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2026 Namibia Global Money Week

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Financial Literacy Initiative (FLI), Bank of Namibia, Municipality of Swakopmund, DSIK - German Sparkassenstiftung Southern Africa, First National Bank Namibia - Swakopmund, Ministry of Education Innovation Youth Sports Arts & Culture, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health & Social Services (MoHSS), MSR (formerly Men on the Side of the Road), Namibia Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NCCI), Namibia Investment & Finance Academy (NIFA), Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), One Economy Foundation (OEF), Peace Corps Namibia, Simpli Business Advisory; Capacity Unleashed, I-Care Health Training Institute, Museum Scientific Society Swakopmund, Informal Economy Development Forum, Kuisebmond Secondary School in Walvis Bay, Learning Right Elementary School, Mondesa Community Library -- Germina Shitaleni Multipurpose Centre, National Youth Service (NYS) Brass Band, NBC (Digital News, Radio, TV), Nepety Trading Enterprise cc, in collaboration with Informal Economy Development Forum, Old Mutual (Old Mutual Foundation), OPEN DOORS Education Centres (ODEC), Social Security Commission (SSC), Swakopmund Junior Town Council, Swakopmund Neighbourhood Watch, The International University of Management (IUM) Swakopmund Research Training and Conference Centre

TOTAL NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:

  • 43

NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE REACHED DIRECTLY:

  • 3 100

NUMBER OF ADULTS REACHED DIRECTLY:

  • 1 200

NUMBER OF PEOPLE REACHED INDIRECTLY:

  • 90 000

Namibia’s Global Money Week launched in Swakopmund with a Street Parade, which was led by the National Youth Service Brass Band, and involved hundreds of primary and secondary school learners, community members and stakeholders.

Following the parade was the Official Opening in the “Global Money Week Centre” with a big tent in the Municipality parking lot. Here, the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Namibia launched the new “Digital Financial Literacy Booklet” which was developed in collaboration by Bank of Namibia and Financial Literacy Initiative for a national roll-out.

Key stakeholders provided presentations and one-on-one conversations in 18 businesses, schools, neighborhoods and government agencies throughout the community and within exhibition stalls inside the “GMW Centre.” Interactive sessions targeted school learners, youth groups and local entrepreneurs focused on budgeting and saving techniques, understanding banking services and managing personal finances and avoiding debt traps. A key highlight on digital finance focused on education on digital payments and mobile banking, awareness of online financial risks and fraud prevention.

Outreach initiatives and educational campaigns also aimed at informal vendors in the Mondesa neighbourhood. These conversations focused on money management, financial rights and responsibilities and inclusion of underserved groups in financial systems. The initiative emphasized building confidence in handling financial matters. Community members also made use of the platform to open bank account for their children.

Teams of debate students showcased their critical thinking and public speaking skills as they debated the topic: “Financial Literacy should be a compulsory subject in all secondary schools.” A panel discussion brought together financial experts, educators and young leaders who shared practical insights, real-life experiences and strategies for making informed financial decisions.

A vibrant dance competition added excitement and allowed participants to express financial themes such as saving, investing and responsible spending through artistic performance. This activity blended entertainment with education. The music used by the competitors required the word, “money,” in some format. Following the dance-off, several audience members joined the dancing for an impromptu dance celebration.

An innovative Community Solutions entrepreneurship pitch session, which was in the style of the “Shark Tank” television show, brought additional creativity. Students presented their business ideas aimed at solving community challenges, by focusing on financial inclusion and economic empowerment. A judging panel evaluated the pitches, offering constructive feedback and selecting standout ideas based on creativity, feasibility and impact. These activities not only fostered talent and innovation, but also critical thinking about sustainable community solutions.

The winning pitch team of four school learners received a cash deposit into a group savings bank account, in conjunction with periodic mentoring by bank managers. Each individual member of the winning teams also received cash prizes.

Additional contests for secondary and primary school learners included a Kahoot! Quiz about financial literacy, an essay writing contest focused on “Why Financial Literacy Matters to Me,” the “Spot the Scam” challenge which engaged secondary school learner teams focusing on recognizing, preventing and proactively combatting real-life scenarios of fraud and scams and a poem contest about money matters.

Thirty-five entrepreneurs joined the “Micro Business Simulation Games Training” by assuming roles of business owners and making decisions about budgeting, pricing, marketing and investment in a risk-free environment. This hands-on approach helped them understand real-world challenges like cash flow management, competition and strategic planning. By experiencing consequences of their choices in a simulated market, entrepreneurs gained valuable insights into running sustainable businesses, reinforcing the importance of financial literacy and responsible entrepreneurship. Two teams of  participants also pitched their ideas in conjunction with the “Shark Tank” competition.

2023 Namibia Global Money Week

LEADING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Empower to Inspire

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:

  • One Economy Foundation; VISA Inc; Bank Windhoek; Cents; Wise Consulting Services CC

NUMBER OF CHILDREN REACHED DIRECTLY:

  • 35

NUMBER OF PEOPLE REACHED INDIRECTLY:

  • 6

During Global Money Week, financial literacy workshops were offered to young aspiring entrepreneurs. 

