Driving Namibia’s Youth Economy through Arts

(By: Sylvia Hashondali)

For decades, the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture’s directorate (MEIYSAC), has been working to strengthen Namibia’s creative industries, supporting training institutions, funding programmes, and advocating for stronger policy recognition.

In a recent interview with Campus Connect, Isabel Katjavivi the Deputy Director of Arts Promotion and Creative Industries at MEIYSAC, shared the importance of matching groundwork by high level government focus. The creative industry has been recognised as a thematic area in the 6th National Development Plan (NDP), and the adoption of the Namibia Arts, Culture and Heritage Policy (2025–2030).

“The sector is no longer on the margins. It is recognised as central to development, and we are ready to implement it,” says Katjavivi.

The National Arts Council (NAC), remains a core support mechanism, offering three funding cycles per year, mobility grants, and bursaries for creative studies. Beyond financial support, the Council also works closely with cultural practitioners to ensure that emerging artists have platforms to showcase their talent and access markets.

At the same time, the government is revising the National Arts Fund Act to expand its reach. The updated provisions will allow for direct support in areas such as equipment, facilities, and new creative projects, enabling more young people to create self-employment opportunities. The Ministry is also modernising outdated legislation in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Business Intellectual Property Authority(BIPA), revising copyright laws to better protect local creatives in the digital era. Measures such as a Copyright Levy and a future Creative Content Fund are expected to provide additional income streams for artists.

Training and education continues to form a strong foundation for the sector. The College of the Arts (COTA) offers diplomas in Fashion Design, New Media, and Performing Arts, while the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) recently launched a Department of Digital Arts and Animation, a direct response to the evolving demands of the creative economy. Outside Windhoek, 39 Arts Extension Officers and subsidies to regional arts centres in Tsumeb, Oshikuku, and Otjiwarongo are ensuring rural youth can access training in music, dance, visual arts, and drama.

“Recent success stories demonstrate the value of these investments. Seven youth-led creative businesses represented Namibia at the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (CANEX) in Algeria, showcasing Namibian talent on a continental stage,” said Katjavivi.

The Opuwo Youth Choir is preparing to represent the country at the Africa Asia Pacific Choir Games in Mauritius, while local films such as The White Line and Katutura continue to gain recognition beyond Namibia’s borders. Looking ahead, MEIYSAC is preparing to launch the National Creative Industries Strategy, which will serve as a comprehensive framework for growth. The strategy aims to consolidate progress, set clear investment priorities, and expand opportunities for young creatives, from training and funding to international exposure.

“Namibia’s youth are already shaping the cultural and economic landscape. Our responsibility is to give them the enabling environment to do even more,” she noted.