NATIONAL YOUTH DEV FUND - MOF
National Youth Development Fund
Empowering Namibian youth to become builders of businesses, creators of jobs, and drivers of innovation
What is the National Youth Development Fund?
The National Youth Development Fund is a development fund established to provide financial and technical support to youth through loans with interest between 2%-4%. The fund is aimed at fostering youth-owned businesses, startups, cooperatives, and innovative projects, especially in various sectors of the economy with priorities in Agriculture & Agro-processing, Green & Eco-friendly Projects, as well as Manufacturing & Value Addition.
Key Highlight
Collateral-Free Funding: The NYDF is designed to remove barriers to youth entrepreneurship. No collateral is required to access funding. This ensures that all eligible Namibian youth, regardless of background or financial status, have a fair opportunity to bring their entrepreneurial visions to life.
Main Objectives
- Promote youth entrepreneurship and innovation
- Reduce youth unemployment by creating sustainable economic opportunities
- Support youth in starting, growing, or scaling their businesses
- Enable access to affordable financing and business support services
- Encourage youth involvement in priority sectors (e.g., agriculture, green economy, manufacturing)
- Promote inclusive growth, especially for marginalized groups (young women, rural youth, youth with disabilities)
Who Can Apply?
Namibians aged 18 - 45 years with a formally registered business or cooperative and individuals in the agriculture sector.
Ventures of priority include:
- Agro-processing
- Climate resilient projects (e.g. fodder production)
- Diversified agri-enterprises (e.g. poultry, charcoal, fruit tree production)
- Horticulture
- Building green tech
- Manufacturing
- Innovating in creative spaces
Age Category Expansion: The Fund age category has been expanded and is now open to Namibian youth between the ages of 18 and 45, recognising that the entrepreneurial journey often begins in early adulthood and continues into mid-career phases.
What is the Fund Offering?
Additional Terms
- Repayment Period: Up to 5 years
- Grace Period: Up to 12 months
- Collateral: Collateral free
Priority Sectors
Other Funded Sectors
- Creative industries (fashion, entertainment, film, crafts)
- ICT & Tech innovation
- Sustainable tourism & hospitality
- Service industries (logistics, mechanics, etc.)
- Retail
- Beauty and hair salons
General Projects: Projects that fall outside the fund's priority or specialized sectors but are still eligible for funding due to their viability, innovation, and potential to create youth employment or socio-economic value.
How It Works
- Call for applications (open or rolling basis during the duration of the programme)
- Submission of business proposals
- Evaluation and vetting
- Disbursement of funds (loan or grant)
- Ongoing support and monitoring
Basic Requirements
- Namibian ID (certified copy)
- Business or Cooperative Registration Certificate (certified copy)
- Business Plan & Financial Projections
- Proof of Business Address (where applicable)
- Bank Account Confirmation Letter
Assessment Criteria
Your application will be assessed based on:
- Viability & sustainability of the Project/business
- Youth empowerment potential
- Job creation capacity
- Innovation and local relevance
- Environmental and social impact
Where to Apply
Application forms and project submissions can be submitted at your nearest:
- Regional Governor's office
- Development Bank of Namibia (DBN)
- Environment Investment Fund (EIF)
- Agribank offices
Based on the institution you are applying to.
Monthly Announcements
Public announcement will be made at the end of each month of the number of projects awarded based on attributes and regional distributions.
Official Launch
The National Youth Development Fund (NYDF) was officially launched by the Right Honourable Dr. Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, on 29 September 2025, in Gobabis, in the Omaheke Region.
This historic launch marks the beginning of a transformative era for youth-driven enterprise and innovation in Namibia, ensuring that young people across all 14 regions are equipped to become builders of businesses, creators of jobs, and drivers of innovation.
Contact Information
Administrative Matters
Tel: 061 - 209 2928/2642/2930
Policy Matters
Implementing Agencies
Documents & Resources
⚠️ Intolerance for Abuse
The NYDF is a transparent and accountable mechanism for genuine youth economic empowerment. Abuse, misuse, corruption, or sabotage will not be tolerated.