Blog – Page 19 – Windhoek Observer

02 Apr

DBN funds new hospitals with N$1 billion

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has disbursed N$1 billion to support the development of healthcare infrastructure in Namibia. The funding forms part of the government's RoadMap initiative led by the Ministry of Health and Social Services and aligned with the medium-term expenditure framework. The programme supports national priorities under the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6). It is led by the Ministry of Finance, in partnership with the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services. DBN said it mobilised the financing to support the programme. The N$1 billion will fund the construction and…

02 Apr

International reserves dip to N$51.7bn in February

Observer Money

Staff Writer International reserves fell to N$51.7 billion at the end of February, according to the Bank of Namibia. The decline of 0.3% from January was driven by net outflows of South African rand and withdrawals of foreign currency by customers. Despite the drop, reserves remained adequate. They provided import cover of 3.3 months, or 3.7 months when excluding oil and gas-related imports. The reserves were also equal to about 9.8 times the currency in circulation, supporting the Namibian dollar’s peg to the South African rand and the country’s ability to meet short-term obligations. At the same time, banking sector…

02 Apr

Corporate bonds rise by N$449 million

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Corporate bonds listed on the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) increased by N$449 million at the end of 2025. The total stock of bonds issued by Namibian corporates rose from N$7.4 billion in 2024. The NSX lists approximately 95.7% of these bonds, while the JSE lists 4.3%. The increase was driven by new bond issuances and the maturity of existing bonds. Commercial banks issued the largest share of corporate bonds during the year, amounting to N$6.2 billion. Other corporations issued N$1.5 billion, while state-owned enterprises issued N$130 million. In October 2025, Namibia fully…

02 Apr

FlyNamibia launches Lüderitz flights in partnership with Shell

Observer Money

Staff Writer FlyNamibia has launched scheduled flights between Windhoek Eros Airport and Lüderitz in partnership with Shell Namibia Upstream B.V. The flights will operate from 2 April to 22 April 2026 to support increased travel demand in the region. The airline said the service is aimed at improving movement for residents, workers and business travellers during a period of high activity in Lüderitz. FlyNamibia chief executive officer Nerine Uys said the partnership supports access to the town. “FlyNamibia is proud to partner with Shell to deliver reliable connectivity to Lüderitz at a time when accessibility is critical for both the…

02 Apr

Property valuation changes may affect municipal bills

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The City of Windhoek has warned that changes in property valuations may affect municipal bills and could result in backdated charges if updates are not submitted on time. The city said property valuations are carried out to ensure accurate billing. A general valuation takes place every five years, while interim valuations are done when changes occur. Any change in property value may increase monthly municipal bills. If updates are delayed, charges may be applied from an earlier date. The city said charges affected include rates on land, property improvements and waste management fees. Several factors can trigger a…

02 Apr

Global turbulence demands smarter tools

Observer Money

Erastus Tshatumbu Namibia enters April facing a fuel price increase that is not domestic in origin, nor part of routine market adjustments. It is the direct consequence of a global shock. In March, the Iran conflict shut down traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel that moves roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil. When that artery closed, global supply tightened almost instantly. Brent crude jumped from about US$65 to around US$100 per barrel in a matter of weeks, a 54% surge that pushed energy-importing economies into defensive mode. Namibia is one of them. As a result, the latest…

02 Apr

Stadium construction virus must be vaccinated as early as possible, now!

Opinions

Kae Matundu Tjiparuro “Govt rejects N$54m per stadium proposal,” read a headline in one of the local English dailies on Monday just after the country’s 36th independence anniversary. Yours Truly Ideologically cannot but highly commend the Prime Minister for putting his feet down in this regard by rejecting the proposal. The N$54m is simply four or five times more than the amount which the government has budgeted for a stadium. Currently the government has only allocated for the initial building of only 28 stadia countrywide, two in each of the country’s 14 regions. Heaven knows how many and how long…

02 Apr

Namibia and the forgotten architecture of the pan-African revolution

Uncategorised

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) We have been taught to remember African liberation as if it happened in fragments: Namibia here, Algeria there, Egypt and Ghana somewhere in between. Clean national stories. Self-contained victories. But that is not how it was lived. Liberation was not a series of parallel struggles. It was a connected project, argued over, coordinated, and fought across borders. What made victories like Namibia's possible was not only courage within nations but also a continental infrastructure that supplied ideas, training, weapons, and, crucially, a shared understanding of the enemy. That infrastructure has…

01 Apr

Suppliers hoard fuel for profits …as panic buying grips fuel stations nationwide

Main, National News

Allexer Namundjembo Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse has ordered fuel wholesalers to stop withholding supply and to account for any delays in deliveries. The directive comes after fuel stations experienced long queues and shortages hours before prices went up. Amutse said the ministry launched an investigation after reports of delayed deliveries. Amuste also directed retailers to serve customers without discrimination and not to limit fuel sales to benefit from price increases. He warned that withholding fuel to sell later at higher prices undermines supply and must stop. Wholesalers must now provide written explanations for any reduced supply…

01 Apr

Osona developer fights Govt over roads

National News

Justicia Shipena Preferred Land Development Holdings (Pty) Ltd (PLDH) has taken the government to court challenging a decision over road planning that affects its Osona Village development near Okahandja. The matter is before the High Court in Windhoek, where the company is seeking to have a decision to proclaim two district roads with a 30-metre road reserve reviewed and set aside. PLDH says the decision is unlawful and goes against earlier agreements. The minister of works and transport, the roads board for Otjozondjupa South, the Roads Authority, the Municipal Council of Okahandja and Osona Property Management Company are respondents. Osona…