Blog – Windhoek Observer

10 Mar

Municipal debt crisis demands urgent reform

Editorial

The growing debt crisis between Namibia’s local authorities and NamWater is no longer merely an administrative problem. It has become a systemic governance failure that threatens essential public services, undermines financial accountability and ultimately burdens the taxpayer. The situation unfolding in Rehoboth is a case in point. The Rehoboth Town Council reportedly owes NamWater between N$100 million and N$150 million. The magnitude of this debt has placed the town at risk of having its bulk water supply suspended, forcing authorities to urge residents to use water sparingly while negotiations continue. At the same time, Mayor Jacky Khariseb has warned institutions…

10 Mar

Rising oil prices may push up inflation in Namibia

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira A rise in global oil prices caused by geopolitical tensions may increase pressure on fuel prices and inflation in Namibia in the coming months. An analysis by Simonis Storm Research said the increase in oil prices could also affect interest rate expectations in the region. Namibia imports all of its oil. This means changes in global crude prices quickly affect the domestic economy. Over the past ten days, the price of Brent crude oil has increased by more than US$30 per barrel. Analysts say this increase will likely feed into local fuel prices. The report said higher oil…

10 Mar

Namibia among top destinations for South African maize

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia remains one of the main destinations for South African maize exports, although overall export activity from South Africa has slowed as the marketing year moves toward its end in April 2026. Agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo said South Africa exported 39,584 tonnes of maize in the past week. About 14% of these shipments were sent to Namibia. Zimbabwe received the largest share of the exports at 52%. Botswana followed with 15%, while the remaining shipments went to other markets in the Southern African region. Despite these shipments, export volumes remain lower than expected for the season. South Africa’s…

10 Mar

Namibia participates in SADC energy discussions

Observer Money

Staff Writer A Namibian delegation joined regional leaders, energy experts and investors at the SADC Sustainable Energy Week 2026 held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The event was organised by the Southern African Development Community and brought together more than 800 participants. These included ministers, regulators, development finance institutions, private sector representatives and civil society organisations. The conference was held under the theme “Driving Regional Economic Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency". Namibia’s delegation was led by Moses Pakote, executive director of the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy. The delegation included officials and experts from government, the finance sector,…

10 Mar

FNB Namibia wins foreign exchange banking award

Observer Money

Staff Writer FNB Namibia has been named the Best Foreign Exchange Bank in Namibia in Global Finance magazine’s 26th Annual World’s Best Foreign Exchange Banks awards. The recognition forms part of the Gordon Platt Foreign Exchange Awards 2026, which honours banks for their performance in foreign exchange markets. Global Finance’s annual awards programme covers 87 countries, territories and districts, seven global regions and several global categories. The programme recognises institutions that perform well in foreign exchange services. Ian Erlank, head of global markets at RMB Namibia, said the award reflects the group’s work in foreign exchange services. “This award reflects…

10 Mar

Namibia commits to support women in aviation

Observer Money

Staff Writer Namibia has reaffirmed its commitment to support women in aviation during the Women in Aviation Namibia summit held in Windhoek. The event brought together participants from government, industry, academia and civil society to discuss ways to increase women’s participation in the aviation sector. In a statement delivered by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia will continue aligning national policies with regional and international frameworks that promote gender equality. “We will continue aligning national policies with regional and international frameworks promoting gender equality, including our obligations under SADC and the African Union,” she said. The president…

10 Mar

Women entrepreneurs to drive Namibia’s economic future

Observer Money, Opinions

Hellen Amupolo Across the world, women are reshaping economies. According to global entrepreneurship data, women started almost half of all new businesses in 2024, marking a 69% rise since 2019. Sub-Saharan Africa now holds the highest female entrepreneurial activity rate globally at 26%, according to the Harvard University Centre for African Studies. This surge reflects extraordinary ambition, even as women continue to face systemic barriers. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, women remain 47% more likely than men to close a business due to family or personal pressures, and they continue to encounter challenges accessing finance and formal market networks.…

10 Mar

Workplace burnout: The silent weakening of productivity and morale

Opinions

Victoria Shekutamba Burnout is often described as a personal struggle and portrayed as an employee feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope with workplace demands. However, burnout is not merely an individual issue. It is an organisational risk with significant long-term consequences for performance, morale, and institutional sustainability. In many workplaces across Namibia, burnout does not always present obvious symptoms. Employees continue to report for duty, meet deadlines, and attend meetings. On the surface, operations appear stable and functional. Yet beneath this apparent stability, energy levels may be declining, engagement may be weakening, and cognitive sharpness may be gradually diminishing. It…

10 Mar

War is the sport of the great empires, diplomacy is the talk show of small states

Opinions

Lazarus Kwedhi As conventional wisdom dictates, “oshilongo mpa oosa, mpa ondigolo” and “gumwe otati sa, gumwe otati kalako", meaning that one part of the country is mourning while another part is celebrating. One person wants you dead while another wants you alive. In light of this conventional wisdom, the USA–Israel coordinated military strike against the Islamic Republic of Iran that reportedly killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other national and military leaders has ignited mixed feelings among Iranians, in Middle Eastern countries, and around the world at large. Anti-Islamic Republic government supporters are seen supporting the USA–Israel…

09 Mar

Paragon eyes strategic stake in Rössing Uranium: A milestone for Namibian investment

Main, National News

Staff Writer Paragon Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd has formally expressed interest in acquiring the 10.2% equity stake in Rössing Uranium Limited currently held by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), a move analysts say marks a significant milestone for the company and for Namibia’s growing role in strategic mineral ownership. The IDC, one of the founding shareholders of Rössing Uranium since the 1970s, recently issued a call for expressions of interest (EOI) from potential buyers for its 10.2% equity stake. According to the IDC, the sale is part of its normal investment cycle, having reached its investment horizon…