Windhoek Observer

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s non-banking financial institutions sector reached total assets of N$552.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) released its latest statistical bulletin, outlining trends and performance across the sector. The sector includes insurance companies, medical aid funds, retirement funds, friendly societies, capital markets and microlending institutions.  It recorded 1 193 active entities and 15 512 intermediaries at the end of the quarter. Assets grew by 4.7% compared to the previous quarter and by 16.6% year-on-year. Pension funds, long-term insurers and collective investment schemes accounted for more than 90% of total assets.…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) expects a constrained operating environment to continue in 2026, citing pressure from global supply costs, higher tax charges and lower volumes to South Africa after the expiry of its minimum supply agreement with Heineken Beverages on 30 April. The company released its financial results for the year ended December 2025, reporting growth across beverage categories and gains in market share. Net revenue increased by 4% to N$4.8 billion, supported by growth across categories and changes in product mix. Operating profit rose by 42% to N$830 million, driven by improved margins following the localisation of…

Chamwe Kaira The electricity and water sector grew by 12.6% in 2025, up from 2% in 2024, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). The growth was driven by the electricity subsector, which expanded by 14.9% compared to 3.3% in 2024.  The increase is linked to higher local electricity production supported by good rainfall in catchment areas for hydropower generation. The construction sector also recorded growth, increasing by 20.2% in 2025 from 3.3% in 2024.  This was supported by civil engineering works, mainly linked to electricity infrastructure, as well as increased building activity. The transport and storage sector slowed to…

Chamwe Kaira The Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX) recorded gains for the week of 23 to 27 March 2026, with the overall index rising by 2.76% to 2 127.37 points from 2 070.30 the previous week. Despite the increase, the index remains 0.65% lower than its level in December 2025. The local index declined by 0.10% to 817.63 points, although it is still 1.22% higher than its December level. Basic materials led the gains, rising by 5.92% to 727.00 points. The sector is now 1.61% higher than at the end of 2025. Consumer staples increased by 3.96% to 1 343.08 points…

Some of the large coloured diamonds that have brought in multimillion-dollar prices at auction in recent years.  “There have been fewer super-high-end sales in the past few years than what you saw 10 years ago, and that is just a statement of fact,” says Quig Bruning, Sotheby’s head of jewellery for the Americas and for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The reasons for the drop vary, from fewer elite buyers and a dearth of “wow” stones to collection hoarding, oversaturation, and a growing knowledge of prices.  However, the number of exceptional blue, pink and yellow diamonds on offer…