Namibia - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

The business protect is going to be established in the north of Namibia, Rundu. The residence will accommodate students from UNAM Rundu campus in partnership with the university at affordable rates to solve lack of housing issues for students.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The project is going to construct a student residential building with 15 single rooms(for senior students) and 20 twin rooms( for first year students). The residence will be semi furnished with beds and fridges to be shared per floor. WiFi will be included to enable access to online learning. A printshop will also be included in the project to where students can helped with their printing needs. The project will also include a study room fitted with desktop computers that will accessible by the students residing at the residence. The aim is to make the accommodation hustle free for students and they just check in with their personal belongings and no need to source major furniture items. Security will be incorporated. A shuttle will also be provided for students to be transported at regular intervals between the residence, campus and central town, all costs inclusive in the fees. The university will help facilitate placements of students including those with government funding.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem is scarcity of decent student accommodation that provides the basic needs of a student at the place of residence such as furniture (bed, fridge microwave & stove), WiFi, study area and a tuck shop with daily consumables. The University of Namibia’s Rundu campus was previously a College of Education, focused on training teachers, located in an area once considered semi rural. The on campus accommodation is very small and only accommodates about half of students in need of accommodation. The nearby community is full of shack dwellings and back yard units where students often seek accommodation and not conducive for learning. I am from Rundu myself so would like to contribute some decent, urban residential student housing which will contribute to their success.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The benefits are as follows: - Convenient for students as they do not have to worry about basic furniture. - essentials such as WiFi, electricity and water is all inclusive in the fees - Transport is readily available at regular intervals thus promoting safety especially for late night campus activities and timelines - The location is 5min walking distance to campus. - The accommodation is strictly for students therefore making the environment student friendly.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The target beneficiaries are students in Rundu(north of Namibia) that will enroll at UNAM Rundu campus, especially students from the neighboring towns.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-15

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

N/A

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

k) Property (real estate)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Education is a key factor to enabling the youth to be employable or create opportunities of their own and housing for students is key in their education journey as it helps them remain focused especially during examinations. With successful students it results in employment opportunities which eventually will combat poverty as the students are now graduates that can look after themselves and their families.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Again, majority of people work 9-5 jobs in various professions and education is the common denominator. The learning often continues at the place of residence so providing an up to standard facilities that have decent lighting and access to the internet helps students with their learning experience and research work. Successful graduates are employable and can make a living therefore eradicating hunger.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

I mentioned earlier about the area the campus is located in, which is semi-rural. Currently no quality student accommodation exists outside of the campus and my business proposal is promoting state of the art facilities that promotes cleanliness and wellbeing for students.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The project is for student accommodation and the aim is that the residential accommodation is equipped with student facilities such as a library/study room with computers and WiFi.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The student accommodation will consist of 2 main blocks, one for male students and the other for females.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

The land at which the student residence is going to be established has access to clean water and sanitation.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

The location is electrified by the local electricity distribution company and it will be affordable to students in an all inclusive fee charge.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

The project will result in employment opportunities for the local residents such as security guards, gardeners, cleaners, tuck shop assistant and a driver.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The construction of the student accommodation will be done with the consultation of qualified professionals such as quantity surveyors, engineers and contractors. This will ensure a resilient infrastructure to last for the foreseeable future.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

2

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

The aim is to contribute to the local community by creating employment opportunities and also bring state of the art infrastructure to the community and improve quality of life.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

In an event there are climate change issues such as flooding, the building will be made equipped with drainage system that will counter such an event. There will be a regular inspection to the building to ensure no damage goes unnoticed in order to maintain the safety and integrity of the building.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

6

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

There will be notices pasted in all areas with water points to sensitize all users about saving water and the importance of using water sparingly.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

6

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

My project will ensure all students are well represented and all emergency contacts are made available to the students to report any issues they may face to the relevant authorities. There will also be a care taker on site as the first respondent to any issues that may arise.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

The project will incorporate the possibility of powering the building with solar energy in the future improvement plans as opposes to fossil fuels. Green hydrogen will be examined and tested to provide energy in the long run to promote sustainable development.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

3

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

2

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

5

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

4

05.08 Justification

The student accommodation service is not entirely new however we are going to make improvements and enhance the quality of student accommodation in the area.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Local university students and what makes us stand out is our state of the art affordable housing with all student amenities in one place.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

No