National Youth Service (NYS) Namibia

What National Youth Service (NYS) Namibia does

National Youth Service (NYS) is a Namibian government parastatal established under the National Youth Service Act, 2005 (Act no. 6 of 2005), with its programme operational since 2007. It is headquartered in Windhoek and reports to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, with the President of Namibia serving as head of the Service and a Board appointed by the President. NYS delivers a three-phase structured programme: National Service Training (Phase One, a 6-month discipline and patriotism programme run with NDF and NAMPOL support); Voluntary Service (Phase Two, a 6–12 month national-development programme covering de-bushing, farm maintenance, fencing, and harvesting); and Technical Vocational Education and Training / TVET (Phase Three, a 3-year programme offering 11 accredited trades spanning agriculture, construction, hospitality, manufacturing, and business services, registered with NTA and accredited by NQA).

The core technology stack is a blended human-led training infrastructure: military-style discipline training co-delivered with the Namibian Defence Force and Namibian Police Force, combined with vocational skills training. NYS supplements this with digital procurement systems, network infrastructure upgrades at training centres, and an informational website with an e-recruitment portal for vacancies and alumni applications. It also maintains wholly owned subsidiaries — Namibia Grape Company (NGC, Aussenkehr table grapes for local and international markets) and NYS Investment (PTY) LTD — plus seven agricultural production sites covering over 9,000 hectares (Rietfontein, Gemsbokpan, Omauni, Eunda, Berg Aukas, Henties Bay, !Nauaspoort) producing maize, mahangu, vegetables, eggs (3,200/day), dairy, cattle, and game.

The business model is primarily government-funded: NYS receives its core operating budget via state allocation through the line ministry, with programmes delivered free of charge to eligible Namibian youth. Own-revenue is generated from agricultural production (livestock, crops, dairy, poultry) and from the Namibia Grape Company subsidiary's commercial table-grape operations, with a stated objective of moving toward financial self-sustainability under the 2023-2028 Integrated Strategic Business Plan. Since inception, NYS has produced 5,390 graduates, with reported outcomes of 60% finding full-time employment and 20% pursuing self-employment. Distribution is nationwide through training centres in Windhoek, Rietfontein (Otjozondjupa), and Henties Bay (Erongo), with recruitment channels funnelling graduates into NAMPOL, NCS, NDF, and other state employers.

Name

National Youth Service (NYS) Namibia

Legal name

National Youth Service

Website

https://nys.com.na

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

National Youth Service (NYS) Namibia is a government parastatal established under the National Youth Service Act, 2005, delivering a three-phase youth development programme — discipline training, voluntary service, and 11 accredited TVET trades — to Namibian youth, funded primarily by state allocation and supplemented by own-revenue from seven agricultural production sites and a grape-export subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Vocational Training Services

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Crop, Soil & Agronomy Technician Training (EDAOAOAF)

Keywords

• Youth development training
• Vocational skills training
• Agricultural production services
• National service programme
• Military discipline training

Headquarters

HQ city

Windhoek

HQ country

Namibia

HQ region

Africa

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Allocation: NYS derives its primary funding from government allocation through the Ministry of Sports, Youth, and National Service. This forms the core operational budget for training programmes, staff salaries, and facility maintenance.
2. Agricultural Production Revenue: Revenue generated from agricultural production operations including maize, mahangu, horticulture, poultry (eggs), dairy, and hay. These operations serve both trainee feeding and market sales for revenue generation.
3. Subsidiary Operations - Namibia Grape Company: Namibia Grape Company (NGC), a wholly owned subsidiary of NYS, produces table grapes for local and international markets from its Aussenkehr farm. This commercial operation contributes to NYS revenue and youth employment.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NYS delivers a three-phase youth training programme: (1) National Service Training - a 6-month military-style discipline and patriotism programme; (2) Voluntary Service - a 6 to 12-month national development service; and (3) Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) - 3-year accredited skills training across 11 trades. The organisation also operates seven agricultural production farms for revenue generation and trainee feeding, and runs a wholly owned subsidiary (Namibia Grape Company) producing table grapes.

