Windhoek Observer

13459 Posts
Vehicle sales hit highest level in years

Vehicle sales hit highest level in years

Chamwe Kaira  Vehicle sales rose to 1 662 units in March, up 43% from 1 162 units in February and 25.3% higher than the 1,326 units recorded in March 2025. This is the strongest March performance since 2015 and lifts first-quarter sales to 3 835 units, compared to 3 412 units in the same period last year, according to Simonis Storm Securities. The report said the recovery follows a slow start to the year and is supported by fleet replacements, rental purchases ahead of the tourism season and lower interest rates. Passenger vehicle sales reached 746 units in March, up…
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Namibia commits N$4bn to power link with Angola

Namibia commits N$4bn to power link with Angola

Chamwe Kaira  Minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse has reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to regional energy cooperation following the signing of agreements for the Angola–Namibia interconnector transmission line. Speaking in Luanda, Amutse said Cabinet approved about N$4 billion in funding on 10 February. The funds will support NamPower’s share in building transmission infrastructure from Cahama in Angola to Kunene in Namibia, including network development within Namibia. The agreements include a power purchase agreement and a joint development agreement.  These mark progress on the project. The development follows engagements between Namibia and Angola, including a ministerial visit on 9 March…
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Windhoek hosts continental aviation gathering 

Windhoek hosts continental aviation gathering 

Staff Writer Windhoek is hosting a continental aviation gathering this week as Aviation Week Africa gets underway under the theme “Linking Africa: Partners for Growth". The four-day event runs from 21 to 24 April at the Windhoek International Convention Centre, with related activities at the Mövenpick Hotel Windhoek. The programme started on 21 April with arrivals, registration and accreditation. The official opening on 22 April includes remarks from industry and government leaders such as Aaron Munetsi, Indileni Daniel and Teofilus Shaende.  Other speakers include Namibia Airports Company (NAC) chief executive officer Bisey Uirab and representatives from Zambia. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah…
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Nedbank says Namibia market still promising

Nedbank says Namibia market still promising

Staff Writer Nedbank Group says Namibia’s operating environment presents structural challenges, including exposure to climate risks such as drought. In its 2025 integrated report, the group said these risks increase the need for monitoring, especially in agriculture, water-intensive sectors, and rural areas.  It said it is focusing on sustainable finance and long-term planning in its regional operations, including Namibia. Nedbank operates in five countries outside South Africa, including Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini and Zimbabwe. South Africa remains its main market, accounting for about 91% of total assets. The group said regional operations are becoming more important for growth and diversification.…
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Bank Windhoek honours top car dealers in the north

Bank Windhoek honours top car dealers in the north

Staff Writer Bank Windhoek has recognised top dealer partners at the Northern Selekt Sales Awards held in Oshakati. The event honoured dealerships and sales professionals for their performance in 2025.  The awards highlight the bank’s focus on partnerships in the motoring sector and support for vehicle finance. Regional manager for the far north, Mire Christof, said Namibia recorded 14 494 vehicle sales in 2025, the highest since 2015.  She said the trend continued into 2026, with 1 005 units sold in January, the strongest January since 2016 and a 4% increase from a year earlier. She said demand remains strong…
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Financial sector pushes for stronger climate finance collaboration

Financial sector pushes for stronger climate finance collaboration

Staff Writer Namibia’s financial sector is increasing efforts to mobilise climate finance as stakeholders call for stronger collaboration to address funding gaps and climate risks. The call came during a Namibia Sustainable Finance Alliance dialogue co-hosted by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) and Rand Merchant Bank. Policymakers, financial institutions and industry experts met to discuss ways to scale climate finance. The alliance, launched in October 2025, aims to integrate sustainability and climate resilience into Namibia’s financial system. FirstRand Namibia chief risk officer Teresa Louw said collaboration across sectors is key. “These forums matter deeply because they convene diverse institutions, perspectives…
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Diamond market cautious amid war impact

The diamond industry was mixed in March as the Middle East war added new pressures.  The market remained split between small and large goods. Trading in Israel and Dubai froze amid Iranian missile strikes following the start of the conflict on February 28. US tariffs on Indian goods remained a worry for dealers, despite having fallen to 10% in February. Polished diamonds of 2 carats and larger were in demand and in short supply, especially in long fancy shapes. Large New York wholesalers saw steady orders from retailers. The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat diamonds, which tracks round, D…
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A tribute to Hon. James Unomasa Uerikua

A tribute to Hon. James Unomasa Uerikua

George Kambala  There are moments in a nation’s life when time seems to stand still when the noise of politics fades, when the urgency of daily life pauses, and when we are called, collectively, to reflect. The passing of Hon. James Unomasa Uerikua is one such moment. It is difficult to speak of loss when the life we are remembering was so full, full of purpose, of conviction, of quiet but unwavering strength. And yet, perhaps the true measure of a life is not in how loudly it was lived, but in how deeply it was felt by those it…
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Act 16 of 2005 at the intersection of law and political legitimacy of foundational memory in Namibia

Act 16 of 2005 at the intersection of law and political legitimacy of foundational memory in Namibia

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Namibia’s conferment of the status of founding father of the Namibian nation on the first president of the republic under an Act of Parliament (Act 16 of 2005) is not merely a commemorative gesture.  It is a decisive political act that singularly put the origin story of the state and covered a complex liberation history into a legally sanctioned truth. In doing so, it does something far more consequential than honour the Founding Father, H.E. Dr Sam Nujoma; it narrows the field of interpretation and anchors political legitimacy in a…
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Presidency, ACC, Health Ministry worst at customer service

Presidency, ACC, Health Ministry worst at customer service

Renthia Kaimbi A customer service charter audit has placed the Office of the President, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services among the lowest-performing institutions in the 2024/2025 financial year. The audit, compiled by the Office of the Prime Minister, assessed 18 offices, ministries and agencies (OMAs) on customer service standards.  According to the document seen by the Windhoek Observer, only six institutions scored above 50%. The Ministry of Health and Social Services ranked last at 18th with 22%.  The Office of the President followed in 17th position with 25%.  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries,…
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