Prioritising development funding crucial
PHILLEPUS UUSIKU
Namibia has made significant progress in empowering women leaders both in government and the private sector.
To date, four out of the top five commercial banks in Namibia now have female managing directors making Namibia a leader on the continent in this regard.
These include Baronice Hans, the managing director (MD) of Bank Windhoek, Ester Kali, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Letshego Namibia, Martha Murora, the managing director (MD) at Nedbank Namibia and finally Mercia Geises the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Standard Bank.
According to Bank Windhoek’s MD Baronice Hans, the banking sector in particular has been transformed significantly over the last 7 years.
This opened the door to women and in just the last year the majority of bank CEO’s are women. This is remarkable and it creates hope in a country where young girls continue to face so many difficulties obstacles, she said.
“Those of us who represent so many people that were previously excluded and disregarded, have an obligation and duty to ensure that we perform at the highest level of business and ethical standards,” she added.
Tackling Challenges
In order to get the economy back on track, Hans says there is an urgent need to foster an environment and economy that encourages foreign direct investment (FDI).
Enabling policy should therefore be implemented with the requisite haste and diligence, especially since FDI has steadily declined since 2012.
“We need to do what it takes to create sustainable employment and job creation in our country.
National budget allocation towards development funding that leads to job creation and avoiding a full-scale lockdown such as the one that we saw in April 2020 is critical. I commend government for the actions that it has taken so far that have balanced protecting lives with protecting livelihoods,” she said.
Hans believe this has assisted businesses in navigating these turbulent times on the back of low interest rates, thus protecting more jobs.
Private sector credit extension (PSCE) should continue beyond debt deferment, good opportunities exist even in turbulent times and banks need to play a significant role in this regard whilst remaining responsible lenders,” Hans concluded. - [email protected]
Namibia has made significant progress in empowering women leaders both in government and the private sector.
To date, four out of the top five commercial banks in Namibia now have female managing directors making Namibia a leader on the continent in this regard.
These include Baronice Hans, the managing director (MD) of Bank Windhoek, Ester Kali, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Letshego Namibia, Martha Murora, the managing director (MD) at Nedbank Namibia and finally Mercia Geises the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Standard Bank.
According to Bank Windhoek’s MD Baronice Hans, the banking sector in particular has been transformed significantly over the last 7 years.
This opened the door to women and in just the last year the majority of bank CEO’s are women. This is remarkable and it creates hope in a country where young girls continue to face so many difficulties obstacles, she said.
“Those of us who represent so many people that were previously excluded and disregarded, have an obligation and duty to ensure that we perform at the highest level of business and ethical standards,” she added.
Tackling Challenges
In order to get the economy back on track, Hans says there is an urgent need to foster an environment and economy that encourages foreign direct investment (FDI).
Enabling policy should therefore be implemented with the requisite haste and diligence, especially since FDI has steadily declined since 2012.
“We need to do what it takes to create sustainable employment and job creation in our country.
National budget allocation towards development funding that leads to job creation and avoiding a full-scale lockdown such as the one that we saw in April 2020 is critical. I commend government for the actions that it has taken so far that have balanced protecting lives with protecting livelihoods,” she said.
Hans believe this has assisted businesses in navigating these turbulent times on the back of low interest rates, thus protecting more jobs.
Private sector credit extension (PSCE) should continue beyond debt deferment, good opportunities exist even in turbulent times and banks need to play a significant role in this regard whilst remaining responsible lenders,” Hans concluded. - [email protected]
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