Windhoek Observer – Page 8 – Windhoek Observer

25 Feb

Outapi drainage plans stall over budget shortage

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Outapi mayor Victorina Neingo says stalled stormwater projects are holding the town back as drainage problems resurface with each rainy season. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Monday after heavy weekend rains, Neingo said the town has an approved stormwater master plan but lacks funds to implement it. “The Outapi Town Council has an approved stormwater master plan in place to systematically address stormwater drainage challenges within the town. However, implementation of the identified projects remains constrained due to budgetary limitations,” Neingo said. The recent rainfall led to temporary water accumulation in low-lying areas. Some buildings became difficult…

25 Feb

Experts warn sardine stocks need protection

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Government officials, scientists, industry leaders and community representatives gathered in Swakopmund last week to confront gaps in marine research and address growing pressure on the country’s ocean resources during the two-day Ocean in Focus Symposium. The two-day Ocean in Focus Symposium, held from 18 to 19 February, aimed to identify knowledge gaps and guide research, policy and investment in Namibia’s coastal and marine areas. The event was facilitated by the Namibia Nature Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform through the Namibia Islands and Marine Protected Areas Project (NIMPA+). Donor support came…

25 Feb

Salmon industry touted as economic boost

National News

Staff Writer The deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, Ruthy Masake, says Namibia must expand beyond traditional fishing and invest in large-scale aquaculture. She identified salmon farming as a new driver of industrial growth. She was speaking at the “Unlocking Namibia’s Salmon Industry: An Opportunity for Industrialisation” seminar at the Avani Hotel on Monday. Masake said the country needs to shift from harvest-based fishing to farming-based production of high-value species such as Atlantic salmon. She said this move would strengthen agro-processing and aquaculture value chains while supporting economic diversification. Masake noted that salmon ranks among the most…

25 Feb

Leadership by example. But health reform must start with the basics

Editorial

When Health Minister Esperance Luvindao told Parliament yesterday that public hospitals must be good enough for senior officials, she cut through years of polite avoidance. Her message was direct: if the state runs a public health system, those who govern the state should use it. That declaration deserves recognition. Namibia has lived with an uncomfortable duality in healthcare. The majority depend on public facilities that are chronically stretched. Meanwhile, a politically connected minority accesses private care through the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS). The result is a structural detachment between decision-makers and the daily experience of ordinary patients.…

25 Feb

Andrada secures N$48 million tin deal

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Tin producer Andrada Mining Limited has secured a N$48 million advance under an expanded exclusive offtake agreement with Thailand Smelting & Refining Co. Ltd (Thaisarco). Andrada announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Uis Tin Mining Company (Proprietary) Limited (UTMC), has extended its existing offtake agreement with Thaisarco, first signed in November 2023. Under the new terms, Thaisarco will advance US$3 million, about N$48 million, to UTMC. The advance is unsecured and interest-free. It is repayable at UTMC’s discretion, except in specific default situations. The funds are expected to be received this week. In return, Thaisarco has been granted…

25 Feb

Namibia eyes oil revenue windfall

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s offshore oil and gas discoveries are expected to shape investment expectations in 2026, but they are unlikely to bring immediate changes to the structure of the economy. Industry analysts describe the current period as one of positioning. They say policy clarity, infrastructure readiness and final commercial decisions will determine whether discoveries move to production. Between 2021 and 2025, more than 15 offshore exploration wells were drilled in Blocks 2913B and 2913A. Operators included TotalEnergies SE, Shell plc, Galp Energia SGPS S.A., Chevron Corporation and partners such as Rhino Resources Namibia and BW Kudu Limited. Despite multiple discoveries,…

25 Feb

Debt climbs to 60% of GDP

Observer Money

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…

25 Feb

Standard Bank moves to tackle risk aversion with pricing overhaul

Observer Money

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…

25 Feb

B2Gold founder to retire

Observer Money

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…

25 Feb

Bank Windhoek appoints Shikalepo as head of procurement

Observer Money

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,…