Support youth enterprise, but build It wisely
The recent debate surrounding Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare’s engagement with Namibia’s growing community of “Order With Me” entrepreneurs has exposed a broader and more important conversation about the future direction of our economy. The criticism levelled at the meeting is understandable. Namibia cannot import its way to prosperity. A country that seeks sustainable growth must […]
The recent debate surrounding Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare’s engagement with Namibia’s growing community of “Order With Me” entrepreneurs has exposed a broader and more important conversation about the future direction of our economy.
The criticism levelled at the meeting is understandable.
Namibia cannot import its way to prosperity. A country that seeks sustainable growth must ultimately manufacture, process and add value to its own resources. It must encourage domestic industries, create productive jobs and reduce dependency on foreign goods.
Yet dismissing the thousands of young Namibians who have built livelihoods through small-scale import businesses would be equally short-sighted.
The emergence of the “Order With Me” phenomenon is not evidence of an economic failure by young people. Rather, it reflects their determination to survive and innovate in an environment where formal employment opportunities remain scarce.
Many of these entrepreneurs started with little more than a smartphone, social media and personal networks. They have built businesses without grants, large loans or inherited wealth. They have identified demand in the market and responded to it. That is entrepreneurship in its purest form.
