Usakos is strengthening its efforts to promote entrepreneurship and job creation with the inauguration of a N$12,65 million Small and Medium Enterprises Park.
The facility is expected to provide local businesses with opportunities to grow, create employment and contribute to the town's economic development.
The project was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, through a partnership involving the Usakos Town Council, Government and QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine.
Amutse said the SME Park is aimed at providing entrepreneurs with the infrastructure and support needed to establish and expand their businesses, while contributing to industrialisation and economic growth.
He stressed that local enterprises must be better positioned to tap into opportunities arising from economic activities in the Erongo Region, particularly in mining, transport, construction and tourism.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of financial institutions and large companies in supporting emerging businesses through access to funding, supplier development initiatives and opportunities to secure contracts.
“For many entrepreneurs, premises are one part of the challenge. They also need working capital to purchase materials while awaiting payment, and guidance on managing costs. I encourage financial institutions and business support agencies to work with viable enterprises here, understand their orders and offer support suited to their stage of growth.”
Navachab Gold Mine Managing Director, George Botshiwe, explained that the investment demonstrates the mine's commitment to ensuring that its economic contribution extends beyond mining operations and benefits surrounding communities.
He said the SME Park is part of the mine's broader corporate social investment programme, which prioritises infrastructure development, education and training, entrepreneurship, employment creation, healthcare and community wellbeing.
“Opportunities that empower people to build their own futures. Opportunities that encourage self-reliance and entrepreneurship. And opportunities that create prosperity long after the mining operations themselves have come to an end. Because ultimately, the greatest legacy of any mine should not only be the gold it has produced, but the lives it has transformed and the communities it has helped build. We are confident that it will become a vibrant centre of enterprise, innovation and job creation.”
Erongo Regional Council Chairperson, Lazarus Kanelombe, said the success of the facility will ultimately depend on its ability to support sustainable businesses, generate employment and improve livelihoods.
“The importance of public privet partnership in advancing development at the grassroots level as we inauguration let us remember that the true success of the SME park will not be measured by the infrastructure that you see today but by the number of business that will grow the employment opportunity that they created help people empowered.”
Kanelombe added that the inauguration represents an important investment in Usakos' economic future, with the new facility expected to turn local entrepreneurial potential into viable businesses, sustainable jobs and long-term economic growth.