Windhoek Observer

Chamwe Kaira An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team has called for stronger fiscal discipline and faster reforms to support Namibia’s economic recovery. The delegation, led by Xiangming Li, visited Windhoek from 16 to 20 March 2026 for its Article IV consultation. The IMF said further fiscal adjustment is needed to reduce public debt. It called for tighter control of spending, especially on recurrent costs, and better revenue collection. It also urged the government to contain the public wage bill through civil service reforms and to implement changes to the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme to reduce costs. The IMF…

Chamwe Kaira The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has confirmed that retirement fund lump-sum withdrawal rules will remain unchanged during the initial rollout of the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (Fima). Namfisa made the clarification after an engagement with retirement fund stakeholders on 23 March.  The meeting included fund members, officers and organised labour and focused on concerns about the new law. In a notice issued after the meeting, the regulator said current rules will stay in place. Members of pension funds, retirement annuity funds and preservation funds can still withdraw up to one-third of their benefits as a…

Staff Writer  Brand Africa has announced the launch of the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100), a new initiative recognising the 100 most impactful marketing, brand and reputation leaders shaping Africa’s global narrative, identity and economic progress. Namibia is represented on the list by marketing executive Tim Ekandjo, alongside a diverse group of leaders from across Southern Africa. The initiative is being rolled out in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD and the African Media Agency. The full list, along with detailed analysis, will be published in the April 2026 edition of African Business and across partner platforms. The ACMO100 builds…

Staff Writer FirstRand has announced changes to its banking structure, including the appointment of Lytania Johnson as chief executive officer of First National Bank. The changes form part of a restructuring aimed at simplifying the bank’s customer model. FNB has operated with separate retail and commercial segments, each with several subsegments.  The group said the size of these divisions now requires a simpler structure. Under the new structure, retail and commercial segments will be merged into a single retail and business banking division.  The unit will serve entry-level to middle-income customers and small and medium-sized businesses. Johnson, who leads the…