Blog – Windhoek Observer

15 Apr

Comply or pay: Mbandeka’s warning must not be ignored

Editorial, Featured

Namibia’s public institutions have been put on notice, and this time, the warning is not wrapped in bureaucratic niceties. It is blunt, urgent, and overdue. Festus Mbandeka has sounded the alarm: failure by state institutions to comply with existing laws is costing the government dearly, in courtrooms, in public funds, and in credibility. This is not a theoretical concern. It is a systemic problem that has quietly drained state resources and eroded public trust for years. What Mbandeka has done is simply to say out loud what many insiders already know, that too many government entities operate with a dangerous…

15 Apr

New CPBN rules may leave few qualified evaluators

Main, National News

Allexer Namundjebo Policy analysts say stricter qualification requirements introduced by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) could limit the pool of eligible experts. They raise concerns about how effective the reforms will be in improving procurement processes. The CPBN recently introduced new measures for appointing Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) members. These include mandatory qualifications recognised by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA), police clearance certificates, structured training, and competency assessments. According to CPBN spokesperson Johanna Kambala, the aim is to improve how public bids are evaluated. Kambala said the strengthened procedures are aimed at promoting integrity, fair dealing, transparency and…

15 Apr

Namibia, Angola sign N$941m power deal

National News

Chamwe Kaira Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) and Angola's Rede Nacional de Transporte de Electricidade have signed agreements for the Angola-Namibia Power Interconnector Project (ANNA), valued at N$941 million. The project is expected to be completed by 2029. The two utilities on Tuesday signed a joint development agreement and a power purchase agreement. These set out how the project will be built, managed and operated. The project was approved by Cabinet in February as part of national energy plans with funding of about N$4 billion allocated to support NamPower’s capital contribution. The funding will cover the engineering, procurement and construction of…

15 Apr

Kandumbu denies skipping suspended Katima CEO’s hearing

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Former Katima Mulilo Town Council administrator Marina Kandumbu has denied claims that she refused to testify in the disciplinary hearing of suspended chief executive officer Raphael Liswaniso. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, Kandumbu said the claims are false. “I was in Katima Mulilo from Monday and only returned to Windhoek last night (Monday). I had travelled there to testify at the hearing,” she said. She said she has no reason to avoid the process and will continue to cooperate. “I want to make it clear that I will never turn against the honourable minister. In any…

15 Apr

Govt cracks down on vaping

National News

Patience Makwele Namibia is moving to tighten laws on e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine products as part of efforts to strengthen tobacco control. The deputy minister of health, Susan Ndjaleka, said the government is reviewing the Tobacco Products Control Act to close gaps in regulation. She was speaking at the Africa Tobacco Control Core Partners Biannual Coordination meeting in Windhoek on Tuesday. “We are in the process of amending the Tobacco Product Control Act to address emerging tobacco products,” Ndjaleka said. She said Namibia is also working towards joining the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products to curb…

15 Apr

E-hailing operators want urgent meeting with Nekundi

National News

Allexer Namundjebo Small and medium enterprise (SMEs) operators in the e-hailing sector have asked works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi for an urgent meeting over delays in permit approvals. In a letter dated 10 April, seen by the Windhoek Observer, Yango partners said administrative delays are stopping compliant drivers from working. They said the problem is not refusal to follow the law but slow processes. “Systemic administrative delays in the permitting process are preventing compliant drivers from operating,” the letter states. Operators said many drivers submitted all required documents before the May deadline but are still waiting for approval. They…

15 Apr

NamRA surpasses target with N$81.1 billion revenue

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) collected N$81.1 billion in net revenue for the 2025/26 financial year, exceeding its target of N$79.1 billion. The agency reached 102.6% of its target by 31 March 2026. Gross revenue collections stood at N$93 billion. After refunds of N$11.9 billion, net revenue reached N$81.1 billion. Revenue was mainly driven by Southern African Customs Union receipts and value-added tax. SACU contributed 26.0% of total revenue, amounting to more than N$21.1 billion. VAT followed at 23.6% or N$19.1 billion. Pay-As-You-Earn tax contributed 22.9%, equal to N$18.6 billion. Corporate income tax accounted for 18.4% or N$14.9…

15 Apr

Toyota Tsusho signals joining rare earth project in Namibia

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Toyota Tsusho Corporation plans to join a rare earth exploration project in Namibia, marking a new step in the country’s mining sector. The project is led by Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, which has been working with Namibia Critical Metals Inc. since 2020 to explore the Lofdal area in the Kunene Region. The project has already confirmed the presence of heavy rare earth elements such as dysprosium and terbium. A preliminary feasibility study was completed earlier this year. Toyota Tsusho will now take part in the next phase of the project. The company will contribute to…

15 Apr

Local ports gain edge amid shipping disruptions

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Simonis Storm Securities says Namibia’s ports are gaining from global shipping disruptions linked to instability in the Middle East. Rising risks in the Persian Gulf and attacks on vessels in the Red Sea have forced ships to avoid the Suez Canal. Many vessels are now using the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing traffic along Namibia’s coast. This shift is already benefiting Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. Demand for ship refuelling has increased, with Flex Commodities launching bunkering services at both ports to serve rerouted vessels. Namibia is also gaining ground as South Africa’s bunkering volumes…

15 Apr

Africa Bitcoin share changes to affect NSX investors

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Africa Bitcoin Corporation Limited has confirmed changes to its share structure, affecting investors on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX). The company said all required resolutions to subdivide its ordinary shares and amend its memorandum of incorporation have been filed with South Africa’s Companies and Intellectual Property Commission. The changes are set to take effect later in April 2026. The restructuring will increase the number of authorised shares and split existing shares. This is aimed at improving trading and making shares more accessible to investors. Africa Bitcoin Corporation is dual-listed, with shares trading under the code “BAN” on the…