Blog – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

20 Apr

Sossusvlei: When access becomes a luxury

Editorial, Featured

Few places on earth capture the imagination quite like Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Rising from the ancient sands of the Namib Desert, these landscapes are not merely tourist attractions; they are living symbols of Namibia’s identity, resilience, and natural inheritance. For generations, they have represented an open invitation to Namibians to experience the profound beauty of their country, an accessible wilderness that belonged to all. That understanding is now being fundamentally altered. At the centre of the controversy is a shift in how access to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei is managed. Historically, visitors, both local and international, could enter the Namib-Naukluft Park,…

20 Apr

NaCC probes Ultimate Safaris over exclusive tourism agreements

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has launched a formal investigation into alleged anti-competitive conduct involving Ultimate Safaris (Pty) Ltd and three conservancies in the Brandberg area. The probe follows a complaint lodged on 26 September 2024 by mining claim holder Timoteus Mashuna. In a letter dated 14 April 2026, signed by acting chief executive officer Johannes Ashipala, the commission confirmed it has started an investigation under section 33 of the Competition Act. The investigation targets Ultimate Safaris, Doro !Nawas Conservancy, Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy and Sorris Sorris Conservancy. NaCC said it issued a cautionary notice on 18 December 2024.…

20 Apr

Shilunga says oil oversight under presidency builds trust

National News

Patience Makwele Presidential advisor and head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit Kornelia Shilunga says placing the upstream petroleum unit under the Presidency is meant to build public confidence that the oil and gas sector is managed with seriousness, integrity and transparency. Shilunga said the structure creates direct oversight and accountability. “By anchoring the unit in the presidency, there is a direct line of oversight and accountability. It is our hope that this measure enhances public confidence that the sector is being managed with the seriousness, integrity and transparency that it demands,” she said at a media training on the upstream…

20 Apr

Govt decision on James’ funeral sparks debate

National News

Allexer Namundjebo Mixed reactions have emerged over the government’s decision not to grant a state funeral to former member of parliament and former Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the issue is sensitive and complex. He said state and official funerals follow set rules and are not based only on positions held. “While the late James Uerikua served in important roles, including as governor and in a key parliamentary position, the final decision depends on set criteria and the discretion of the President,” he told the Windhoek Observer. Kamwanyah said public opinion is likely to differ. “Some…

20 Apr

Zambezi governor urges quick upgrade of Mpacha airport

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Zambezi governor Dorothy Kabula has called on the Ministry of Works and Transport to prioritise the development of Mpacha Airport. Kabula stated that the budget had allocated funds for the airport, but work had yet to commence. She said its location makes it suitable to be upgraded to an international airport. “This airport was budgeted, but up to now nothing has happened. This airport was supposed to cut the distance. Instead of one going to Windhoek to access the international airport, that can cut the distance,” she said during a debriefing on the government’s response to flooding in…

20 Apr

Namibia-China bilateral trade increases by 36.5%

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has concluded a weeklong working visit to China. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen economic ties and promote Namibia as an investment destination. Ashipala-Musavyi held talks and business forums in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Beijing. She met Chinese government officials, including ministers of commerce and foreign affairs, and engaged with potential investors. At roundtable events in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, Ashipala-Musavyi outlined trade and investment opportunities in Namibia. Chinese enterprises showed interest during the engagements. “Bilateral trade reached approximately 132.68 billion Chinese yuan (about N$342.3 billion) in 2025,” she…

20 Apr

Paladin lifts Langer Heinrich output forecast

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Paladin Energy Ltd has raised its production forecast for the Langer Heinrich Mine after reporting improved performance in the first nine months of the 2026 financial year. The company now expects full-year uranium oxide (U3O8) output to reach between 4.5 million and 4.8 million pounds, up from the previous forecast of 4 million to 4.4 million pounds. The updated outlook comes ahead of its March 2026 quarterly report due on 22 April. Paladin said production at the mine has increased as operations continue to ramp up. The improvement follows the mobilisation of mining equipment, better ore grades and…

20 Apr

Welwitschia fund grows to N$478m

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund has grown to about N$478.72 million by the end of February 2026. Since its establishment, the fund increased from USD 17.94 million (about N$323 million) to USD 30.09 million (about N$542 million). The growth is driven by investment performance over time. This development comes as the Bank of Namibia (BoN) took part in the 2026 Cirrus Investor Conference this week. The event, hosted by Cirrus Capital, brought together investors, policymakers and market participants to discuss economic trends and investment opportunities. Speaking at the conference, BoN deputy governor Leonie Dunn said the global economy…

20 Apr

Push towards oil production as Orange Basin activity accelerates

Observer Money

The 2026 Namibia International Energy Conference in Windhoek highlighted Namibia’s growing urgency to convert major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin into production, as government and industry leaders called for faster legal and institutional reforms to match rising upstream activity. Policymakers and energy executives stressed that regulatory readiness must keep pace with increased exploration, appraisal and development planning across deepwater assets. The reform agenda is focused on improving coordination, streamlining approvals and aligning the hydrocarbons sector with Namibia’s long-term development goals under Vision 2030. Speaking at the conference, Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni, CEO of RichAfrica Consultancy, said Namibia’s anticipated first oil…

20 Apr

Over 80% of livestock now processed locally

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) says the meat industry is retaining more value within the country as more livestock moves through formal processing systems. The union said about 84% of the livestock weight leaving farms in 2025 was slaughtered at local or export abattoirs. This is up from 52% in 2015. The NAU said the increase shows a shift toward local value addition. It said the industry is building and keeping value at scale through an export-focused value chain that draws livestock into formal processing. The NAU says the value chain covers processing, packaging and distribution. It supports…