Namibian entrepreneurs have once again been granted an opportunity to scale up their businesses through the Innovation Bridge Portal-IBP500 program.

Although Namibia is on the right track in terms of investing in small businesses, there is still a huge gap in the sub-ecosystem concerning policy, funding and start-up training.

Start-Up Namibia has partnered with the World Bank to enroll 100 entrepreneurs from Namibia in the programme.

The programme aims to provide modified solutions to help entrepreneurs in their early stages of business development through a digital incubation process called "Thinkubate".

This also covers various components, including the life stages of their entrepreneurial journey until they are successful. 

With the challenge of youth unemployment, innovation and entrepreneurship will be the drivers of new jobs in the business sectors, says the Lead Private Sector Development Specialist at the World Bank, Ganesh Rasagam.

Aina Hauwanga and Sondaha Nuuyuni, who own businesses, graduated from the programme and shared their experiences.

The program is available to 100 entrepreneurs from each of the five southern African countries, which are Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa.