14 Namibian Businesses Receive N$1.1 Million at Inaugural SME Fund Chelete Cage Pitch Event
Fourteen Namibian businesses, representing all 14 regions of the country, have been awarded grants totalling N$1.1 million under the inaugural SME Fund Chelete Cage Pitch Event held in Windhoek this week.
The grants, ranging from N$65,000 to N$100,000, are intended to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their operations, improve productivity and strengthen their competitiveness.
The event marked the final stage of the SME Fund’s first funding cycle, following a nationwide application process that attracted nearly 900 applications between 10 June and 24 July 2026.
According to the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), agriculture and agro-processing businesses accounted for approximately 22% of applications, followed by information and communications technology (ICT) and manufacturing, which each contributed 11%. Tourism accounted for 10%, while culture and creative industries represented 5%.
The shortlisted businesses presented their proposals to a panel of judges drawn from the Environmental Investment Fund, Bank of Namibia, Agribank Namibia, Development Bank of Namibia and the National Youth Development Fund.
Agriculture businesses among beneficiaries
Agriculture and agro-processing businesses featured prominently among the successful applicants, with several recipients planning to invest in farming, fresh produce storage, food processing and poultry production.
Among them is Okarui City Fresh Produce Trading CC, operating in the Omaheke Region, which received N$100,000. Its owner, Kahete Keeja, said the funding would help address storage limitations that have prevented her business from reaching its full potential since it started four years ago.
Keeja plans to invest in storage capacity to improve the company’s ability to supply fresh produce.
Another beneficiary, Kauna Mighty Empowerment Investment CC, which operates in the Hardap Region, received N$100,000 for its strawberry farming business.
Founder Elina Nakanyala said the funding would support plans to establish greenhouses that would allow the company to produce strawberries throughout the year under controlled growing conditions.
Other recipients include Zee Media Group CC in the Zambezi Region, which specialises in smart farming and mapping technology, and Felistas & Sons Investments CC in the Oshikoto Region, which focuses on poultry and egg production.
Funding combined with business support
The SME Fund is part of the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises Development in Namibia (ProSME) Project, a partnership involving the National Planning Commission (NPC), NIPDB and the German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The initiative is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Beyond financial assistance, the programme is designed to support businesses that are not yet ready to access traditional financing.
Successful applicants will also receive enterprise development services, mentorship, digital skills training, market linkages, regulatory and compliance assistance, investment readiness support, export promotion and trade facilitation.
Speaking at the event, NIPDB Acting Chief Executive Officer Julia Muetudhana said the programme’s success would ultimately be measured by the growth of participating businesses, including increased turnover, job creation and access to new markets.
German Ambassador to Namibia Thomas Wimmer also highlighted the role of small businesses in creating employment, supporting families and introducing new ideas into the economy. He reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development in Namibia.
Meanwhile, NPC Executive Director I-Ben Nashandi, whose remarks were delivered on his behalf, said the funding model recognises that businesses need more than money to succeed. He noted that combining grants with mentorship and business development services would help entrepreneurs contribute to Namibia’s development goals under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
Full list of grant recipients
The 14 successful businesses and their respective grants are:
- Zee Media Group CC – Zambezi Region: N$100,000
- Kauna Mighty Empowerment Investment CC – Hardap Region: N$100,000
- Rendez-Vous Investment CC – Omusati Region: N$100,000
- Okarui City Fresh Produce Trading CC – Omaheke Region: N$100,000
- Tavinda Investment CC – Erongo Region: N$75,000
- Elephant Rest Tented Camp – Kunene Region: N$75,000
- Oelewe Investments CC – Otjozondjupa Region: N$75,000
- Riverdale Private Academy – Kavango East Region: N$75,000
- Kalinasho Trading Enterprises CC – Oshana Region: N$75,000
- Santo-Lite Investment CC – //Kharas Region: N$65,000
- Cooccur Trading CC – Kavango West Region: N$65,000
- Felistas & Sons Investments CC – Oshikoto Region: N$65,000
- Mwayola’s Vision Investment CC – Ohangwena Region: N$65,000
- Ultra Events CC – Khomas Region: N$65,000
NIPDB said preparations for the next funding calls are underway. Interested entrepreneurs and members of the public can visit smefund.na or follow the board’s social media platforms for further announcements.
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