Sostenus Wilherm
Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture Dino Ballotti has called for entrepreneurship to take centre stage in Namibia’s economic agenda, saying the country cannot achieve meaningful economic diversification by relying solely on traditional industries.
Ballotti made the remarks on Friday during the Namibia Creative Economy Policy Mixer hosted by CcHub in Windhoek, where government officials, creatives, UNESCO representatives and industry stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of Namibia’s creative economy.
The event marked the conclusion of the Namibia Creative Skills Exchange and Industry Development Programme and focused on strengthening partnerships between government and creatives to unlock opportunities, grow creative enterprises and advance youth entrepreneurship.
“So really, the entrepreneurship agenda must become, if not the most serious agenda that we speak of in the country,” Ballotti said.
He said Namibia must identify new opportunities and create meaningful pathways for young people to participate in the economy, arguing that the country’s traditional economic sectors alone cannot deliver the diversification needed for future growth.
“Economic diversification cannot be achieved by relying on the sectors that have traditionally driven our economy. We must identify new opportunities and build pathways for young people to participate meaningfully in the economy,” he said.
Ballotti said the government was committed to working closely with the creative industry to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and creative businesses to grow.
His call comes as Namibia continues searching for new ways to diversify its economy and create opportunities for young people, with the creative sector increasingly being recognised as a potential contributor to entrepreneurship, innovation and employment.
However, Oshikoto regional governor Sacky Kathindi warned that the development of Namibia’s creative economy should not remain concentrated in Windhoek and other major urban centres.
Kathindi called for the intentional decentralisation of creative opportunities, saying artists and entrepreneurs across all regions must have access to platforms, resources and opportunities.
“Our challenge is therefore not a lack of talent,” Kathindi said.
He said Namibia’s creativity could be seen across various industries, including music, fashion, film, visual arts, crafts and cultural heritage.
According to Kathindi, the challenge is to ensure that talented Namibians are given opportunities to transform their skills and creativity into sustainable businesses, regardless of where they live.
The engagement also featured a panel discussion on Financing the Future of Namibia’s Creative Sector, where participants discussed the need to improve access to support for creative businesses and local talent.
Discussions focused on growing creative enterprises, strengthening marketing, supporting local talent and ensuring that creatives recognise the value of their work.
Using the African proverb, “A single bracelet does not jingle,” the gathering emphasised that government, creatives, development partners and other stakeholders must work together to unlock the full potential of Namibia’s creative economy.
