Windhoek Observer

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s fiscal position for the 2025/26 financial year shows growing pressure on revenue and rising debt, with limited room for policy adjustment in the short term. The government has revised its revenue forecast downward from about N$92.6 billion to N$89.4 billion after weaker-than-expected collections from major tax and non-tax sources.  By mid-year, revenue collections stood at about N$36.6 billion, or 41% of the revised target. This falls below the usual mid-year benchmark of around 50%, pointing to deeper revenue weakness. Transfers from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) remain volatile, making fiscal planning difficult. Mining revenues have also…

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has introduced a new pricing structure aimed at addressing high levels of risk aversion and limited financial participation in the country. Head of business and commercial banking at Standard Bank Namibia, Hellen Amupolo, said that although 78% of Namibians were financially included in 2017, many still avoid formal financial services.  She said 57.8% of adults avoid borrowing; nearly 70% remain uninsured due to affordability concerns and formal savings participation has fallen to 60%. Amupolo said these trends point to structural barriers that limit deeper participation in the financial system. She noted that Namibia has a…

Staff Writer Canadian gold producer B2Gold Corp, owner of the B2Gold mine in Namibia, has announced a leadership change. President and chief executive officer Clive Johnson will retire at the company’s annual general meeting on 4 June. He will also step down as a director. The board has appointed Mike Cinnamond, currently senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer, as the new president and CEO. Cinnamond will also join the board. Johnson has led B2Gold since it was founded in 2007. During his tenure, the company grew from a junior exploration firm into an international gold producer. It…

Staff Writer Bank Windhoek has appointed Deolinda Shikalepo as head of procurement, effective 1 January 2026. Shikalepo has more than ten years of experience in procurement. Her background includes contract management, compliance, supplier relationship management and tender administration. She has worked in financial services, manufacturing and fast-moving consumer goods. She progressed from operational procurement roles to senior leadership positions. In these roles, she oversaw high-value contracts, led tender processes and implemented cost-control measures. In her new position, Shikalepo will provide strategic direction and governance oversight for the bank’s procurement function.  She will manage the full procurement cycle, including sourcing, contracting,…