Blog – Windhoek Observer

13 Apr

Why oil & gas conferences still matter – Even in a turbulent market

Energy, Opinions

Fernando Y. G. Sylvester,CEO, Lamda Energy This year has been a stark reminder that energy markets are unpredictable, volatile, and deeply interconnected with geopolitics, macroeconomics, and human behaviour. As I prepare to moderate two panels at the Namibian International Energy Conference (NIEC2026) here in Windhoek, I keep hearing a familiar question: Why do oil and gas conferences still matter? In an era of digital communication, instant deal-making tools, and Zoom rooms everywhere, are we really still gaining value by gathering in person? The short answer is yes. But the long answer, the one shaped by 17 years working across the…

13 Apr

TURNING POINT | Cape Fria and the crisis of trust: Why government must reset its relationship with Namibian entrepreneurs

Featured, Opinions

The renewed national conversation around the proposed Cape Fria harbour development is both timely and necessary. For decades, Cape Fria has occupied a near-mythical space in Namibia’s development imagination, a strategic deep-water port on our northern coastline that could unlock regional trade, stimulate industrialisation, and rebalance economic activity away from the traditional Walvis Bay–centric axis. From a purely academic standpoint, the logic is compelling. Namibia sits at the crossroads of southern Africa, with direct access to landlocked economies such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A well-executed harbour at Cape Fria would not only complement…

13 Apr

NNN pushes to reserve land for residents…developers to be shut out of serviced plots

Main, National News

Patience Makwele President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced a policy shift that will stop municipalities from allocating serviced land to private developers and instead prioritise individuals. Speaking in parliament during her recent state of the nation address (Sona), she said the government will redirect serviced land to ordinary Namibians. “What we have decided now, and what will be in our policy, is that we should no longer allow municipalities to give serviced land to the private sector,” she said. “The private sector should be given virgin land, and the land that we are servicing as a government must be given directly…

13 Apr

Zambezi farmers scramble to save crops from floods

National News

Patience Makwele Farmers in the Zambezi region are rushing to harvest crops as floodwaters spread across fields. They say government support has not reached them in time. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has deployed tractors to move harvested crops to higher ground in areas such as Kabbe South, Kabbe North and Sibbinda. The ministry's deputy director of public relations and spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the intervention has helped 14 farmers so far, with more than 50 tonnes of crops moved. “We have loaded about 75 tonnes of maize so far,” Muyunda said. He said the operation…

13 Apr

Govt open to Cape Fria project, but with conditions

National News

Allexer Namundjembo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the government remains open to the Cape Fria project, but only if credible investors are secured. She made the remarks while responding to a question from National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) member of parliament Vetoruhe Kandovazu during her recent state of the nation address (Sona). “I would like to see the development of a smart city during my time as president, but when you look at some of these investors, they are questionable,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the idea of developing Cape Fria dates back to the era of the then president Sam Nujoma. …

13 Apr

Kauandenge questions why Uerikua was never made minister

National News

Staff Writer Political considerations and internal decisions prevented the late former member of parliament James Uerikua from being appointed as a Cabinet minister, according to Association of Localised Interests president Josef Kauandenge. Kauandenge questioned why Uerikua was never elevated to Cabinet despite being widely praised after his death. “If late Hon James was such an exceptional being, intelligent and gifted like they are praising him now, what then prevented the appointing authority to bring him into the fold of Cabinet as a full Minister,” he said. Uerikua and his son died in a car accident during the Easter weekend between…

13 Apr

Youth leader raises alarm over jobless trainees

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Youth leaders say the latest youth and sport budget must deliver real jobs and make training programmes more useful. Sean Mapowe, a youth leader from Okatope village in Onyaanya Constituency, said he hopes funding for the National Youth Service (NYS) will improve the quality of training and lead to jobs. “We have more people who went to study there; some of them studied horticulture and other courses, but they have never had any job offers due to their qualifications they obtained there,” he said. Mapowe said the government should make use of the skills gained through training programmes.…

13 Apr

When the waters rise: The eternal struggle at Lake Liambezi

Editorial

Each year, as the waters begin their slow and then sudden advance across the plains of the Zambezi Region, a familiar and painful ritual unfolds along the edges of Lake Liambezi. It is not a spectacle for tourists, nor a seasonal curiosity. It is a desperate race against time. Farmers, many of whom have worked these fertile floodplains for generations, scramble to harvest maize, sorghum, and other crops before the rising floodwaters swallow their fields whole. This is not a new story. It is a recurring chapter in the lives of communities who exist in a delicate balance with nature,…

13 Apr

Walvis Bay facilitated exports worth N$2.1 billion in February

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Walvis Bay handled exports worth N$2.1 billion in February, making it the country’s leading export point. Other key export routes included Eros Airport, which facilitated goods worth N$1.7 billion, and the Katima Mulilo border post at N$1.2 billion. On the import side, Walvis Bay remained the main entry point, handling goods valued at N$3.9 billion. Ariamsvlei followed with N$2.7 billion, while the Trans Kalahari border post handled N$1.8 billion. Namibia’s trade with the African continent showed higher imports than exports. The country exported goods worth N$4.3 billion to Africa and imported goods worth N$5.6 billion, resulting in a…

13 Apr

Nicholas Mukasa appointed BoN deputy governor

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has welcomed the appointment of Nicholas Mukasa as its second deputy governor, effective 1 May 2026. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made the appointment in line with the Constitution and the Bank of Namibia Act. Mukasa will support the central bank's governor Ebson Uanguta in guiding the bank’s strategy and reform plans. His role includes strengthening the bank’s ability to respond to changes in the economy, including the shift toward digital financial services and developments in sectors such as energy. Mukasa has nearly 20 years of experience in financial markets, investment management and risk analysis.…