The role of small and medium enterprise for economic growth: Rundu

This study was undertaken to find out how SME sub-sector in Namibia has performed and its impact on the economic growth of the country. A total of 200 SMEs were randomly selected from Rundu, a town in Kavango region of Namibia. A questionnaire was constructed and distributed to the selected SMEs. The responses were collated and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) analytical tool. The study revealed that while SME businesses are profitable, problems of policy inconsistency and poor infrastructural development continuously undermine the potentials of the market. The study also revealed that financial institutions like banks are attracted to areas where SMEs are established but getting funds through these institutions via loans has not been easy due to high interest rates and harsh conditions like types of collateral to present. It was also established that SMEs are good employers of labour but not without required support and facilities. SMEs will not engage more people to work for them when their businesses do not thrive.