African Development Bank approves landmark $1.78 billion strategy to support transformation of Namibia’s economy and create jobs
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The African Development Bank Group's (www.AfDB.org) Board of Directors has approved a Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Namibia committing $1.78 billion to support economic transformation and inclusive growth in the 2025-2030 period.
The financing is expected to pave the way job for creation and economic diversification while also addressing key challenges facing of the world's most unequal countries: youth unemployment exceeds 40 percent, and per capita income has fallen from $5,942 in 2012 to $4,240 in 2024.
"This strategy marks a pivotal moment for Namibia's development," said Moono Mupotola, the Bank Group's Deputy Director General for Southern Africa and Country Manager for Namibia. "By focusing on strategic infrastructure and human capital development, we are laying the foundation for inclusive growth that will benefit all Namibians, particularly the young."
The strategy focuses on two priorities. The first is investment in transport, energy, and water infrastructure to reduce business costs, enhance productivity, and establish Namibia as a regional logistics hub. These investments will strengthen trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area, enhance energy security through renewables, and expand rural access to clean water and sanitation.
The second priority aims to boost human capital through market-relevant technical and vocational training that creates pathways from education to employment, providing support for the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and advancing women's economic empowerment.
Implementation is expected to diversify the economy beyond mining and agriculture, integrate MSMEs into regional value chains, and enhance manufacturing capabilities while creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Infrastructure improvements will increase electricity access from 59.5 percent towards universal coverage, enhance trade connectivity with Angola and Zambia, and reduce logistics costs. The strategy also supports Namibia's climate commitments and positions the country as a leader in green hydrogen.
"Recent U.S. tariff impositions and official development assistance cuts have created additional pressures on Namibia's economy," said Mupotola. "Our strategy strengthens resilience by diversifying export markets, enhancing regional integration, and building domestic productive capacities."
The strategy builds on the Bank's decade-long track record in Namibia, where it has invested $658.1 million in projects including the expansion of Walvis Bay Port, railway upgrades, and 27 educational institutions across all 14 regions.
The Namibia CSP aligns with the Bank Group's Four Cardinal Points, Namibia's Vision 2030, and Africa's Agenda 2063. Implementation begins immediately, with the first operations expected in early 2026.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).Media Contact:
Emeka Anuforo
Communication and External Relations Department
email: media@afdb.org
International Volunteer Day: Munich Nurse Brings Medical Support Back to Her Home Country Madagascar
Since early November, Fahendrena Vanessa Rose de Lima Body, a trained nurse from Munich University Hospital, has been volunteering with Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.org) on board the hospital ship Africa Mercy® in Madagascar. This will have been the organization's fifth field service in the country, and the 28-year-old will return to Germany in mid-December once it concludes. For Vanessa, who was born in Madagascar, this marks the fulfilment of a long-held dream: to bring urgently needed medical support to her home country.
Vanessa Body first learned German as a foreign language during her school years in Madagascar. Inspired by her cousin, who worked as a translator on the Africa Mercy in 2014, she knew early on that she wanted to pursue a medical career and hopefully volunteer with Mercy Ships one day. After staying in Gmund am Tegernsee as an au pair in 2017, strengthening her German through a voluntary social year, she then began her nursing training at the municipal hospital in Bad Tölz. She gained professional experience mainly in anesthesia and emergency care before moving to her current position at Munich University Hospital.
Vanessa speaks vividly about the critical healthcare situation in Madagascar.
“Anyone who needs medical care in Madagascar has to pay. Treatment, medication – everything is expensive, and most people simply cannot afford it,” she explained. “If you have no money, you must accept your illness. There is no universal health insurance.” While there are several hospitals in the capital Antananarivo, where her parents live, the situation for people in rural areas is far more challenging: long distances, underdeveloped road infrastructure, and unaffordable costs. “Sometimes people die simply because there is no help available in the countryside,” she says. “That is why the work of Mercy Ships is so important for this country. Thanks to donations, patients can receive surgery free of charge, and, through training programs, local healthcare workers gain skills that will continue to benefit communities long after the ship has left.”
Vanessa is grateful to finally be able to support her fellow Malagasy citizens in person:
“As part of the anesthesia team on board, I can help overcome language barriers. For patients, everything about the ship is unfamiliar. I help them build trust with the medical team, create a sense of safety, and ease their fears. It is a wonderful service that I am honored to provide.”
Vanessa will return to her job in Munich in mid-December. A few days later, Mercy Ships' ten-month mission in Madagascar will come to an end.
“Without our volunteers, Mercy Ships simply could not carry out its work,” emphasizes Lydia Rieger, Managing Director of Mercy Ships Germany in Landsberg am Lech. “This year alone, around 100 volunteers came from Germany and Austria. On International Volunteer Day, we want to highlight just how indispensable their contribution is – whether in medical roles, technical support, or numerous other functions on board.”
More information at www.MercyShips.de
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.For more information about Mercy Ships, contact:
international.media@mercyships.org
About Mercy Ships Deutschland e. V.:
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to strengthen medical care in some of the world's least developed countries. Its comprehensive and long-term support programme includes donation-funded surgeries at the highest standard, training and capacity-building for local professionals, as well as agricultural and infrastructure projects.
