President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for stronger links between education, skills development and employment, saying Namibia’s young people need practical opportunities to participate in emerging sectors of the economy.

Speaking in New York during the UNICEF Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council high-level meeting, the president highlighted green growth, agriculture, natural resources, value addition and energy as areas with potential to create jobs, entrepreneurship and innovation opportunities for young Namibians.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said government must not only support youth empowerment but also help create markets for young people’s products and services. She also pointed to stronger regional value chains through SADC as a way for young people to access larger markets and collaborate across borders.

The remarks come as Namibia promotes investment, industrialisation and new economic sectors, including green energy and natural-resource development.