The Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) has embarked on an innovative strategy to enhance fish distribution across the country. 

The trust has signed contracts with 13 small and medium enterprises to facilitate the distribution of fish to consumers at affordable prices.

The 13 SMEs, selected from a pool of trained entrepreneurs, are part of a 6-month Distribution Agency Pilot Project. 

This project marks a shift in the trust's approach, aiming to collaborate with stakeholders in the fish distribution sector rather than competing with them.

NASRIA has embarked on a new venture that expands its Credit Guarantee Scheme, an innovative insurance product that aims to empower SMEs.

The government, through a smart partnership with the Bank of Namibia, the Development Bank of Namibia, the Namibia Special Risks Insurance Association, and participating financial institutions, has structured a Credit Guarantee Scheme facility that will provide 60% collateral cover for a viable SME business loan.

The credit guarantee scheme is an innovative insurance product aimed at capacitating both existing and new SMEs.

The Discover Namibia Intra Africa Expo and Business Summit is expected to boost micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs and the township economy.

The event scheduled to take place at Mondesa, Swakopmund, presents an opportunity for the SME sector to access local, African, and international markets.

Innovators, policymakers, experts, financiers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders are expected to attend the Discover Namibia, Intra Africa summit.

The First National Bank, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises through the Bank of Namibia, has undertaken to address the longstanding financial issue for small and medium enterprises in the |Khomas Region.

This was revealed by the Governor of the |Khomas Region Laura Mcleod-Katjirua, at the re-launch of the SMEs Value Proposition and Credit Guarantee Scheme.

18 small and medium enterprises in the Katutura East Constituency have received equipment from the Khomas Region's Income Generating Activity Programme to improve their businesses and create jobs.

The business recipients include those in carpentry, needlework, takeaways, nail technicians, catering, baking, welding, and early childhood development.

The Councillor of Katutura East Constituency, Richard !Gaoseb, says the Income Generating Activities project is directed at supporting small, upcoming entrepreneurs.

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has so far paid out N$ 85,9 million to SMEs through its SME Economic Recovery Loan Scheme. 
The Scheme is designed to support SMEs in an effort to promote economic recovery. 

The Central Bank says the SME Economic Recovery Loan Scheme is a much-needed boost that has created employment opportunities for Namibians who would have otherwise been jobless in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical storms. 

The Navachab Gold Mine will provide N$1,5 million to SMEs in Karibib, Otjimbingwe and Usakos, as a way to boost sustainable development under its Golden Egg initiative. 

Launched at Karibib, the initiative will accept applications until 5 May thereafter, 30 SMEs will be shortlisted, to pitch their business ideas. 

The holiday season is usually a time to cash in for the business-minded, and although people leave the city, it brings a lot of benefits to hairdressers, barbers, and nail technicians, just to mention a few.

But for some, like Jukla Kaatondoka, a Windhoek-based tailor, the busy holiday season means a slowdown in business. 

The Development Bank of Namibia in collaboration with the Namibia Trade Forum entered into an agreement aimed at financing Small and Medium Enterprises in the manufacturing industry. 

DBN and NTF are looking forward to enhancing the development and growth of SMEs by facilitating investment and market access. 

SMEs play a vital role in the country's economic growth through the employment opportunities they offer.

However, challenges such as lack of business training and access to finance are challenges that negatively affect their growth. 

If you are business-minded, go for it. Do not sit idle, hoping that the government will provide a job.

Instead, use whatever you have at home and scale up as time goes by.

These are words of wisdom from Omwene-Tupopala Haitula, a 31-year-old unemployed university graduate who now runs a thriving poultry project.

Haitula runs a backyard poultry project at Lihaha village, just outside Mpungu-vlei in the Kavango West Region.