Namibia has taken a significant leap in financial education and market intelligence with the official launch of the Bloomberg Finance Lab at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). A collaborative initiative between NUST, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), and the Namibia Investment and Finance Academy (NIFA), the Bloomberg Finance Lab is a first for Africa and is set to revolutionise financial literacy, research, and investment training in the country.
RMB supported the lab by providing necessary equipment and assistance towards the successful launch event, underscoring their commitment to advancing financial education and expertise in Namibia. The launch event, held on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, at NUST’s High-Tech Transfer Plaza Select (HTTPS), brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, financial institutions, and industry leaders to discuss the transformative impact of the Lab on Namibia’s financial ecosystem. Delivering the keynote address, Dr Emma Kantema-Gaomas, Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, emphasised the Lab’s role in shaping the future of Namibia’s financial professionals.
“Today marks a pivotal moment in strengthening collaboration between industry and government to equip Namibia’s youth with the skills needed to thrive in a dynamic economy,” Dr Katema-Gaomas said.
“By aligning education with industry needs and leveraging internship and apprenticeship incentives, we are creating pathways for young graduates to gain real-world experience, develop critical financial and business acumen, and contribute meaningfully to national growth. This Lab will serve as a cornerstone for empowering youth, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the next generation of investment leaders—enhancing their ability to access funding, manage risk, and build sustainable enterprises that drive economic transformation”.
The Bloomberg Finance Lab provides real-time access to global financial markets, offering students and professionals hands-on experience with data analytics, investment decision-making, and risk management. The centrepiece of the lab is the Bloomberg Terminal, a leading platform used globally by finance professionals. By integrating this cutting-edge technology into the academic environment, the Lab ensures that Namibian graduates enter the workforce with industry-ready competencies.
NUST Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Erold Naomab, expressed pride in this milestone, noting that the Bloomberg Finance Lab aligns with the University’s vision of producing highly skilled graduates equipped for the demands of the modern economy. “At NUST, we are committed to preparing our students with practical financial skills that directly align with industry needs,” said Prof. Naomab. “The Bloomberg Finance Lab will bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application, ensuring our graduates are competitive on a global scale.”
The initiative is the result of a strategic public-private partnership, showcasing the power of collaboration between academia, financial institutions, and the private sector. MTC, a key partner in this venture, has played a critical role in supporting the integration of digital solutions in financial training.
MTC’s Chief Financial Officer, Thinus Smit, remarked, “This collaboration speaks to the importance of digital transformation in shaping Namibia’s financial sector. The Lab serves as an academic tool and an industry enabler that will drive financial inclusion, fintech innovation, and investment literacy across multiple sectors.” The launch event also featured an engaging panel discussion, moderated by Bloomberg’s Shocky Mapheto, with industry leaders including Marsorry Ickua (Officer in Charge, Bank of Namibia) Josephat Mwatotele (Chief Executive Officer, Namibia Savings and Investment Association), Nikol Anuschka Hearn (Head of Financial Transactions, Green Hydrogen Programme), Erich Gariseb (General Manager of Insurance and Medical Aid Funds, Namibia Financial Institution Supervisory Authority), Thinus Smit (Financial Director, MTC).
Discussions centred on how the Bloomberg Finance Lab can support Namibia’s capital markets, skills and capacity building, green energy investments, and financial innovation. NIFA Founder and CEO Arinze Okafor, stated, “The Bloomberg Finance Lab is a transformative tool for equipping Namibian professionals with globally recognised financial and analytical skills across key sectors, from agriculture and energy to finance and manufacturing.
Access to real-time market intelligence and advanced analytics is essential for informed decision-making and economic growth. By localising these global competencies through structured training and industry collaboration, we are strengthening workforce readiness and positioning Namibia as a competitive global player”. As Namibia advances toward Vision 2030 and the expansion of its capital markets, the Bloomberg Finance Lab will serve as a catalyst for financial literacy, research, and industry collaboration providing a critical resource for students and professionals seeking continuous upskilling and market intelligence.
The launch of this state-of-the-art facility marks a defining moment for Namibia’s financial education landscape–an initiative that will equip current and future generations with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive global economy.