Skills-based finance for young professionals

Limited youth skills finance pilot programme. The duration of the pilot programme will be at the discretion of DBN, however, recipients of finance will be financed for the duration of - and subject to - the agreement between the recipient and DBN. 

• Read the frequently asked questions on young professionals finance here...
• If you do not qualify in terms of professional qualifications and / or age, you may apply for SME finance. Find more information, here...
• Read the caution on ready made business plans here...

Application downloads

	Young professionals info sheet	Download
	Application form for finance	Download

The duration of the pilot programme will be at the discretion of DBN, however recipients of finance will be financed for the duration of - and subject to - the agreement between the recipient and DBN.

Fields that qualify for finance may include:

• Medical / psychiatric medicine
• Dental
• Optometry
• Pharmaceutical
• Legal
• Accounting / Actuarial
• Veterinary
• Engineering
• Architecture
• Quantity surveying

Other forms of enterprises not related to professional skills may be financed under the DBN facility for SMEs. 

To qualify for skills-based finance for youth profesionals, applicants must:

• Be aged 35 or younger*  
• Be a Namibian citizen (non-Namibians and permanent residents will not be considered)
• Have a relevant professional qualification / certification (NQF7 and higher)
• Have registration with a relevant professional body / council
• Upon approval, be prepared to attend subsidised business training and mentorship as directed by DBN
• Develop a business plan and a cash flow projection
• Have registered a business (CC or sole proprietorship)
• Be prepared to obtain personal and business insurance, financed as part of the loan
• Be employed full time in the business

Finance and use of finance

The lowest loan amount will be N$50,000 and the highest will be N$1 million. Finance will be approved on the basis of a business plan and cash flow projection.

Funds can be used for:

• Equipment
• Operating capital
• Vehicles for specialised business use

Collateral

Subject to acceptance of DBN terms and conditions collateral and equity requirements may be relaxed. Each application will be treated on individual merit and at the sole discretion of DBN.

Business training and / or mentorship

To ensure sustainability, recipients may be required to undergo business training and / or mentorship determined by the Bank.

Application process

1. Please complete the application form. 
2. All supporting documents must be provided. Please refer to the  application for a checklist, and ask DBN for guidance on additional documents.
3. All pages of copies of documents must be certified. Certification by a DBN Commissioner of Oaths is preferred where possible.
4. On acceptance of a complete application, an acknowledgment letter will be issued with a reference number.
5. Applicants may be requested to submit additional information, and a return period will be specified. If information is not provided in the return period the application will be closed.
6. An applicant may be requested to make a formal presentation as part of the appraisal process.
7. DBN will review the application, and will inform the applicant of the decision. Approval, decline, or referral of an application is entirely at the discretion of DBN.

* Applicants up to the age of 40 may in some instances receive exemption and qualify for this finance at the sole discretion of DBN.