Windhoek Observer – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

13 Apr

Fuel price shock set to reverse transport deflation

Observer Money

Staff Writer Namibia’s transport prices fell in March 2026, but this trend is expected to reverse after a fuel price increase in April. The transport category, which makes up 14.3% of the consumer price index, recorded a decline of 1.7% year-on-year in March. This is compared to a 2.6% increase in March last year. Simonis Storm Securities said the decline reduced overall inflation by 0.3 percentage points. The drop was driven by lower costs in operating personal transport. These costs fell by 3.3% year-on-year. Fuel prices remained unchanged in March at N$19.58 per litre for petrol and N$19.63 for diesel…

13 Apr

Namibia positioned as key focus in TotalEnergies’ African pipeline

Observer Money

Namibia is emerging as a central focus in TotalEnergies’ expanding African project pipeline, with the company targeting a final investment decision on its Venus oil discovery by the fourth quarter of 2026. The development, located offshore in Namibia’s Orange Basin, is considered one of the most closely watched deepwater oil projects globally and could significantly shape the country’s future oil and gas sector if approved. The update comes as TotalEnergies’ Senior Vice President for Africa, Mike Sangster, prepares to speak at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris on April 22–23. The forum is expected to highlight the company’s…

13 Apr

Simonis Storm projects slower GDP growth for Namibia

Observer Money

Staff Writer Simonis Storm Securities projects Namibia’s real GDP growth at about 2.3% in 2026, slightly below government estimates. The firm said recent developments such as stability in the mining sector, infrastructure spending and improving private sector sentiment after the eurobond repayment are expected to support growth over time. “This disconnect is in the previous good developments that have happened, like mining sector stabilisation (uranium and gold), infrastructure spending multipliers and improving private sector sentiment following the Eurobond retirement; the momentum is building and will filter through in the next year or two,” the firm said. Simonis said a stronger…

10 Apr

Govt blows N$13m on study for commuter rail

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena The government has spent over N$13 million on early-stage commuter rail plans linking Windhoek to Katutura and Rehoboth. Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi said feasibility studies for the two routes are underway. He said the study so far stands at 30%. “The consultancy services project for the feasibility study on commuter rail for two sections – Windhoek–Rehoboth and Windhoek–Katutura – within the Khomas and Hardap Regions is progressing well at 30%. A total of N$13 million has been spent so far,” Nekundi said. The commuter rail project was first presented to investors at the Invest in Namibia…

10 Apr

Swapo delays filling vacant NA seat

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Swapo says it is not in a hurry to fill the National Assembly seat left by its late member James Uerikua. The party said it is still in mourning. Swapo party spokesperson Hilma Nicanor told the Windhoek Observer this week that it would be inappropriate to prioritise succession discussions at this stage, adding that the focus remains on honouring Uerikua. “I feel this isn’t a matter of urgency, and as such it would be advisable that you give the Party that chance to mourn and give a befitting send-off to our departed comrade. Let’s wait for the appropriate…

10 Apr

Russian crew stuck on Namibian vessel

National News

Renthia Kaimbi At least 15 foreign crew members, mostly Russian nationals, say they have been stuck at sea for months on the Venus 1 fishing vessel. The crew shared a video on social media, asserting their inability to leave the vessel and the confiscation of their passports. In the video, they appealed to the Russian Embassy in Namibia for help. “We have been hostages of the current situation for five months: the ship-owner Hodago Fishing, which issued the employment contracts, actually lied to us,” read a loose translation of the video. The claims have raised concern about the welfare of…

10 Apr

Salt Oncology takes over Namibian Oncology Centre

National News

Staff Writer The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has approved the acquisition of the Namibian Oncology Centre by Salt Oncology Holdings without conditions. Salt Oncology Holdings will take over 100% of the shares in the Namibian Oncology Centre. The acquiring group includes Salt Equity, FISEA and Jan Bosch Investment Limited. Salt Equity is managed by Salt Capital GP Ltd and focuses on investing in businesses across the Southern African Development Community. FISEA is controlled by Agence Française de Développement and supports job creation and economic growth in Africa. Jan Bosch Investment Limited invests in mid-sized companies across the continent. In Namibia,…

10 Apr

The price of appearances: What are we becoming?

Editorial

There was a time in our society when life’s most important milestones were marked with dignity, simplicity, and community spirit. Weddings were celebrations of union, not exhibitions of wealth. Funerals were moments of mourning and remembrance, not stages for social competition. Graduation ceremonies were symbols of achievement, not financial burdens. Today, however, something has gone terribly wrong. We are becoming a society obsessed with appearances, one that increasingly measures worth through spectacle rather than substance. Nowhere is this more evident than in the rising and often absurd costs associated with weddings, funerals and, more recently, graduations. What should be deeply…

10 Apr

Trade balance balloons to N$5.2 billion deficit

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia recorded a trade deficit of N$5.2 billion in February 2026, reversing the N$198 million surplus recorded in January, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) statistician general and chief executive officer Alex Shimuafeni. The deficit also widened compared to February 2025, when the country recorded a shortfall of N$2.1 billion. South Africa remained Namibia’s largest trading partner for both exports and imports. Shimuafeni said exports were driven by mining products, including non-monetary gold, diamonds, petroleum oils and ores and concentrates of base metals. He said fish was the only non-mineral product among the top five exports. Re-exports…

10 Apr

Govt trains 98 youth for rail sector

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says work to upgrade and maintain railway infrastructure across Namibia is ongoing, alongside efforts to build skills in the transport sector. She told lawmakers on Wednesday that 98 young people have been trained in railway maintenance as part of efforts to improve the country’s rail system. Nandi-Ndaitwah said procurement is underway for key projects, including the Trans-Zambezi railway and the Ondangwa–Oshakati Northern railway extension phase three. The Trans-Kalahari Railway is at the feasibility study stage. The government has also added capacity in the sector. According to her, a total of 137 new recruits and 57…