Bank of Namibia Targets Youth-led Fintech Businesses to Drive Jobs

Namibia is looking to turn youth innovation into businesses and jobs through the Bank of Namibia’s FinTech Youth Programme, which aims to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills needed to develop and scale financial technology solutions.

Speaking at FinTech Square conference 2026 in Windhoek on Wednesday, Bank of Namibia`s Principal Innovation Hub Officer, Tuna Brock said the programme seeks to build young people’s knowledge of financial technology, digital services, regulatory requirements and market access, while creating opportunities for them to bring their ideas to market.

FinTech Square is an annual flagship conference and exhibition hosted by theNamibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA). Launched in 2022, the platform bridges the gap between regulators, financial innovators, and investors to advance digital transformation and financial inclusion in Namibia’s non-banking financial sector.

Brock said the initiative comes amid the rapid growth of fintech across Africa and increasing interest among local innovators, highlighting the need for an ecosystem that supports young entrepreneurs in developing viable businesses.

“The objectives of our FinTech Youth Program is to build skills and knowledge,” she said.

Beyond banking and digital payments, Brock said fintech applications extend to sectors such as agriculture, mining, education and healthcare, offering opportunities for young Namibians to develop technology-based solutions to challenges across the economy.

The programme could help young entrepreneurs move beyond developing ideas to building businesses capable of serving customers, generating revenue and creating employment.

This is particularly relevant in Namibia, where high unemployment among young people makes the development of new businesses an important part of efforts to expand economic opportunities.

However, turning innovation into commercially sustainable businesses will require more than technical skills. Access to funding, mentorship, regulatory guidance and markets will be critical in helping young innovators test their products, attract customers and scale their operations.

Collaboration between regulators, financial institutions and entrepreneurs will also be important in ensuring that new solutions can operate within the regulatory framework while responding to real market needs.

The programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Namibia’s fintech ecosystem and encourage the development of scalable digital solutions to local socio-economic challenges.