Namibia’s flagship women’s entrepreneurship initiative, EntreprenHER, has reached a defining milestone with its formal integration into the country’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
This strategic move, announced on June 20, 2025, during a certification ceremony for 48 women micro-entrepreneurs in Lüderitz, firmly anchors the programme within the national development agenda and guarantees long-term institutional support for women-led enterprises.
The certified entrepreneurs, all hailing from Namibia’s Southern Zone, completed the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training in November 2024 and received intensive mentorship and coaching sessions in May 2025. The graduation event was graced by Hon. Linda Mbwale, Deputy Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, representing Minister Dr. Emma Kantema, and was broadcast nationally on NBC News.
Other dignitaries present included His Worship Hon. Phillippus Albertus Balhao, Mayor of Lüderitz; Hon. Suzan Ndjaleka, Councillor for ǃNamiǂNûs Constituency; Nora Ndopu of De Beers Group; and Agnes Phiri, UN Women Programme Manager for EntreprenHER.
A Turning Point for Women Entrepreneurs
In her keynote address, Deputy Minister Mbwale underscored the transformational power of women’s economic empowerment. “The integration of EntreprenHER into NDP6 is a policy breakthrough. It institutionalises support for women micro-entrepreneurs as part of Namibia’s blueprint for inclusive growth,” she said.
With women comprising 51.8% of Namibia’s population and operating nearly 60% of all micro and small enterprises, the programme targets a vital yet underrepresented segment of the economy. Alarmingly, only 13% of registered business owners in Namibia are women, a statistic the Deputy Minister said must change.
“Formalisation is the key to unlocking public procurement, financing, and growth. EntreprenHER is a proven vehicle to reach women entrepreneurs who have been historically excluded from mainstream development systems,” Mbwale emphasized.
Real Stories, Real Impact
The event also shone a spotlight on personal stories that reflect the programme’s grassroots impact.
Anna Bostander, a Lüderitz-based entrepreneur, now successfully runs two ventures: Bostander Shuttle and Tours and Anna’s Cookies. She credited EntreprenHER with helping her formalise her businesses and improve operations.
“The training gave me the confidence to market my services, manage cash flow, and set realistic expansion goals,” Anna said. “Now, I’m planning to grow my transport fleet and turn my bakery into a household brand.”
Similarly, Civiletta Rooi, a seamstress from Oranjemund-Rosh Pinah and founder of Dorcas Fashions, described how digital marketing training changed the trajectory of her business.
“I lost a custom order—but instead of a setback, it turned into a breakthrough,” she shared. “I posted the dress online and sold it instantly. More orders followed. I’ve since expanded my customer base through social media.”
Partnership-Driven Success
EntreprenHER is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, UN Women, and De Beers Group, with the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation playing a critical funding and strategic role.
Nora Ndopu, Executive Manager of the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation, said De Beers’ support is rooted in a commitment to inclusive economic development.
“When we invest in women, we’re investing in communities, in sustainability, and in long-term prosperity,” she said. “Women entrepreneurs challenge social norms and redefine what’s possible.”
Agnes Phiri of UN Women emphasized the broader development impact:
“Women’s economic empowerment isn’t just a gender issue,it’s a development imperative. When women thrive, families are supported, jobs are created, and communities grow stronger.”
From Pilot to Policy: A Growing Legacy
Launched in 2017 as AWOME (Accelerating Women-Owned Micro Enterprises), the programme was rebranded as EntreprenHER in its third phase. Since inception, it has supported over 1,100 women entrepreneurs across Namibia and now aims to train an additional 500 women by 2026.
The programme is anchored in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 8, focusing on poverty eradication and decent work for all. It provides holistic support to women entrepreneurs,training, mentorship, access to markets, and tools to transition from informal to formal business models.
With ongoing expansion across sectors such as food processing, fashion, agribusiness, tourism, and even construction, EntreprenHER stands as a dynamic force in Namibia’s economic landscape.
As the programme scales under the umbrella of NDP6, the government has committed to increasing outreach and formalisation among women micro-entrepreneurs. New efforts will target rural areas, younger women, and those operating in high-growth sectors.
In closing her address, Deputy Minister Mbwale said,
“EntreprenHER is more than a programme,it’s a movement. And with its integration into NDP6, we are declaring, as a nation, that the economic empowerment of women is not optional,it is essential.”
With strong political will, private-sector partnerships, and grassroots momentum, EntreprenHER is redefining what inclusive growth looks like and placing Namibian women at the centre of national development.
