DBN SME Finance

The Development Bank lends to small and medium businesses that commercial banks find too risky or too new, for projects that create jobs and add value in Namibia. It is not a grant: it expects a viable plan, an own contribution and, in most cases, security.

From N$150,000. Development Bank of Namibia. Open all year: Applications are taken all year at DBN’s SME Centre and branches. DBN reported lending more than N$1 billion to SMEs by June 2026.

The terms

  • Minimum loan N$150,000, as listed on DBN’s SME finance page
  • Repayment normally over up to ten years
  • An own contribution towards the project, reported at around 10% and up to 30% depending on risk
  • Collateral decided case by case; youth and women-focused products have their own rules

Who qualifies

Small and medium businesses with annual turnover of N$10 million or less

  • An SME with annual turnover of N$10 million or less
  • A project in Namibia that is commercially viable and adds jobs or value
  • A registered business, with tax and Social Security in good standing

What to prepare

  • A business plan and a cash flow projection covering at least 36 months
  • Financial statements or management accounts for an existing business; bank statements for the business and its owners
  • Quotes, contracts or purchase orders that support the numbers
  • Proof of your own contribution, and details of any security you can offer

What actually decides it

The repayment story. A DBN credit officer reads the cash flow first: whether the business can pay the instalment in a bad month, and what happens if it cannot. Contracts in hand and records that match the bank statements carry far more weight than optimistic projections.

How to apply

Through DBN’s SME Centre or any DBN branch.

DBN’s published own-contribution and collateral rules are not consistent across sources. Ask the SME Centre for the current requirements before you prepare.

Get the paperwork right before you apply

A registered business: Close Corporation N$1,300 or Private Company N$5,500, government fees included

NamRA and Social Security registrations: N$300 each

Current Good Standing certificates: N$300 per certificate, or N$800 a month to keep all of them current

Frequently asked questions

How much can I get from DBN SME Finance?

From N$150,000. Minimum loan N$150,000, as listed on DBN’s SME finance page.

Who qualifies for DBN SME Finance?

Small and medium businesses with annual turnover of N$10 million or less. An SME with annual turnover of N$10 million or less. A project in Namibia that is commercially viable and adds jobs or value. A registered business, with tax and Social Security in good standing.

Is DBN SME Finance open now?

Open all year. Applications are taken all year at DBN’s SME Centre and branches. DBN reported lending more than N$1 billion to SMEs by June 2026.

How do I apply to DBN SME Finance?

Through DBN’s SME Centre or any DBN branch.

What do I need to prepare?

A business plan and a cash flow projection covering at least 36 months. Financial statements or management accounts for an existing business; bank statements for the business and its owners. Quotes, contracts or purchase orders that support the numbers. Proof of your own contribution, and details of any security you can offer.

Sources

  • Development Bank of Namibia: SME Finance
  • The Brief, June 2026: DBN lends over N$1 billion to SMEs
  • New Era: Development that won’t fund development (opinion)

Checked 2026-11-11. All funders.