Windhoek: The Governor of the Khomas Region, Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, announced that the Khomas Regional Council has funded 144 small and medium enterprise (SME) projects during the 2024-2025 financial year. Nujoma shared this information during his inaugural State of the Region Address (SORA) in Windhoek on Friday, marking his first address since taking over the role from Laura McLeod-Katjirua.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the event was attended by regional and local authority councillors, Chief of the |Khomanin Traditional Authority, Juliana Gawanas, and Chief Executive Officer of the City of Windhoek, Moses Matyayi, among others. The funding was facilitated through the Income Generating Activities Programme, which provides SMEs with necessary equipment and materials. The supported projects span various sectors, including catering, fashion and design, laundry services, arts, crafts and graphics, and welding.
Governor Nujoma highlighted that the continuation of this funding initiative is aimed at addressing the high unemployment rate in the Khomas Region, which currently stands at 44.4 per cent. He stated, "To address unemployment, the regional council has continued with its Income Generating Activities Programme, under which SMEs are assisted with equipment and materials. A total of N.dollars 2.5 million was spent to finance 144 SME projects."
Further elaborating on the council's efforts, Nujoma mentioned support for rural development programmes that focus on employment creation, food security, and the promotion of entrepreneurship in rural areas. These initiatives include three projects under the Micro Finance Scheme, ten under the Food Security Programme, and assistance to eight rural farmers who collectively received 120 goats. The governor indicated that a total of N.dollars 312 million was allocated for these initiatives.
He also addressed the ongoing structural and socio-economic challenges in the Khomas Region, including the shortage of urban and rural land for development. Nujoma urged for stakeholder engagement and community collaborations to enhance service delivery and tackle these issues effectively.