business is doing well, though I am not yet where I wanna be. I am seeing progress, and I still have more plans to grow my small business into something big,” she said. 

Small business owners who import goods from China to resell locally face prolonged delays and uncertainty as their shipments remain stuck at customs, some for over seven months. For them, staying steadfast in ensuring their future is the price they are willing to pay.

-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na