Windhoek, Namibia – The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors. The appointments, effective 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2028, were made by the Minister of Finance, Honourable EricahShafudah, in line with the Public Enterprise Governance Act No. 1 of 2019 (PEGA) and Cabinet Decision No. 9th/17.06.25/013.
The newly appointed Board members are Desiree Masheshe, a trained lawyer, Bonifasia Siteketa, a qualified Aircraft Engineer and Gerson Kamatuka, a Human Resource expert. They join the current Board members appointed in January 2025: Evangelina Nailenge (Chairperson), Willy Mertens (Deputy Chairperson), Patience Kanalelo, and Marsorry Ickua, whose term runs until 31 December 2027, ensuring continuity and stability in the Bank’s governance structure.
The appointments underscore the Minister’s confidence in the Board’s leadership and its dedication to advancing DBN’s vision of driving sustainable economic development.
Commenting on the appointments, DBN Board Chairperson Evangelina Nailenge welcomed Ms. Masheshe, Siteketa, and Kamatuka to the Board. Their expertise will strengthen our ability to provide strategic guidance and oversight as DBN continues to drive infrastructure development, enterprise growth, and sustainable economic transformation for Namibia,” she said. The Board plays a pivotal role in guiding the implementation of DBN’s Integrated Strategic Business Plan (2024–2029), which outlines a transformative path to position the Bank as a trusted and responsive partner in Namibia’s development. The strategy prioritises impact-driven financing in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing and green investments, which are vital for productivity, job creation and inclusive growth. Recognising the critical role of development finance in unlocking long-term national value, the plan also emphasises customer experience and service excellence to enhance client outcomes. Anchored in financial sustainability, people and culture, market positioning and development effectiveness, the strategy provides a clear roadmap for delivering lasting impact and strengthening stakeholder trust.