Product overview

National Youth Service (NYS) Namibia is a government youth development institution established under the National Youth Service Act, 2005 (Act No. 6 of 2005). NYS operates a structured three-phase training programme: (1) National Service Training (Phase One) - a 6-month discipline and patriotism programme; (2) Voluntary Service (Phase Two) - a 6-12 month national service programme; and (3) Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) (Phase Three) - offering 11 accredited skills trades over 3 years. Additionally, NYS operates seven agricultural production units (Rietfontein, Gemsbokpan, Omauni, Eunda, Henties Bay, Berg Aukas, and !Nauaspoort) for revenue generation and trainee feeding. The organization provides publications including information booklets and brochures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Service Training (Phase One) A 6-month military-style training programme delivered at the Henties Bay Training Centre with assistance from the Namibian Defence Force and Namibian Police Force. Aims to instil discipline, cultivate patriotism, and develop physical and mental endurance, moral and ethical character. Serves as the feeder programme for Voluntary Service and TVET phases.
• Voluntary Service (Phase Two) A 6 to 12-month voluntary service programme mobilising youth in projects of national importance, including de-bushing, cleaning, farm maintenance, fencing, harvesting, and weeding. Designed to instil volunteerism and civic virtues among Namibian youth and contribute to national development.
• Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) (Phase Three) A 3-year vocational training programme with a minimum 6-month industrial job attachment, offering 11 accredited skills trades registered with the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) and accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA). Trades cover Agriculture (Horticulture, Livestock, Farm Machinery, Farm Management), Civil and Building Services (Bricklaying, Plumbing), Clothing Production, Hospitality and Tourism, Manufacturing (Joinery, Welding), and Business Services (Office Administration).
• Rietfontein Agricultural Production Farm 1,616 ha agricultural production farm situated 40km south of Grootfontein in Otjozondjupa Region. Produces white and yellow maize, hay bales, vegetables, maize meal, mahangu flour, milk, and eggs. Houses a 4,000-layer poultry operation producing approximately 3,200 eggs daily and a dairy producing 300 litres of cultured milk per month. Also houses the Rietfontein Training Centre.
• Gemsbokpan Beef and Game Farm 7,222 ha farm located 90km south-east of Grootfontein. Includes 5,000 ha of grazing and 2,000 ha of game-proof land. Operates an 800-head beef herd producing approximately 200 market-ready animals per year and a game farming operation with more than 200 animals including eland, kudu, and giraffe. Future plans include charcoal production.
• Omauni Agricultural Production Area 150 ha farm situated 63km east of Okongo in Ohangwena Region. Produces mahangu (pearl millet) under rain-fed irrigation.
• Eunda Agricultural Production Area 40 ha farm located 30km east of Ruacana in Omusati Region, with 16 ha arable land. Produces vegetables including cabbage, tomatoes, and spinach on approximately 5 ha, yielding an average of 20 tonnes of fresh produce per year.
• Henties Bay Greenhouse Production Farm 2 ha greenhouse facility at Henties Bay producing horticulture crops, co-located with the Henties Bay Training Centre used for National Service Training.
• Berg Aukas Agricultural Production Farm 308 ha farm situated 18km north-east of Grootfontein in Otjozondjupa Region, producing white and yellow maize and vegetables.
• !Nauaspoort Garden Production Site 1 ha vegetable production garden located 70km south-east of Windhoek in Khomas Region.
• Namibia Grape Company (NGC) Subsidiary Operations

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% of graduates find full-time employment within various sectors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and CulturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLine ministry providing oversight and policy direction for NYS educational and skills training programmes. The Minister officiates key NYS events including TVET graduation ceremonies.
• Namibian Defence Force (NDF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides military training assistance and support for National Service Training programmes at NYS training centres. Contributes to drill, physical training, and weaponry skills modules.
• Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssists with National Service Training and conducts recruitment of NYS graduates into the police force through formal call-up processes.
• Namibian Correctional Service (NCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssists with National Service Training and recruits NYS graduates into correctional service through formal call-up processes.
• Namibia Training Authority (NTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory body that registers NYS TVET trades and programmes. Ensures vocational training meets national standards and certification requirements.
• Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccrediting body for NYS skills trades programmes. Ensures that TVET qualifications meet quality standards for national certification.
• National Youth Council (NYC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body coordinating youth development initiatives nationally. Collaborates with NYS on youth empowerment programmes.
• Namibian Ports Authority (NAMPORT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-owned enterprise providing potential employment and training opportunities for NYS graduates in port operations and logistics.
• Ministry of Gender Equality and Child WelfareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Children Living and Working on the Streets. NYS provided training facilities at Henties Bay Centre for the six-week programme.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco): Meatco is a Namibian beef processing and marketing enterprise that could absorb Gemsbokpan's 200 market-ready cattle annually. It is not a training peer but a natural offtake and value-chain partner for NYS's livestock operations.
• Agribank of Namibia: Agribank provides agricultural financing in Namibia and is a natural ecosystem partner for NYS's seven production sites. It does not compete with NYS but represents an enabling financial institution relevant to NYS's self-sustainability strategy.

Direct peers

• Vocational Training Authority (VTA) Namibia: VTA operates vocational training centres across Namibia delivering NQA-accredited trades, overlapping with NYS's TVET curriculum (e.g., welding, plumbing, joinery, office administration). It is the principal domestic alternative TVET provider, though NYS uniquely combines civic/military training.
• National Youth Development Agency (NYDA): South Africa's NYDA is a government-led youth development agency offering skills programmes, employment pathways, and entrepreneurship support. It is the closest regional peer to NYS Namibia's mandate of equipping youth with employable skills and connecting them to economic opportunities.
• National Youth Service (Kenya): Kenya's National Youth Service is a statutory government agency delivering disciplined youth training combined with vocational skills and large-scale agricultural and construction operations. It mirrors NYS Namibia's integrated model of civic service, paramilitary training, and economic production on government land.
• Zimbabwe National Youth Service: Zimbabwe's National Youth Service (ZANU-PF affiliated) is a government-mandated youth training programme combining civic, military, and vocational components. It is the closest ideological and structural analogue in the SADC region, though operating under a different political framework.

Regional players

• Botswana National Youth Service Programme: Botswana's Department of Youth operates a national youth service programme focused on skills training and civic engagement for Botswana's youth. It serves a similar role within the SADC region but does not directly compete for trainees or resources in Namibia.

Broad incumbents

• University of Namibia (UNAM): UNAM is the country's largest public university with faculties in agriculture, engineering, and education that produce graduates in overlapping skill domains. It does not compete for paramilitary trainees but represents the broader Namibian tertiary education landscape.
• Namibia Training Authority (NTA): NTA is the statutory regulator that registers and oversees all TVET trades in Namibia, including NYS's 11 trades. It is not a competing training provider but a regulator/governance counterpart that defines curriculum and assessment standards for NYS programmes.
• Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST): NUST is Namibia's primary public higher-education institution offering TVET-adjacent diploma and degree programmes in technology, business, and agriculture. It overlaps in curriculum areas but operates in the higher-education tier rather than NYS's paramilitary-youth-service niche.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nys-na

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Youth Service (NYS) Namibia