Blog – Page 20 – Windhoek Observer

05 Jan

Foreign reserves improve despite slow credit growth

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s official stock of international reserves increased slightly at the end of November 2025, supported mainly by revaluation gains, according to the Bank of Namibia’s (BoN) money and banking statistics. Month-on-month, official reserves rose by 1.2% to N$49.2 billion at the end of November. The increase was driven by favourable price movements on fixed-income securities and a modest rise in customer foreign currency placements by commercial banks. At this level, reserves were enough to cover an estimated 3.2 months of imports, or 3.6 months when oil and gas exploration-related imports are excluded. Liquidity conditions in the banking sector…

05 Jan

Economy still growing but more slowly

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s economy continues to grow, but at a slower pace. Gross domestic product expanded by 1.9% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, according to recent data. Growth has remained positive, but momentum has softened compared to 2024, reflecting uneven performance across sectors and continued pressure on domestic demand. Almandro Jansen, an economist at Simonis Storm Securities, said the third-quarter outcome points to a weaker underlying trend than first expected. This follows stronger growth of 2.8% in the first quarter and a softer performance in the second quarter. “Economic activity is still expanding, but the pace has clearly…

05 Jan

Travel insurance essential for safe and stress-free trips

Observer Money

Staff Writer Travel insurance has become a key part of trip planning, whether for a family holiday, a business journey or a short getaway. From medical emergencies to lost luggage and trip cancellations, experts say the right cover can prevent serious financial strain. Franco Feris, chief executive officer at Santam Namibia Limited, said travellers need to understand what their policies actually cover. “Travel insurance isn’t just paperwork for visa applications. It’s a legal contract between you and your insurer, designed to protect you when things don’t go according to plan,” he said. The level of cover depends on the trip.…

05 Jan

SA’s food price inflation at its lowest level since 2010

Observer Money

Wandile Sihlobo I know people often forget what they paid for groceries a few months ago, let alone last year. Things seem to be getting expensive every day, especially with our tough economic conditions in South Africa. Still, I think it is essential to highlight welcome data developments when we see some. We are ending this year with food price inflation, the rate at which prices increase, cooling off the levels we have not seen in years. For example, after slowing to 2.8% in October 2024, South Africa’s consumer food price inflation decelerated notably to 1.6% in November, the lowest…

05 Jan

BoN links diamond decline to production cuts

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s diamond, uranium, zinc and gold production showed mixed results in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting weak market conditions, operational challenges and shifting prices, according to the Bank of Namibia’s (BoN) third quarter 2025 quarterly bulletin. Diamond production fell both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter. Output reached 442 012 carats, a 3.5% drop from a year earlier and a 15.3% decline from the previous quarter. BoN said the fall followed deliberate production cuts, mainly at Debmarine Namibia, in response to weak global demand. Lower diamond prices, growing competition from lab-grown diamonds and high inventory levels weighed on the sector.…

19 Dec

Namibia targets 80% electricity self-sufficiency under energy compact

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Namibia has joined a continental drive to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030 with the launch of its National Energy Compact under the Mission 300 initiative on Thursday in Windhoek. Mission 300 is an Africa-wide effort aimed at expanding access to electricity, and Namibia’s participation centres on a National Energy Compact that sets out country-specific reforms, targets, and implementation plans aligned with the continental agenda. The Compact commits Namibia to coordinated actions to increase electricity connections, improve supply reliability, and strengthen energy security to support economic transformation. Industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse said the…

19 Dec

Brandberg area considered for UNESCO global Geopark

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia is moving forward with two separate conservation initiatives that could shape how natural landscapes are protected and managed, with the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) playing distinct roles in each process. One initiative focuses on a community-driven conservation corridor linking the Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Parks. The other initiative focusses on the proposed UNESCO Global Geopark surrounding the Brandberg area. The community corridor initiative follows a contract signed by the NNF in October 2025 to support implementation of the Legacy Landscape Fund (LLF), which is managed by WWF Namibia. The LLF committed funding of US$1 million per…

19 Dec

Namfisa says non-bank regulation has strengthened since Prowealth

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has acknowledged the Supreme Court judgement in the long-running Prowealth Asset Managers (PAM) matter. It said the case arises from events that occurred nearly two decades ago, at a time when the regulatory environment was far less developed. “The PAM matter relates to a period when Namfisa's regulatory and supervisory framework was still evolving. While we acknowledge that there were weaknesses at the time, we respect the findings of the Supreme Court,” said Victoria Raimond, manager for corporate communications and consumer education at Namfisa, in a press statement issued on Thursday.…

19 Dec

High Court orders partial asset freeze in Aquamarine matter

National News

Justicia Shipena The High Court has ordered that N$779 666 held in a bank account linked to the late managing director of the Aquamarine Fishing Company of Namibia, Manfred Uxamb, be frozen, pending the outcome of a civil case brought by the company. In a recent judgement, the court confirmed part of an earlier interim order that allows Aquamarine to secure funds it claims were misappropriated while Uxamb served as its managing director. The court rejected broader attempts to freeze additional funds and assets, finding that only one specific amount was supported by evidence. Aquamarine alleges that between 2018 and…

19 Dec

NIPDB backs leadership continuity as Uaandja exits

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) says its outgoing chief executive officer Nangula Uaandja has built a strong executive team to support institutional change. Uaandja is preparing to leave office at the end of December. Jessica Hauuanga has been appointed acting chief executive officer with effect from 1 January 2026. Hauuanga, who has served as Executive: Investor Experience since 2021, assumes the role following Uaandja’s departure when her contract ends on 31 December. In a statement issued on Thursday, the NIPDB board said it has full confidence in Hauuanga’s ability to lead the institution during this…