Today, the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) officially launched its women-focused financing initiative, “DBN For Her,” in Windhoek.
DBN For Her is DBN’s dedicated women entrepreneurs financing facility, specifically designed to empower 100% women-owned enterprises through accessible, responsive, and development-focused finance. As a structured finance solution, the facility recognises the distinct growth journeys of women entrepreneurs and provides tailored capital support to help them start, grow, and scale sustainable businesses.
The initiative is supported through a strong partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), which is providing N$400 million in funding toward the facility. This significant investment reinforces AfDB’s role in advancing women’s economic empowerment across the continent and strengthens the capacity of the DBN to deliver targeted, impactful financing solutions for women-owned enterprises.
The Minister of Finance, Ericah Shafudah, in her speech, underscored the urgency of addressing structural barriers that continue to limit women’s access to finance and economic participation.
“DBN For Her represents a deliberate and strategic response to structural imbalances in our economy. It is not only about access to finance, but about ensuring that women become active drivers of economic growth, job creation, and national development,” she said.
The facility is available to Namibian businesses that are fully women-owned and employ between 5 and 300 people, covering both small and medium enterprises as well as larger enterprises across all sectors of the economy. Loan amounts range from N$150,000 to N$10 million, offered at prime interest rates, with a 12-month grace period during which no interest is charged. Collateral options include credit guarantees, credit life, and project assets, making the facility more accessible to women entrepreneurs who may face traditional barriers to securing finance.
The Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Emma Kantema, commended DBN for introducing a timely and impactful intervention aligned with continental, regional, and national development priorities.
“Empowering women is not an act of charity; it is an act of justice, an investment in progress, and a foundation for a more prosperous and equitable society. When women are given access to opportunities, resources, and support, entire communities are uplifted, economies are strengthened, and nations are transformed,” she said.
Evangelina Nailenge, Board Chairperson of the DBN Board of Directors, noted during the event that the launch represents more than the introduction of a financial product, but a deliberate step toward inclusive economic participation. She emphasised that without targeted solutions tailored for women, there is a risk of unintentionally excluding them from the economy, positioning DBN For Her as a strategic intervention aimed at correcting this imbalance and unlocking the full potential of women entrepreneurs.
The DBN For Her initiative aligns with Namibia’s national, regional, and continental development frameworks, including the African Union Women’s Decade, the SADC Women’s Economic Empowerment Framework, and Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6). It aims not only to improve access to finance but also to empower women to transition from job seekers to job creators, contributing meaningfully to employment creation and economic resilience.
The landmark event brought together key stakeholders from across Namibia’s business ecosystem, including government representatives, representatives from the African Development Bank, members of the business community, young entrepreneurs, women-owned enterprises, development partners, and the media. Applications can be accessed via the DBN website or submitted through the Bank’s branches nationwide.
As Namibia continues to pursue inclusive growth, DBN For Her signals a decisive shift toward more targeted, responsive, and development-focused financing solutions that position women at the centre of the country’s economic transformation.