Social Responsibility

page toppage bottom

Since its establishment in 2005, OSHIPE Development Fund (Pty) Ltd has made 17 investments in 12 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Namibia. These investments were made in SMEs situated in the Karas Region (four), Khomas Region (four) and the Northern regions of Namibia (four). The funded SMEs operate in the main sectors of the Namibian economy namely mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and service provision.

At the end of December 2009, N$8,835 million was approved for financial assistance to SMEs whilst N$8,098 million was disbursed. This represents a disbursement rate of 91.67 .

The funding forwarded to SMEs consists of two equity investments and 15 loans. The two equity investments were made in private companies. OSHIPE holds 29 of the shares in Okawe Vegetables (Pty) Ltd, which produces vegetables along the Orange River at Oranjemund, and 26 of the shares in Africa Garment Manufacturers (Pty) Ltd, a company located in Windhoek specialising in the manufacture of uniforms, safety wear and corporate clothing.

Although the general economic climate in 2009 posed significant challenges for SMEs and impacted on their performance, most of the funded SMEs managed to adapt their focus and operations in order to ensure sustainability in the long term.