Economic Progression | UN Team Results

Vulnerable groups empowered with knowledge and skills and participate in economic activities

Veronika Misisi - Sowing Seeds of Success

The UN supported the capacity training of 120 MSMEs from the Erongo and Oshana regions on trade readiness- export, preparation and market compliance, thus improving access to diverse African markets under AfCFTA. In addition, the UN facilitated the participation of ten MSMEs (50% female, 50% male), who were invited to showcase their products. This exposure has enabled them to unlock future financing opportunities and expand their market reach.

Three MSMEs (2 female-, and 1 male-led) received UN sponsorship to take part in the 2024 Biashara Afrika Business Forum in Kigali, Rwanda. This high-profile event, which convened over 1,500 participants, provided a strategic platform for these enterprises to engage in international trade, establish business linkages, and explore opportunities for expansion within African markets under AfCFTA.

In partnership with the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade (MIT), the UN supported the EMPRETEC Namibia program, providing entrepreneurship training to 139 individuals (71 female, 68 male), including 20 newly certified Business Development Services Advisors, which resulted in enhanced business skills towards MSME growth and sustainability.
In line with efforts to foster local economic growth, the SDG Impact Investment Fund was also established, through which MSMEs can access sustainable financing.

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Two nature-based enterprises in the Ohangwena and Kavango West regions were established to enhance community livelihood, generating USD 5,667 in initial income within the first year, with projections of a three fold increase as they become self-sustaining.

Through basic social, health, and economic as set-building programs, 1,425 marginalized adolescent girls in the Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions gained vital skills, including life and economic skills. This di rectly fostered business and employment creation and deepened their understanding of sexual and reproduc tive health and rights (SRHR). This empowerment will enhance their ability to access sexual reproductive health (SRH) services, and ultimately drive their own economic and personal development.

The capacity of 29 (10 female, 19 male) agricultural extension staff members was enhanced through exposure visits and tailor-made trainings on integrated community-centred approaches to resilient farming, Farmer Field School (FFS) methodologies and Conservation Agriculture (CA). Additionally, drought-tolerant seeds (covering 320 hectares), feeds, and assets were donated to vulnerable com munities including women, youth, and people with disabilities in the Kavango-West, Hardap, Ohangwena and Kharas regions. This has further improved their agricultural production and livelihoods.

Technical support was provided to GRN for the finalization of the Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector (STAS 2025 2031) including its implementation plan. This strategy is expected to improve private-public sector collaboration and participation in food systems, and to further transform the agricultural sector.

In 2024, GRN adopted and gazetted a new Statutory National Minimum Wage (NMW) in accordance with the Namibian Labour Act, No. 11 of 2007. This complemented statutory and negotiated minimum wages covering workers in four sectors: domestic services (statutory), agriculture, construction, and security. In support of its decision to adopt a NMW, the Ministry of Labour, Industri al Relations and Employment Creation (MLIREC) relied on the 2022/23 tripartite Wages Commission report following the UN-supported feasibility study for a NMW in 2021 and further economic analysis (2022/ 2023) to assess the merits and impacts of the Com mission’s proposed minimum wage on workers’ incomes and enterprise sustainability.

Government capacity strengthened in areas of programme design and implementation of programmes in agriculture, research, innovation, and industrialization

The UN’s support to the Government of Namibia strengthened the country’s capacity to implement AfCFTA, empowering 69 National Implementation Committee members (39 women, 30 men) and enhancing trade policy expertise among government, academia, and private sector stakeholders. With improved knowledge of AfCFTA’s structure, protocols, and operational mechanisms, these actors are now better equipped to drive effective implementation and maximize the agreement’s benefits.

An assessment of Agricultural Trade Policies for Inclusive Agriculture Transformation and enhancement of food security in Namibia was conducted, including a review of tariff and non-tariff barriers to agricultural trade. The proposed recommendations will enable Namibia’s fair participation in AfCFTA and other trade agreements.

In support of national trade facilitation efforts, the UN contributed to the development and rollout of Namibia’s National Standards Strategy, ensuring its alignment with the SDGs to address key socio-economic priori ties. This support enabled the National Standards Institution to accelerate the development of four critical standards, particularly in the agricultural sector. In partnership with the New School’s Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy (IRPPE), the UN support ed GRN by raising awareness and furthering GRNs capacity on the concept of the human rights economy, and how this can be fostered in Namibia through their various programs.

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Reliable data and evidence produced to inform targeting and programming

UN supported the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) in the development and launching of the Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Rural Statistics (SPARS) 2025 2029 in collaboration with other stakeholders (Minis try of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) and MFMR). In addition, support was provided to undertake an informal cross-border trade study. This report was disseminated to the public which further identified strategic interventions to empower women and marginalized groups, drive economic growth, and enhance regional integration under AfCFTA.

To effectively address the 2024 drought situation in Namibia, a Vulnerability Assessment and Analy sis (VAA) was conducted by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), with support from the UN. This vital tool identified specific demographics, geograph ic locations, and livelihood groups vulnerable to drought, providing the evidence base for a data-driven drought response plan. Consequently, resources were allocated efficiently to those most in need.

Through systems strengthening (data management) initiatives in Namibia, the UN supported the NSA with the establishment of a Labour Market Information System (LMIS) which supports the collection, and storage of labour market indicators. The LMIS ena bled stake holders to update data and information on the labour market including through thematic analysis of the 2023 Census Labour Module Results.

Growing Prosperity: Julia’s Story

Julia, a Marketing Management graduate, transformed her circumstances through the Uugongowamupanda Community Garden in Namibia’s Oshana Region. This inspiring story shows how UNDP, with support from the Government of Japan, equipped local farmers with solar-powered pumps, shade nets, and storage facilities—empowering Julia to grow vegetables, raise livestock, and expand her enterprise. Through these community-driven solutions, she is fostering food security, fueling economic growth, and setting her sights on supplying major retailers.