Govt’s internship programme gathers steam 

By: Josia Shigwedha

The President said by June 2025, a total of 734 internship and trainee placements were facilitated across key public institutions as part of the government’s graduate employment and absorption programme.

She made remarks during the launch of the 6th National Development Plan (NDP6) and the report on her first three months in office.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says her administration aims to place at least 5,000 graduates annually into internships, with a targeted 80% post-internship retention rate into formal employment.

According to the president, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) facilitated the highest number of 511 internships including:

•22 at NBC

•65 at MICT

•92 at Telecom Namibia

•9 at New Era

•23 at NAMPA

•300 at MTC

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform facilitated 61 graduate placements at three Rural Development Centres:

•38 interns at Ongwediva

•17 at Okashana

•6 at Ben Hur

The Ministry of International Relations and Trade facilitated 162 placements, with 155 graduates absorbed by Namibian businesses and seven placed on MSC cruise ships.

Ndaitwah emphasised that graduate employment remains a core focus of NDP6, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen human capital and reduce youth unemployment.