Reverend Juuso Shikongo SS wins national economics competition

Reverend Juuso Shikongo Senior Secondary School turned classroom lessons in economics into a national achievement after emerging as the winner of the 2026 Bank of Namibia National High School Competition.

The school defeated three other finalists in the Grand Finale after months of preparation and regional competitions that tested learners’ knowledge of economics, banking, financial literacy and issues affecting Namibia’s economy.

This year’s competition attracted a record 206 schools from all 14 regions, with 824 learners taking part, giving young people a chance to test their knowledge beyond the classroom and engage with economic issues affecting the country.

Reverend Juuso Shikongo SS received N$50 000 for taking first place. Windhoek High School finished second and received N$30 000, while Nuuyoma Secondary School came third and received N$10 000. Saint Kizito College placed fourth and received a preloaded Wi-Fi router.

The Bank of Namibia National High School Competition is held every second year and aims to improve financial literacy among learners while helping them understand how the economy works.

Financial literacy refers to the ability to understand and manage money, including making informed decisions about saving, spending and financial planning. Through the competition, learners are introduced to topics such as inflation, banking, monetary policy and the role of the central bank.

The competition started with regional rounds held across all 14 regions. The best-performing schools advanced to the national semi-finals in Windhoek, where four schools secured a place in the Grand Finale. The competition allows learners to apply what they learnt in class to real economic issues affecting Namibia.

Bank of Namibia Deputy Governor Leonie Dunn said the competition has grown since it was introduced in 2007 and remains the Bank’s longest-running public education programme.

She said thousands of learners have participated in the competition over the years, with some former participants later becoming Bank of Namibia employees, receiving bursaries and contributing to the country’s economy.

Dunn said the competition is not only about answering questions correctly but also about helping young people understand issues that affect their everyday lives.

“This competition is therefore more than a quiz: it gives young people the knowledge to understand the forces shaping their lives. Impact does not begin at a certain age; it begins when ability, courage and action meet,” she said.

She encouraged learners to continue learning about developments that are changing Namibia’s economy, including oil and gas, green hydrogen, renewable energy, digital finance and artificial intelligence.

The competition forms part of the Bank of Namibia’s youth programmes, which include STEAM initiatives, EduVision, the Tertiary Institutions Debating Challenge and the Bank’s bursary programme.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, Deputy Director in the Ministry, Elizabeth Ndjendja said competitions like this help learners practically understand economics and finance.

She said preparing young Namibians for the future requires support from government, schools, teachers, families and communities.

“We must prepare young Namibians not merely for the world as it exists today, but for the world they will inherit tomorrow,” Ndjendja said.

Apart from competing for prizes, learners gained experience working in teams, researching topics and presenting their answers before judges and an audience.

The competition provided an opportunity to build confidence, improve their understanding of economic issues and learn from other learners from across Namibia.

-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na

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