Windhoek:The National Youth Development Fund has expanded to N$317 million, with 373 projects owned by young entrepreneurs receiving approval across all 14 regions, as announced by Minister of Finance Ericah Shafudah.

According to NAMPA, Shafudah presented the 2026/27 Mid-Year Budget Review in the National Assembly, highlighting that N$110.2 million has been disbursed to promote youth entrepreneurship and employment. The projects are supported through the Development Bank of Namibia, Agribank, and the Environmental Investment Fund, and are expected to generate approximately 7,110 jobs.

The fund's composition includes N$258 million from the 2025/26 financial year, N$50 million designated for 2026/27, along with contributions of N$5 million each from Namport and NamibRe, and N$2.5 million from the Namibia Agronomic Board.

Furthermore, Shafudah emphasized governmental initiatives to bolster agricultural production and food security in anticipation of the El Niño phenomenon, including a N$40 million allocation to the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency for purchasing surplus grain for strategic reserves.

Additionally, Agribank provided N$366.9 million to 544 clients from April to August 2026, with funds directed towards women, youth, and communal farmers, resulting in the creation or maintenance of approximately 1,550 jobs.

In education, government subsidies assisted about 87,000 students with registration and tuition fees in 2026, while recruiting 3,634 educational staff and constructing classrooms across seven regions. The health sector saw advancements with a N$1 billion mobilization for a new hospital and the commissioning of an MRI scanner alongside recruiting health personnel and interns.

Moreover, the government offered nearly N$740 million in fuel price relief from April to July 2026 to alleviate economic pressures on households and businesses.