Blog – Windhoek Observer

12 Mar

AfDB plan aims to create 25 000 jobs in Namibia

Observer Money

Staff Writer The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has launched its Namibia country strategy paper for 2025–2030, with plans to support the creation of 25 000 jobs for young people and expand key infrastructure across the country. The strategy was launched in Windhoek this week and sets out priorities aimed at improving access to energy and water, strengthening skills development and supporting economic growth. Moono Mupotola, deputy director general for Southern Africa and country manager for Namibia at AfDB, said the strategy marks a new phase in the bank’s partnership with Namibia. “The launch of this country strategy paper marks…

12 Mar

‘Namibia at turning point in economic journey’ — Shafudah

Observer Money

Staff Writer The finance minister, Ericah Shafudah, says Namibia is at a turning point in its economic path and must work across sectors to drive development. Shafudah made the remarks at Standard Bank Namibia’s annual budget dialogue on Wednesday, where government, financial institutions and industry leaders discussed the 2026/27 national budget. She said the national budget should not be viewed only as a government document. “A national budget is not merely a government document but a national development instrument,” she said. Shafudah said its success depends on cooperation between governments, businesses, financial institutions and citizens. She said Namibia must use…

12 Mar

Civil servant wage increase may support household spending

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The recent increase in civil servant wages is expected to provide some support to household purchasing power and household credit demand in the near term, according to FNB Namibia economist Cheryl Emvula. “However, while these improvements may provide modest relief, they are unlikely to drive a substantial acceleration in household Private Sector Credit Extension (PSCE) growth. This is largely due to persistent structural constraints facing households such as sluggish income growth, elevated living costs, and limited affordability, pressures that remain particularly acute in the mortgage segment, which accounts for the largest share of household credit. As a result,…

12 Mar

Remgro sells additional FirstRand shares for nearly R4.9 billion

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Remgro Limited has sold additional shares in FirstRand Limited through on-market transactions, generating proceeds of about R4.88 billion. The South African investment holding company disposed of 51.97 million FirstRand shares between 2 February and 10 March 2026 at an average price of R93.87 per share. The sale forms part of Remgro’s process of reducing its remaining stake in the banking group. Remgro’s involvement with FirstRand began through its investment in RMB Holdings. In June 2020 the company unbundled its indirect interest in FirstRand through RMB Holdings but retained a direct stake of 3.92% in the bank. The company…

12 Mar

Mining enters 2026 on a strong footing

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s mining sector has entered 2026 with support from strong commodity prices for gold, copper, zinc and tin, as well as continued momentum in uranium production. The Chamber of Mines of Namibia said in its January and February mining update that higher commodity prices are strengthening export earnings and government revenue. The chamber said elevated gold prices and firm copper fundamentals are improving cash flow for mining companies. “At the same time, uranium remains strategically important amid sustained global interest in nuclear energy, positioning Namibia favourably within the global energy transition landscape. Stronger base metal prices, particularly zinc…

12 Mar

Namibia ranks 59th in global mining investment attractiveness

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia placed roughly in the middle of the global rankings in the Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2025 conducted by the Fraser Institute. The country’s overall investment attractiveness score was about 52.6, placing it 59th out of 84 jurisdictions assessed. The survey evaluates mining destinations worldwide based on mineral potential and policy attractiveness as perceived by mining executives. The results place Namibia in the middle of the global rankings. The survey notes that while the country has strong geological potential, policy concerns are affecting investor confidence. Mining executives who participated in the survey raised several issues related to…

12 Mar

Africa leads global aviation accident rates in 2025

Observer Money

Staff Writer Africa recorded the highest aviation accident rate among global regions in 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association’s latest annual safety report. The region recorded seven accidents during the year. The accident rate improved from 12.13 accidents per million sectors in 2024 to 7.86 in 2025. Despite the improvement, Africa still recorded the highest accident rate globally. The figure remains below the region’s five-year average of 9.37 accidents per million sectors. Fatality risk in the region increased from zero in 2024 to 2.19 in 2025. The most common accident types were runway excursions and incidents classified as…

11 Mar

Aupindi wants dividends paid in gold, uranium …as MPs call for reduced reliance on borrowing

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena Swapo member of parliament Tobie Aupindi has proposed that Namibia consider receiving dividends from its mineral resources in physical commodities such as gold, uranium and lithium instead of only cash payments. Aupindi made the proposal while contributing to the national budget debate in parliament on Tuesday. He said Namibia should explore building strategic commodity reserves as part of a new approach to managing national wealth. “I am calling for the commodity dividend model. Instead of the state receiving its dividends in Namibian dollars or United States dollars, we should explore taking dividends in physical commodities, be it gold,…

11 Mar

Miss Namibia entry sparks fairness debate

National News

Patience Makwele The Miss Namibia Organisation has called on the public to support contestants in the Miss Namibia 2026 competition. This followed criticism about contestant Albertina Haimbala, who served as a judge during the 2024 Miss Namibia competition and is now competing in the 2026 contest. In a media statement on Tuesday, the organisation said all contestants are subject to the same eligibility requirements and screening standards. The organisation said there are no rules preventing former judges, masters of ceremonies, experienced models or previous contestants with pageant experience from entering the competition if they meet the official entry requirements. “All…

11 Mar

Children struggle with anxiety due to social media

National News

Patience Makwele Psychologists say they are seeing more children struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, poor sleep and difficulty concentrating – problems they link to excessive social media use. Several mental health experts told the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday that the growing number of children spending hours on social media platforms is beginning to show clear psychological and developmental effects. Clinical psychologist Anastasia France said children under the age of 15 are particularly vulnerable because their brains are still developing. “At that stage of development, children are still forming their sense of identity and self-worth,” France said. “When they are constantly…