Empower to earn

Namibian youth gain skills and start-up support
The One Economy Foundation, in partnership with FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust, has launched intensive skills and entrepreneurship training in Groot Aub, Rehoboth, and Okahandja, equipping young Namibians with the tools, knowledge, and mentorship to start sustainable businesses.
Desmarius Hansen
  • 1 Day Ago

The Empower to Earn Phase 2 training consisted of two-day intensive workshops for 30 participants in each town. Led by experienced entrepreneurs, the sessions combined practical, hands-on technical skills training with entrepreneurship instruction, covering business setup and growth, as well as basic financial management, costing, and marketing.

Delivering the welcoming remarks at the CJC Agricultural College in Groot Aub, Saddam Biwa, Director of Operations at ONE, said: "Empower to Earn is about equipping young people with practical skills and giving them a platform to turn those skills into income. We approached skills development broadly, asking how best we could capacitate young people in these communities. This was achieved through the selection of evidence-based skills. In 2025, our team conducted site visits to over 450 young people to identify what skills were needed and could generate income."

The survey formed Phase 1 of the initiative, with the baseline findings identifying baking, hairdressing and barbering, and agriculture and crop production as priority skills.

Israel Mukumba, founder of the CJC Agricultural College, encouraged participants to fully engage with the training. "Be flexible and ready to learn. Your instructors are ready to share their knowledge so that when you return home, you are equipped to grow and teach others," he said.


Business principles

In his financial literacy session in Groot Aub, Cornelius Onkgoditse from FNB Namibia covered key principles that can be applied in business, emphasising disciplined budgeting, accumulating savings, and avoiding unnecessary debt.

During the Rehoboth session, the Rehoboth Urban East Constituency Councillor, Edward Wambo, told participants: "You have not come here to waste your time. Whatever skills and knowledge you acquire from this workshop, you must put them to good use."

The training intentionally integrates technical expertise with financial capability, ensuring participants are not only skilled practitioners but also understand pricing, budgeting, saving, record-keeping, and basic financial decision-making. This approach addresses the common challenge of technically skilled youth struggling to sustain or grow enterprises due to limited financial management capacity.

Pewanifo Shikudule, founder of YakaBee Hair Salon, trained participants on basic hygiene principles and guided practical sessions on braiding techniques. "Don’t give up and don’t be afraid to start, especially in hairdressing," she encouraged.

Randall de Wee, a barbering participant from Rehoboth, said the training exposed him to aspects of barbering he had not encountered before. All participants received starter kits tailored to their skills, helping them launch their businesses. "I have everything I need; there’s nothing standing in my way."

The Empower to Earn journey continues beyond skills development. Over the next four months, participants will undergo Phase 3, including ongoing business mentorship from the YO! team, local business mentors, and support from FNB Namibia, guiding them through the steps needed to start sustainable and legally compliant businesses. "Everyone in this programme will be able to register a business, have a bank account, and hopefully establish a steady income. This is how you start a business," Biwa said.