Rural Women Parliament Highlights MSME Support and Inclusive Growth

Rural Women Parliament Highlights MSME Support and Inclusive Growth. Windhoek hosted the Rural Women Parliament with Men as Partners Session on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, bringing focus to economic empowerment and inclusion. The event featured a keynote address from the Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Hon. Gaudentia Kröhne, who outlined the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Speaking under the theme “Economic Empowerment and Inclusion,” Hon. Kröhne emphasized that sustainable industrialisation and growth must place ordinary Namibians at the centre of development. She highlighted three flagship programmes currently driving this agenda:

The Equipment Aid Scheme Programme aims to provide technical support and tools to emerging entrepreneurs, helping them overcome barriers that hinder productivity and competitiveness. The Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EMPRETEC) focuses on building entrepreneurial skills and fostering innovation across small businesses. Additionally, the Gemstone and Polishing Training Programme seeks to build capacity in value addition, ensuring that Namibians benefit more directly from the country’s mineral resources.

The session also reinforced the importance of collaboration, with men encouraged to participate actively in advancing women’s economic inclusion. By integrating both perspectives, the Ministry hopes to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems that are both diverse and resilient.

Delegates noted that such initiatives contribute directly to Namibia’s Vision 2030, which places inclusive economic growth at the heart of national planning. With rural women and MSMEs often facing structural challenges such as limited access to finance and markets, these programmes are positioned as vital tools to level the playing field.

The session concluded with a call for collective action to ensure that entrepreneurship continues to drive development in both rural and urban settings, building a sustainable and inclusive economic future for all Namibians.