Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / This research describes the current situation of small and micro enterprises (SME) in Western Namibia, its problems and constraints, but also its potential for growth and its capacity for absorption of the unemployed particularly in the informal sector. The thesis addresses a set of problems, especially regarding research in the region, impact of apartheid rule on SMEs as well as lack of business acumen on micro level and the new government SME support strategy which is ignoring traditional differences in business practices on macro level.