Nedbank Namibia has announced its sponsorship of N$560 000 towards the Agra Agricultural Academy, a significant step towards enhancing skills development and training in various agricultural disciplines.
The academy, managed by Agra ProVision, a subsidiary of Agra Limited, offers students the opportunity to pursue national certificates and diplomas in fields such as plant production, animal production, advanced farm management, agricultural extension, and agri-sales and services.
Affiliated with the International Agricultural Academy for Africa, the Agra Agricultural Academy provides accredited online training through the South African Qualification Authority, ensuring education and training of a high standard.
Nedbank Namibia has committed to sponsoring national certificate and national diploma students, providing financial assistance of N$560 000 for 2025. This funding will cover each student’s registration and tuition fees, making education more accessible to aspiring agricultural professionals.
Speaking at the handover was Nedbank Namibia Managing Director, Martha Murorua, who said:
‘I am not disclosing any trade secrets if I profess that the agricultural sector has been a key strategic pillar in our strategic plan, and it will remain so for the immediate future. We are keenly aware of our percentage share of loans and advances within the banking sector, and we also understand what it is that we need to do to keep broadening our economic impact. However: merely saying that agriculture is important to us at Nedbank Namibia is one thing: proving it to be so, is another. This announcement of investing into a better future for Namibia in agriculture serves as one indicator of our intent.’
Murorua added: ‘The aim of these bursaries is to encourage young people to pursue qualifications in agriculture. By investing in practical education, we hope to inspire the current and next generation to see agriculture as a vital and rewarding career path. Practical degrees equip students with hands-on experience and real-world skills, preparing them to tackle modern agricultural challenges and contribute to the sector’s growth. Our overall investments in education, underpinned by our N$800,000 Nedbank Bursary programme and our award-winning Education Trust, are crucial for building a skilled workforce that can drive economic growth, ensure food security, and create sustainable jobs in Namibia.’
Agra Limited Chief Executive Officer, Arnold Klein, reiterated Agra’s role in the agriculture industry by saying:
‘Since we formed the Agra ProVision to focus on capacity building and training in Namibia, Agra has got a shareholding of more than 3 800 shareholders. Of the 3 800, 75% are active farmers in Namibia. We are proud to say that we are proud taxpayers because we understand the importance of tax in Namibia for the government to do what is needed to support the economy of this beautiful country. Since 2017, we paid out N$61 million in dividends to our shareholders. This year, I can say that we are doing even better as we’ve projected our profit after tax to grow between 45% – 55%’.’
Klein’s sentiments were echoed by Agra ProVision Manager, Fiona Anderson who said: ‘Our vision is to bridge the gap between theory and practical, and this is why not only Nedbank but also the Namibian Agronomic Board is a strategic partner in putting theory into practice.’
Anderson added: ‘Let us continue investing in the next generation by equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead Namibia to a sustainable future.’
In addition to the sponsorship, Nedbank Namibia and Agra Limited have partnered with the Namibian Agronomic Board to give students practical, on-the-job training at agricultural institutes supported by the Board when they graduate. A memorandum of understanding is currently being finalised to ensure all partners are clear on their roles and responsibilities.
Dr Fidelis Mwazi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), reiterated the board’s involvement in making the initiative a success:
‘Through our graduate training programme, the NAB is committed to sponsoring students in specialised disciplines such as agronomy, plant health, and soil management, particularly at postgraduate level. These future professionals will be incubated within the NAB and placed with strategic farming operations to gain hands-on experience. Our vision is to see them evolve into independent consultants, mentors, and transformative agents within the sector. We also recognise the growing impact of climate change. The days of relying solely on rain-fed agriculture are behind us. The shift to irrigated agriculture is no longer optional it is essential. That is why we are working tirelessly to engage financial institutions to come up with crop value chain financial packages that may be accessed by our farmers and other role player in the crop value chain to adopt more resilient and productive systems.’
Beyond supporting the Agra Agricultural Academy, Nedbank Namibia is committed to the broader agricultural sector. The bank’s initiatives include the Nedbank for Good Series, a 10-event countrywide golf tournament that raised N$250 000 for Agra ProVision in 2024. These proceeds were used to provide training to underprivileged farmers in Namibia.
Honourable Inge Zaamwani, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, Honourable Dr. Elijah Ngurare at the event, commended the entities on the initiative:
‘Attaining food sufficiency is one of the key priorities of our government. To achieve this, we recognise that the support of all Namibians including corporate entities like Nedbank is of paramount importance.’
She added: ‘As a country, we consider the agricultural sector a priority and an enabler that will contributes to our socio-economic development. Indeed, the agricultural sector contributes to job creation, poverty eradication, and food self-reliant and to the GDP. Furthermore, the agricultural sector has been identified as one of the priority areas in Vision 2030 and the five-year National Development Plans.’
Honourable Zaamwani concluded by reiterating that: ‘I further call upon other financial institutions to emulate the good example set by Nedbank, by developing innovative products to support key economic sectors of their choice.’
Nedbank Namibia also offers a range of agribanking solutions, employing a decentralised operating model. These solutions cater to individuals, partnerships, companies, close corporations, and trusts, supporting full-time and part-time farmers.
Financial products include short-term finance, asset-based finance, medium-term loans, and long-term financing for property purchases, land acquisition, and establishing long-term crops.