The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) recently donated N$50,000 towards construction of a school hall for Romanus Kamunoko Secondary School in Rundu. The school currently has to rent larger premises when its learners are required to sit for exams.

Talking at the handover, DBN CEO Martin Inkumbi said that he and many of his colleagues attended schools with limited facilities. However with determination to learn, they were able to rise to the challenge of learning, and improve their prospects in life.

Addressing the learners, Inkumbi said that the outcome of diligent study would lead to a higher quality of life in adulthood. He told the learners that although they should set aside some time for relaxation, they should place a high degree of emphasis on their studies.

He added that learning was a partnership between the parent, the teacher and the learner, and that all three should be actively engaged in the education of the learner. He said that parents and carers should take an active interest in the progress of learners, and endeavour to assist if learners fell behind.

Inkumbi concluded by saying that he hoped that some of the learners would join the Bank as valued, knowledgeable employees.

In addition to finance provided for private tertiary, secondary and primary educational facilities, the Bank provides support for public sector schools through its social responsibility programmes, including assistance with upgrading of hostel facilities for one school, and support to a school damaged in flooding in the north. 

The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has announced that it is visiting the Kunene Region from 22 August to 24 August to raise awareness of its financing opportunities.

The visit will be led by DBN CEO Martin Inkumbi.

Talking about the visit, Inkumbi said that networking events will be conducted to inform potential borrowers on the Bank's products and requirements for finance.

Inkumbi said that the Bank has taken note of the Kunene Region's drive for development, and that the Bank is undertaking the visit with the aim of providing financing support to enterprises and local and regional authorities.

He went on to say that the region is in an excellent position to further develop itself. He cited a need for development of roads, as well as power infrastructure to reach the region's community. In terms of enterprise, he added that the Bank believes that there is room for growth particularly in tourism, but that the Bank is also promoting itself to new enterprises which project an annual turnover of more than N$10 million, and existing enterprises seeking to expand.

He also said that the Bank is providing finance for serviced land, and that this will be prioritised for local authorities in Kunene as well.

Since its inception, the Bank has allocated more than N$76 million in finance to the region. Of this, approximately 68 per cent was allocated to construction and approximately 20 per cent to the hotels and restaurants sector. The Bank has also provided finance to small-scale manufacturing, small-scale mining and quarrying, real estate and business services, and wholesale, retail trade and repairs.

Inkumbi added that the Bank is aware that use its finance is subject to regional demand, however visits to regions are seen as key to stimulating demand. He concluded by saying that he hopes there will be notable growth in demand from the Kunene Region as a result of the visit, and urged entrepreneurs and local authorities to find out more about the Bank's products.

Networking events will be held in Khorixas on 22 August at 11h30 in the Town Council Chambers, in Outjo on 23 August from 10h30 at Etotongwe Lodge and in Opuwo on 24 August from 14h30 in the Ministry of Gender Hall.

For more information, contact Edla Kaveterua at the Development Bank of Namibia on 061 290 8000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Development Bank of Namibia Innovation Award and Good Business Award Entries are open.

The search for the the most innovative business and the best business for 2016 has begun.

CALL FOR PUBLIC ENTRIES

The most innovative business idea will receive up to N$250,000 assistance from DBN. 

Entries in the fields of manufacturing, transport and logistics, and tourism are encouraged.

Develop a proposal based on one or more of these considerations:

DBN seeks innovative business ideas that:

• Demonstrate a high degree of originality;
• Give the competitive edge to business or industrial processes;
• Complement but do not replace existing enterprises;
• Use cutting edge technology;
• Add value to Namibian resources;
• Can improve provision of serviced land and housing, generation of power or provision of water
• Address issues such as renewable energy or the environment;
• Can form the basis of a franchise;
• Can be implemented easily and rapidly.

Proposals will be assessed by independent and DBN experts.

DBN respects the ownership of intellectual property.

E-mail proposals to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before 19 August 2016.