WINDHOEK, April. 15– Nedbank Namibia has reaffirmed its commitment to building a future-ready workforce through a strengthened investment in its internal NedNamibia Holdings (NNH) Education Trust to support Nedbank employees and their dependants in accessing quality tertiary education across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
The trust was launched in 2025 to generate sustainable funding through the management of shares and investments. It provides financial assistance for any accredited programme within the SADC region.
At its inception, the trust supported 23 beneficiaries, consisting of 16 employees and 7 dependants, as reported at the launch event held in March 2025.
This initiative aligns with Nedbank’s broader drive to address Namibia’s low tertiary education enrolment relative to global rates. It also aims to empower employees through career-advancing qualifications.
One year later, the trust has expanded both in funding and impact.
In 2026, Nedbank Namibia allocated N$760 000 to fund the studies of 23 beneficiaries. This once again demonstrates sustained demand for the initiative and reaffirms the bank’s long-term commitment to education.
The 2026 beneficiaries represent diverse academic fields, including commerce, business administration, data science, finance management, law, information technology, management, economics, human resources, procurement, informatics, and microbiology.
This growth reflects how the trust has matured from a promising pilot initiative to a strategic human capital investment with increasing momentum year after year.
In contrast, the 2025 launch year focused primarily on establishing the trust and proving its concept.
The initial cohort, also comprising 23 beneficiaries, represented the first stage of demonstrating the trust’s relevance and effectiveness in enabling employee development.
The trust emerged in response to low tertiary enrolment figures (20.89% locally compared to the global 40% average). It also responds to the demonstrated link between higher education and improved employability, where those with tertiary qualifications are 24% more likely to secure employment.
The trust remains deeply connected to the bank’s employee value proposition, which prioritises career development, work-life balance, inclusivity, recognition and rewards, and purpose-led work.
This ecosystem continues to evolve through initiatives such as flexible work practices, Top Achiever Recognition Awards, and the award-winning Nedbank Wellness Facility.
Nedbank Namibia Executive for Human Capital, Bianca Muller said:
“The Trust has, in just one year, demonstrated both its necessity and its potential. The growing demand and quality of applications encouraged us to scale our commitment this year, increasing our allocation to ensure more of our employees and their dependents have access to quality tertiary education.”
Muller added:
“Our increased investment this year reinforces our commitment to Growth and People Transformation. The Trust is not an act of charity – it is a strategic investment in our people, our culture, and our future.”
NNH Education Trust Trustee Chairperson Elizabeth Mannasse echoed Muller’s words. She noted that the bank’s deepened investment in 2026 signifies a shift from establishing a new initiative to embedding a longterm institutional mechanism for skills development.
“We really are looking to not only solve Nedbank’s problems, but really Namibia at large, and I think that’s also reflected in our Minister of Finance National budget speech in terms of what she says in terms of the theme being People, Productivity and Prudence,” Mannasse said.
The growth in funding and eligible fields of study underscores Nedbank’s ambition to futureproof its workforce in a rapidly evolving skills landscape.
