The African Development Bank and the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) have begun the roll out of DBN For Her, a landmark financing facility for enterprises that are 100% women-owned.
The program launch, which took place in Windhoek, marks the culmination of a two-year strategic partnership structured around a ZAR 1.5 billion (approximately $88 million) line of credit to DBN, with ZAR 400 million ($23.3 million) ring-fenced exclusively for women-owned small, medium, and large enterprises. The African Development Bank is providing N$400 million (about $23.5 million) in funding to the facility, anchored in its Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) programme, a continent-wide initiative to close the persistent financing gaps women-led enterprises face across Africa.
DBN For Her is open to 100% women-owned Namibian businesses that employ between 5 and 300 people across all economic sectors, covering both SMEs and larger enterprises. Eligible enterprises can tap loans ranging from N$150,000 to N$10 million (roughly $8100 up to $539,000) at the prime interest rate, with a 12-month grace period during which no interest accrues.
"DBN For Her represents a deliberate and strategic response to structural imbalances in our economy. It is not only about access to finance, but about ensuring that women become active drivers of economic growth, job creation, and national development," said Ericah Shafudah, Namibia's Minister of Finance.
The African Development Bank's partnership with the Development Bank of Namibia goes beyond providing capital. Also, through AFAWA, the Bank is providing ZAR 40 million in blended finance to lower borrowing costs for women-owned businesses. This is complemented by targeted technical assistance to strengthen DBN's internal capacity to deliver gender-responsive financial products and improve the bankability and investment-readiness of women entrepreneurs in Namibia. In just five years, AFAWA has unlocked over $3.1 billion in financing, working with more than 200 financial institutions across 46 countries, with the Development Bank of Namibia now standing as a leading implementation partner on the continent.
"Empowering women is not an act of charity; it is an act of justice, an investment in progress, and a foundation for a more prosperous and equitable society. When women are given access to opportunities, resources, and support, entire communities are uplifted, economies are strengthened, and nations are transformed," said Emma Kantema-Gaomas, the country's Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare.
"Real impact happens when finance meets intention. Today, we see that result. The launch of DBN For Her is more than a product; it is a platform and a signal to every woman entrepreneur in Namibia that: you are seen, you are valued, and you will be financed," said Alex Area, Bank Group Chief AFAWA Officer.
Despite Namibia's strong performance on the Gender Development Index, women-led SMEs still face an unmet financing need estimated at $195 million, with around 22,000 women-owned businesses underserved by the formal financial system. According to DBN, between 2006 and February 2026, 447 fully women-owned enterprises and 916 partially women-owned businesses received support but, together, accounted for just 14.12% of the Bank's total funding allocation -- a gap DBN For Her is designed to address.
"If we do not intentionally design business solutions for women, we will unintentionally exclude them. DBN For Her is our deliberate step toward inclusive economic participation, not a financial product, but a strategic intervention to correct an imbalance and unlock the full potential of women entrepreneurs," said Evangelina Nailenge, Board Chairperson, Development Bank of Namibia.
