A Namibian writer with a background in computer science argues that university graduates often lack fundamental economic literacy, leaving them unprepared for the financial realities of professional life. According to AllAfrica, the author, who holds a science degree, noted that their first economics module during MBA studies prompted the question of why such concepts are not taught earlier. The writer suggests that scarcity, supply and demand, and inflation are not abstract textbook ideas but daily experiences that affect personal finances and business operations.
The article highlights that these economic principles are often unfamiliar to students in science, engineering, and technology disciplines. AllAfrica reports that the author observes how interest rates, exchange rates, and incentives directly influence decisions ranging from mortgage payments to the pricing of imported goods. The writer contends that when graduates begin earning salaries, borrowing money, or starting companies, they enter a complex economic environment that they are often expected to navigate without formal training.
The piece situates this educational gap within Namibia’s specific economic context. AllAfrica cites the Namibia Statistics Agency, which reported 2025 annual gross domestic product growth of 1.7% and an unemployment rate of 36.9%. The author argues that these figures are not just statistics but describe the environment in which businesses operate. The National Planning Commission’s sixth National Development Plan targets economic growth of 7% or more by 2030 and an employment rate of 75%, goals that the writer describes as fundamentally economic in nature.
The author also connects these macroeconomic goals to daily operational realities. AllAfrica notes that the writer’s work in technology for microlenders and online bookshops has made concepts like monetary policy and market structure tangible. For instance, a monetary policy decision eventually impacts loan calculations and repayment schedules, while supply and demand determine property market movements. The writer argues that Namibia’s currency peg to the South African rand, managed by the Bank of Namibia, further constrains the country’s independent monetary policy options.
According to AllAfrica, the author concludes that economic literacy allows individuals to view the country differently. The writer suggests that universities should assess whether graduates understand the economic environment in which they will live and work, rather than just their technical proficiency. The article posits that every graduate eventually leaves the lecture hall and enters the economy, making basic economic understanding a critical component of higher education.