Since its founding in 1978, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 countries, delivering services valued at over €1.85 billion. Around 3 million people have directly and indirectly benefited from the organisation's work. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteers from around 60 nations serve on board – specialists in surgery, dentistry, nursing, health education, teaching, cooking, navigation, engineering, and agriculture, all offering their time and expertise to help those in need.
With 16 national offices and an additional location in Africa, Mercy Ships brings lasting change to individuals and strengthens healthcare systems across entire countries. Mercy Ships is a non-profit organisation funded by donations. To support this work, please use the following bank details:
Further information at www.MercyShips.de
Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) announces Jerry Yang as the newest Judge for the 7th Africa’s Business Heroes Summit and Grand Finale in Kigali
The Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) (https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org) initiative is pleased to announce that Jerry Yang, Co-Founder of Yahoo!, Founding Partner of AME Cloud Ventures, and Board Director of Alibaba Group, will join the judging panel at the 7th ABH Summit & Grand Finale on December 12–13, 2025, in Kigali, Rwanda.
As a leading figure in global technology and entrepreneurship, Jerry Yang offers extensive experience and insights in developing and expanding transformative companies. His involvement highlights ABH's dedication to connecting African entrepreneurs with international expertise and mentorship.
“Africa's entrepreneurs are shaping the future of innovation in ways that inspire the world,” said Jerry Yang. “I am honoured to join the judging panel for this year's Africa's Business Heroes prize competition and look forward to learning from founders who are building bold, scalable solutions for the continent and beyond.”
In addition to Jerry Yang, the judging panel will include leading African business figures, Diane Karusisi, CEO, Bank of Kigali, and Ibukun Awosika, Founder, The Chair Centre Group.
A Distinguished Lineup of Speakers and Industry Leaders
The 2025 Summit will bring together a powerful roster of speakers and thought leaders shaping entrepreneurship, investment and creative industries across Africa and beyond. Confirmed participants include:
- Lijun Sun, Chair of the Board, Alibaba Foundation and President, Alibaba Philanthropy
- Juliana Muganza, Deputy CEO, Rwanda Development Board
- Clare Akamanzi, CEO, NBA Africa
- Tara Fela Durotoye, Founder, House of Tara
- Wandia Gichuru, CEO, Vivo Fashion Group
- Naa Ashorkor, Journalist and Theatre Producer
Theme and Programme: Defining Africa's Future Today
Under the theme “Defining Africa's Future Today,” the two-day event will feature interactive sessions, masterclasses, live pitches from the 2025 Top 10 finalists, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem builders. The programme will explore key themes including leadership, innovation, investment, sustainability and the cross-sector collaboration driving Africa's business landscape.
Why Attend: A Pan African Platform for Collaboration and Growth
The 7th ABH Summit and Grand Finale offers a unique opportunity to engage with visionary entrepreneurs, global investors and business leaders who are shaping the future of global and African innovation.
Attendees will gain insights into emerging trends across key sectors while connecting with mentors, partners and ecosystem builders from across the continent. As Kigali hosts the Summit for the third year, this edition reinforces Rwanda's growing role as a continental hub for entrepreneurship and new business opportunities.
The Summit and Grand Finale are made possible through Alibaba Philanthropies in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board. The event is supported by key sponsors— Gebeya, Bank of Kigali, Jasiri, and Inkomoko, whose partnership helps amplify the reach and impact of African entrepreneurship. ABH also recognizes the invaluable contribution of its Outreach Partners, including MTN Rwanda, Hanga Pitchfest, BPN Rwanda, Impact Hub Kigali, African Leadership University, Carnegie Mellon University - Africa, Kepler College, and Norrsken Africa, who play a critical role in connecting ABH to vibrant entrepreneurial communities across the continent. The event is also supported by Kabisa – a leading EV Ecosystem in Africa - and Kozo Kigali, who are generously providing transportation and hospitality services. Together, these partners reflect the collective effort driving ABH's mission to inspire, support, and celebrate Africa's business heroes.
“Being part of ABH as a Top 10 Hero was a defining moment in my journey. Sponsoring this year's Finale is my way of giving back to a platform that continues to open doors for African innovators. With the launch of Gebeya Dala at the 7th ABH Summit, we remain committed to accelerating Africa's digital talent ecosystem, and partnering with ABH reinforces that mission.” said, Amadou Daffe, Co-Founder & CEO, Gebeya; Catalyst Sponsor & Former ABH Top 10 Hero.
Registration
Entrepreneurs, investors, ecosystem builders, and other stakeholders interested in attending the 2025 ABH Summit and Grand Finale can register via the ABH website at https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).For media inquiries, please e-mail:
pr@africabusinessheroes.org
About Africa's Business Heroes (ABH):
Africa's Business Heroes is the flagship philanthropic programme of Alibaba Philanthropy committed to identifying, supporting and celebrating the next generation of African entrepreneurs. Each year, ABH awards 1.5 million US dollars in grant funding to outstanding business leaders who are making a positive impact in their communities.