The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has officially launched its revitalised Young Professionals Programme (YPP) today at DBN Head Offices, marking a significant milestone in the Bank’s talent development strategy and its commitment to shaping the next generation of development finance professionals. The launch celebrated the onboarding of eight highly talented and motivated graduates into the programme, the largest intake in the Bank’s history under this initiative.
This cohort represents a new generation of future specialists poised to advance the Bank’s mandate of promoting sustainable development and contributing to Namibia’s socioeconomic transformation. The successful candidates are Nadia Engelbrecht, Zacarias Fernandes, Abraham Mabuta, Fortune Lizazi, Matilde Johannes, Esther Samundu, Agnes Mushe, and Merry Nghihepavali, who were selected through a rigorous national recruitment process that included public calls for applications, interviews, and formal assessments in line with the Bank’s recruitment protocols, ensuring that only the most promising candidates were selected for this transformative opportunity.
The YPP is a career acceleration initiative designed to transition academic excellence into industry expertise within the development finance environment. It provides a structured, two-year programme aimed at developing strong, industry-specific professionals capable of supporting DBN’s strategic priorities. The YPP programme further contributes to Namibia’s long-term development by building a skilled and knowledgeable workforce equipped to tackle complex economic challenges. By cultivating young leaders in the field of development finance, the programme helps to close the skills gap, promote innovation, and drive national progress.
Speaking during the launch, DBN Acting CEO John Mbango emphasised the strategic importance of the Young Professionals Programme in shaping future leaders of development finance. “Today’s launch is more than just welcoming eight young professionals; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to excellence, continuity, and long-term impact. The Programme is integral to our vision of nurturing homegrown talent that will drive innovation and contribute meaningfully to Namibia’s development agenda,” he said.
Through rotational placements across key departments, the Young Professionals will gain in-depth exposure to the Bank’s operations, strategy, and policy frameworks. The programme also includes:
- Individual Development Plans (IDPs) tailored to support personal and professional growth;
- Mentorship from industry leaders to build confidence and guide career progression.
- Strategic dialogues with DBN senior management;
- Experiential learning visits and benchmarking opportunities within the SADC region and beyond.
The DBN Young Professionals Programme reflects the Bank’s strategic intent to create a pipeline of professionals who will one day assume leadership and technical expert roles, ensuring continuity and institutional excellence. This transformative initiative is a crucial investment in Namibia’s future, aligning with DBN’s broader commitment to national development and economic empowerment