2018 Namibia Global Money Week

LEADING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Empower to Inspire

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:

  • N/A

NUMBER OF CHILDREN REACHED DIRECTLY:

  • 25

NUMBER OF PEOPLE REACHED INDIRECTLY:

  • 14

Empower to Inspire
Empower to Inspire, a youth organisation in Namibia, reached more than 30 children, youth and adults during their GMW2018 celebrations. Three different activities took place throughout the Week, including workshops, money competitions and seminars to educate children on the most effective ways to save money. The event, which was the first GMW event organised by Empower to Inspire, was successful and all participants are looking forward to next year’s events!

2016 Namibia Global Money Week

LEADING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Financial Literacy Initiative (FLI)
  • Ministry of Finance
  • SOS Village
  • GEN Namibia
  • Namibia Stock Exchange

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Schools

NUMBER OF CHILDREN REACHED DIRECTLY:

  • 320

NUMBER OF CHILDREN REACHED INDIRECTLY:

  • 320

The Financial Literacy Initiative (FLI) Namibia celebrated four years of its existence on March 12th - two days before the official Global Money Week launch. The FLI is a national platform initiated by the Ministry of Finance with support from other organisations to enhance financial education for individuals in Namibia. There were lots of fun and interactive activities for children, live performances from renowned local artists, art exhibitions and displays from FLI platform supporters. As part of the activities to commemorate the day, the FLI organised an art competition with the theme: ‘Namibia saves for the Future.’ The competition objective was to raise awareness and motivate a savings culture among pupils, giving them an opportunity to be creative in the process. Students were encouraged to artistically express the reasons that motivated them to save for a university education, travelling, sports or simply to assist their parents in meeting daily household needs. Entries consisted of art work in the form of paintings, drawings, sketches and designed savings containers. Prizes of N$1 000, N$1 500 and N$2 500 were awarded to participants aged 7 - 12 years for their creativity in designing a savings tool.

The SOS Children’s Village organised a two-day youth empowerment workshop to mark Global Money Week in Namibia. The workshop was aimed at capacitating youth workers to support young people towards self-reliance and re-integration into society. The organisation also coordinated an educational visit to the Namibia Stock Exchange.

2015 Namibia Global Money Week

LEADING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Aflatoun Namibia
  • First National Bank Namibia

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Schools

NUMBER OF CHILDREN REACHED DIRECTLY:

  • 1 725

NUMBER OF CHILDREN REACHED INDIRECTLY:

  • 1 725

Aflatoun Namibia celebrated Global Money Week and Aflatoun Day in the rural areas of Omusati, Oshana and Ohangwena. Activities that marked the day included bank visits and savings account openings, painting competitions, as well as arts and cultural displays. Parents of beneficiaries of the Aflatoun programs within the three areas actively participated in the celebrations.

The organisers combined the painting competition with a financial enterprise. The paints were auctioned to parents. The painting that received the highest bid was from an Aflatounee. It was a beautiful combination of flowing colours from crayons melting in one direction - depicting unity in diversity. The piece was sold at N$200 (17 USD). Aflateens had a special session on financial education with a volunteer banker to learn about budgeting. The Aflateens had many questions for the banker. The pro and cons of ATM banking were discussed.

2014 Namibia Global Money Week

LEADING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Junior Achievement Namibia
  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Finance
  • Ministry of Health and Social Services
  • Ministry of Defense
  • Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare
  • Bank of Namibia
  • UNICEF
  • Embassy of Finland
  • Malaysian Embassy

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Schools

NUMBER OF CHILDREN REACHED DIRECTLY:

  • 8 967

NUMBER OF CHILDREN REACHED INDIRECTLY:

  • 8 967

Junior Achievement Namibia in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Ministry of Education (all schools in Windhoek), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ministry of Defense, Bank of Namibia, UNICEF, Finnish Embassy, Malaysian Embassy and other Financial Institutions celebrated Global Money Week in style with a Guinness Coin Challenge in support of the CareFusion Project combating teenage pregnancy and infanticide. The project is spear headed by Junior Achievement’s Top Achiever Emma Theofelus who is also the Junior Mayor of Windhoek. She her fellow student councilors conducted peer education workshops for the girls involved in the CareFusion Project. A celebration dinner was held for the most regular savers in the Aflatoun programme which year-round in Windhoek and the surrounding areas.

2013 Namibia Global Money Week

LEADING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Junior Achievement Namibia

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:

  • Schools

NUMBER OF CHILDREN REACHED DIRECTLY:

  • 16 200

NUMBER OF CHILDREN REACHED INDIRECTLY:

  • 16 200

Aflatoun day and Global Money Week in Namibia were organised on the 16 March 2013. The event was attended by government officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Financial literacy Initiative. Learners from both Primary and Secondary schools joined the celebrations, each school with its unique idea to showcase at the celebrations.

A special video was prepared which was screened on the LCD’s in all the First National Banks in Namibia country wide which invited bank guests to the celebrations.