About 100 learners from ten high schools across Namibia have been equipped with practical skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics – STEAM – through the ExxonMobil STEM Africa Innovation Camp 2026.
The camp, held in Windhoek over the weekend, aimed to inspire innovation, strengthen problem-solving abilities, and encourage more young Namibians to pursue careers in STEM.
Participants emerged as finalists from three zonal STEM quizzes held in Windhoek during June and July this year.
During the camp, participants were presented with three real-world challenges to solve.
These challenges include access to potable water, sustainable energy solutions, plastic waste management, and environmental pollution.
Working in teams, learners developed innovative and practical solutions to these challenges and presented their proposals to a panel of expert judges.
Co-Founder of Mindsinaction STEAM Centre, Ndaudika Mulundileni, says, "In 2024, we actually had a team that represented Namibia in Cape Town as well. Then they competed with countries like Nigeria, Mozambique and Angola. And they actually won the silver medal. But in 2025, we had the same process from the zone of quizzes and then the innovation team. Then the team that went to represent us, called Team Sprout, went and won a gold medal for Namibia. So we are very proud of these learners. And it only tells you that Namibian learners have the potential. What they need is a proper exposure."
The Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at Junior Achievement Africa Ruth Tawiah says she hopes the learners will develop a lasting interest in STEM following the camp and apply the knowledge and skills they have gained to solve challenges in their communities.
"The main thing I would like them to take from the camp is their interest in STEM. I think it's very important that once they have their interest established, at least they have something on which they can decide, Okay, which field in STEM do I want to branch into?"
The learners in attendance, John Paulus and Kristofina Nekongo, praised the organisers for the initiative and hoped for more career guidance in STEM subjects.
"It would be a good help in terms of career guidance and also in terms of, let's say, the pathway through which an individual can choose their career. So it would be a really good example. A good opportunity, yes, for those individuals within the science field, as it helps broaden our knowledge within that criteria of science."
"Okay, for me, what I'm taking away from this camp is that I'm truly just learning all the different things that come into making something what it is and also just the different steps and the people that also come to contributing to those areas."
The winning team will earn the opportunity to represent Namibia at the regional finals during African Energy Week, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2026.