Windhoek Observer – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

17 Nov

TURNING POINT | Black entrepreneurs and the curse of the value chain

Featured, Opinions

Namibia’s loss of nearly 30,000 employers in just five years is not a statistic to glance at and move on from. When placed alongside labour figures showing that only about 550 000 Namibians hold formal jobs and just 115 000 are registered taxpayers, the story becomes more troubling. It reveals an economy that not only struggles to generate employment but also fails to sustain the businesses expected to create those jobs. As a Black Namibian entrepreneur, I read this not as a collapse of imagination or ambition, but as evidence of deep, long-standing structural weaknesses in our economic foundation. The…

17 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | Quo Vadis, NIPDB?

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The impending departure of Nangula Uaandja from the helm of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) marks yet another twist in the turbulent journey of an institution that has, from its very inception, been mired in confusion, political tug-of-war, and chronic uncertainty. As the nation reflects on what this means for investment promotion and economic governance, one uncomfortable truth demands confrontation: Namibia continues to create institutions without the clarity, stability and legislative backbone required for them to thrive. From the moment NIPDB was launched under the administration of the late President Hage Geingob, optimism was tempered by unease.…

17 Nov

NAM assets under management reach N$22.2 billion

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia Asset Management (NAM) reported growth in key financial indicators for the year ended 30 September 2025, reflecting steady performance in a difficult economic period. Operating profit increased to N$16.1 million from N$13.7 million the previous year. Fund management earnings rose to N$10.7 million, compared to N$9.4 million in 2024. Total comprehensive income reached N$12.4 million. Shareholders also saw stronger returns. Basic and headline earnings per share increased to 7.89 cents from 6.99 cents in 2024. Net asset value per share improved to 21.48 cents. NAM’s assets under management grew by 9.9% to N$22.2 billion. The company said…

17 Nov

Santam premiums and profits rise sharply

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Santam Limited reported strong results for the nine months ending 30 September, delivering growth across key areas and beating its long-term targets. The company recorded double-digit growth in gross written and net earned premiums. Its underwriting margin stayed above the targeted 5 to 10% range, and its annualised return on capital exceeded 30%. Net income growth remained in line with the first half of the year. On 7 April 2025, Allianz Europe BV acquired 8.59% in SanlamAllianz. This resulted in a final shareholding split of 51% for Sanlam and 49% for Allianz. Sanlam Life Namibia was sold to…

17 Nov

Namibia gets N$876m from Germany for new clean energy projects

Observer Money

Staff Writer Germany will provide Namibia with €43.8 million (about N$876 million) for new projects in green energy, vocational training, sustainable urban development and natural resource management. The support was confirmed during intergovernmental negotiations between the two governments held on Thursday in Lüderitz. The funds will assist Namibia in meeting targets under the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6). Namibia aims to raise electricity access from about 59% today to 70% by 2030 and reach universal access by 2040. Germany will support efforts to expand affordable, reliable and clean energy. This includes improving planning and strategy, strengthening infrastructure for decentralised energy…

17 Nov

Capricorn Group bids farewell to Swanepoel

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Capricorn Group Limited has announced the retirement of long-serving board member Johan Swanepoel, who stepped down as an independent non-executive director on 5 November 2025. The update was released through a notice on the Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX). Swanepoel served the group for more than 26 years, including five years as chairperson. The board praised his “exceptional leadership and vision,” saying he helped shape Capricorn Group into one of Namibia’s most respected financial institutions. Although leaving the group board, Swanepoel will continue as chairperson of Bank Windhoek Limited, a Capricorn subsidiary, allowing the company to draw on his…

17 Nov

Botswana gives green light to Curro’s N$7.2 billion takeover

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Curro Holdings has moved a step closer to going private after the Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority granted unconditional approval for the proposed buyout. The transaction, driven by Jannie Mouton Stigting, aims to acquire all issued Curro shares through a scheme of arrangement. Once completed, Curro will be delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Details of the deal were first shared with shareholders on 2 October 2025 in a circular outlining the suspensive conditions required for the takeover. While Botswana has now approved the transaction, it still awaits clearance from South Africa’s competition authorities. Curro, which jointly…

17 Nov

Standard Bank, NIFA equip MSMEs for trade competitiveness

Observer Money

Staff Writer Trade experts and policymakers met in Windhoek on Thursday to discuss ways to expand regional and continental market access for Namibian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The discussions took place during the Market Access and Trade Opportunity Evening, hosted by Standard Bank Namibia in partnership with the Namibia Investment and Finance Academy (NIFA). The event formed part of the Standard Bank Blue Growth Series, an initiative focused on SME growth, financial inclusion and sustainable entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs and MSMEs received insights on trade finance, logistics and practical strategies for entering new markets across borders. The head of commercial…

17 Nov

Koryx Copper finalises move to Luxembourg

Observer Money

Staff Writer Koryx Copper Inc. has completed its corporate move from British Columbia to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The continuation was carried out under section 308 of British Columbia’s Business Corporations Act, authorised by the Registrar of Companies and approved by shareholders at a special meeting on 15 October 2025. The company will now operate as Koryx Copper S.A., pending final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. The TSX-V has already given conditional approval for the transition. As part of the move, the company strengthened its board with two new independent directors, Cristina Lara and Tarik El Hanch. Lara…

14 Nov

NA blocks urgent bid to grant NNN oil regulatory powers

Main

Justicia Shipena The National Assembly has put on hold a proposal that seeks to shift key powers under the Petroleum Act from the minister of industries, mines and energy to the President. The amendment would give President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah authority to grant, renew, or revoke oil and gas exploration licences and production rights. The move was shelved after interim minister of industries, mines and energy Frans Kapofi asked the house on Wednesday to allow him to table a bill on it as urgent. The speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, would have had to adjust the order of the…