The Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, the Right Honourable Dr Elijah Ngurare, has commended Agribank for the progress achieved in implementing the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF) and announced that the Bank will receive an additional N$20 million on top of allocated 40million to expand financing and provide training for youth-led agricultural enterprises.

The announcement was made during the Prime Minister’s visit to Agribank. Agribank is one of the development finance institutions mandated to implement the NYDF. The visit formed part of engagements with the Fund’s implementing institutions to gain first-hand insight into their operating environments, implementation progress, challenges and opportunities.

The Prime Minister emphasised that agriculture remains a key priority of the Eighth Administration. He noted that the NYDF is intended to address historic barriers that have limited young people’s access to credit, and that past Government-supported agricultural programmes, such as the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme and Resettlement programmes.

Following a presentation by Agribank’s Executive Management, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the Bank’s performance. Of the N$40 million allocated to Agribank under the NYDF, approximately N$23 million has been approved benefiting 66 young people through youth led agribusiness. The approved funding is concentrated in key agricultural sectors including poultry, horticulture, piggery, agro-processing and aquaculture with projects spread across all 14 regions of the country. In addition, approximately 1400 loan applications are currently under review, demonstrating the continued demand for funding under the NYDF and the Bank`s commitment to supporting youth participation in the agricultural sector.

Highly impressed and pleased with Agribank’s strong performance on NYDF, the Prime Minister further congratulated Agribank on its capacity-building contribution, including training and advisory support that has reached more than 70,000 farmers and placed over 300 farmers under mentorship since the programme’s inception in 2017.

The Right Honorable Prime Minister called on Agribank to provide practical support to support the youth who may struggle to prepare viable business proposals and to strengthen training. He underscored that NYDF beneficiaries should be assessed in accordance with the Fund’s approved framework and no additional requirements, such as collateral or educational qualifications should be introduced.

“Every successful enterprise starts with an idea. Our collective responsibility is to help young Namibians develop those ideas into viable and sustainable businesses,” the Prime Minister said. He also emphasised the need for synergies among Government and other stakeholders to unlock greater impact for young entrepreneurs.

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Issued by: Agribank of Namibia
Media enquiries: Marketing and Customer Strategy Department
Telephone: +264 61 207 4111
Email: info@agribank.com.na

Agribank is pleased to announce that its newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Robert Eiman, officially assumed duty on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, commencing his five-year term at the helm of Namibia's premier agricultural lender.

Mr Eiman takes over the leadership of Agribank at a pivotal time as the institution embarks on an ambitious organisational transformation aimed at strengthening its impact and long-term sustainability. The transformation seeks to position the bank to effectively respond to evolving economic conditions, the growing effects of climate change, low agricultural productivity, and fragmented agricultural value chains, while continuing to deliver innovative and inclusive agricultural finance solutions.

He comes at a significant moment in Agribank's journey, following the recent appointment of a new Board of Directors. The Board is chaired by Ms Silvia Makgone, with Prof Colin Stanley serving as Deputy Chairperson. Other members are Ms Victoria Mbundje, Mr Kingsley Kwenani, Ms Foibe Fabiano, Dr Omu Kakujaha-Matundu, and Mr Adrianus Vugs. The Board will serve a three-year term, providing strategic oversight as the Bank advances its mandate.

Speaking during a staff address, Ms Makgone, Agribank’s Board Chairperson, reaffirmed the Board’s full support for Mr Eiman. She further emphasised the importance of fiduciary responsibility, turnaround leadership and a purpose-driven approach that is firmly connected to the Bank’s vision, noting that such leadership is critical in positioning Agribank to achieve its strategic aspirations and secure its rightful place as a catalyst for agricultural development.
Mr Eiman is a seasoned executive with extensive experience spanning microfinance, commercial, corporate banking and development finance. He joins Agribank from Nampost Financial Brokers (POSTFIN), where he served as CEO. Prior to that, he held senior leadership positions at the Development Bank of Namibia and First National Bank of Namibia, reflecting a strong strategic profile.

Mr Eiman expressed his excitement about joining the Bank and his enthusiasm for learning and working alongside a team united by a common purpose. He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Agribank's mandate and supporting farmers, agri-preneurs and agribusinesses in achieving greater success.

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Issued by:
Public Relations Office
For inquiries, kindly contact the Marketing and Communications Division. Tel.: 061 2074111 Email: info@agribank.com.na

The Board of Directors for the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Robert Eiman as the Bank’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 July 2026.

Mr Eiman succeeds Dr Raphael Karuaihe, who retiredon 31 March 2026, following his dedicated service and contribution to the Bank. In the interim, the Board has appointed the Chief Financial Officer, Mr Abel Akayombokwa, as Acting CEO until 30 June 2026.

Mr Eiman is a seasoned Executive with extensive experience across Micro Finance, Commercial, Corporate Banking and Development Finance. Furthermore, Mr Eiman has experience in preparing, evaluating and structuring larger deals in various industries as well as strategy development and implementation. Mr Eiman holds a Master of Business Administration from the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics in the Netherlands.

He joins Agribank from Nampost Financial Brokers (POSTFIN), where he served as CEO,and has previously held senior positions at the Development Bank of Namibia and First National Bank of Namibia, wherehe has demonstrated his skills in transformational leadership, strategic orientation, credit risk management, market analysis, banking operations, and client service management, among others.

The Board welcomes Mr Eiman and look forward to leveraging his leadership skills, strategic insights, and financial industry knowledge to lead the Bank into its next phase of growth, sustainability, and impact. Mr Eiman’s appointment comes at a pivotal time when the Bank is embarking on an organisational transformation to respond to challenges of complex economic dynamics, climate change, low agriculture productivity and fragmented agriculture value chains.

Therefore, the Board is confident that he will lead the Bank through its transformation phase and beyond, while navigating the balance between its developmental mandate and long-term financial sustainability. Additionally, the Board would like to extend its sincere appreciation to Dr Karuaihe, the outgoing CEO, for his leadership, dedicated service and valuable contribution to the Bank’s progress during his tenure.

When informed about his appointment, Mr Eiman demonstrated optimism on the role ahead indicating that, “I am honoured to serve in this role and look forward to building on the foundation laid by my predecessors, while steering the Bank towards long-term sustainable growth and contributing to the transformation of the agricultural sector”.
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Issued by:
Mr Josephat Mwatotele
Board Chairperson
For enquiries, kindly contact the Marketing and Communications Division. Tel.: 061 2074111 Email: info@agribank.com.na