Blog

A new chapter in Namibia–Cuba solidarity: from liberation to life-saving medicines

When Namibia and Cuba announced that they are exploring the establishment of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Namibia, the news was more than a routine bilateral development. It was a powerful reminder that some friendships in international relations are not transactional but historic, principled and enduring. From the battlefields of southern Angola to today’s boardrooms and policy tables, the relationship between Namibia and Cuba has been forged in solidarity, sacrifice and shared purpose. This latest initiative is not merely about producing medicines; it is about continuing a legacy of cooperation that has helped shape Namibia’s very existence. Namibians do not…
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A Think Tank or just another structure?

A Think Tank or just another structure?

Reflections on Swapo’s newly appointed Think Tank Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) The recent appointment of the ruling party’s think tank has reignited a familiar and uncomfortable national conversation about governance, accountability, and policy effectiveness. This is not an abstract academic debate. It speaks directly to long-standing concerns about how ideas are translated into action and whether Namibia’s political system is equipped to confront its structural challenges with honesty and intellectual courage. These concerns were already articulated in our earlier analysis, “A Transformative Agenda for Namibia’s Invisible Workforce: From Informal to Formal.” The central proposition…
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Council can borrow money: meaning and implications 

Council can borrow money: meaning and implications 

Lazarus Kwedhi During the induction workshop for newly elected Local Authority Councillors, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Hon. Sankwasa James Sankwasa, raised concern about the inability of Local Authority Councils to provide affordable land and housing to residents and the general public. He cited their inability to generate sufficient revenue from their own sources or to find alternative funding sources, other than relying on central government. As such, Hon. Sankwasa informed and reminded councillors of their power and obligation to find other sources of funding for housing purposes, which may include land servicing. The minister’s statement finds its…
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Discovery is the easy part: why capital discipline determines frontier offshore success 

Discovery is the easy part: why capital discipline determines frontier offshore success 

Fernando Y. G. Sylvester  Frontier offshore discoveries have an outsized effect on perception. Markets react within hours. Governments issue statements. Partners congratulate one another. Value appears to be created instantly. Yet, in our experience, much of that value quietly erodes in the 24 to 36 months that follow.  Not because the geology was wrong. The hydrocarbons remain exactly where they were found. Value is lost because the decisions made after discovery are premature, misaligned, or based on assumptions that cannot survive contact with reality.  At Nautilus Mining & Energy, we have observed the same pattern across basins, operators, and decades.…
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DBN rolls out new five-year plan to boost development impact

DBN rolls out new five-year plan to boost development impact

Chamwe Kaira  The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has entered a period of strategic transition with the implementation of a new five-year integrated strategic business plan aimed at strengthening the institution’s resilience, adaptability and long-term development impact. Board chairperson Evangelina Nailenge said the strategy marks an important step in repositioning DBN as a future-focused development finance institution while reinforcing its role in supporting Namibia’s economic and social progress.  She said the plan is built on four strategic pillars: financial sustainability, people and culture, market positioning, and developmental effectiveness. Nailenge said DBN’s governance framework remained sound during the period under review,…
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Declining diamond revenues pose challenge to growth outlook

Declining diamond revenues pose challenge to growth outlook

Chamwe Kaira  The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has flagged several downside risks to the Namibian economy despite a positive growth outlook, according to its Integrated Annual Report for the 2024/25 financial year. The bank said one of the main risks is reduced diamond export earnings, driven by declining global diamond prices and growing competition from lab-grown alternatives.  It also warned that possible trade disruptions linked to rising protectionist policies, together with inflationary pressures caused by ongoing global conflicts, continue to increase economic uncertainty. Fiscal pressures remain a concern, with declining revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and…
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New mining fleet set to boost output at Langer Heinrich 

New mining fleet set to boost output at Langer Heinrich 

Chamwe Kaira  Mining activities at Langer Heinrich Mine continued to ramp up during the quarter ended 31 December 2025, with drilling, blasting, and load-and-haul operations focused on the G and F pits, according to Paladin Energy.  Total material mined reached 5.53 million tonnes, up from the previous quarter, resulting in higher volumes of mined ore and low-grade ore added to stockpiles. The remaining mining fleet arrived at the port of Walvis Bay during the quarter and is scheduled for delivery to the mine by the end of January, with commissioning expected in the March quarter. Crusher throughput reached 1.21 million…
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Women and wealth – beyond the slogans

Women and wealth – beyond the slogans

Veruscka Gertze We talk a lot about empowering women with money, yet real progress happens when we move past slogans and into structure. The financial system was not designed with women’s life patterns in mind. Career breaks for caregiving, pay gaps that compound over time, longer life expectancy and higher odds of outliving a partner all shape the journey. If we ignore these realities, the advice sounds hollow. The answer is practical and personal. Start with income resilience. Build a small emergency fund that sits between you and the unexpected. It gives you choices when life shifts. Next, automate contributions…
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Koryx Copper closes funding round for Haib project

Koryx Copper closes funding round for Haib project

Chamwe Kaira  Koryx Copper Inc. has closed a C$46 million (about N$543 million) bought-deal private placement, issuing 18.77 million common shares at C$2.45 per share.  The offering was led by Stifel Canada with a syndicate that included Beacon Securities, Haywood Securities, Research Capital, Red Cloud Securities, Canaccord Genuity and BMO Capital Markets.  The company said the offering was oversubscribed due to strong demand from international investors. Koryx also completed a concurrent Namibian non-brokered private placement of 2 million shares at the same price, raising C$5 million (about N$60 million).  The Namibian placement targeted institutional and retail investors and is aimed…
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ReconAfrica raises N$431 million for Namibia, Gabon projects 

ReconAfrica raises N$431 million for Namibia, Gabon projects 

Chamwe Kaira  Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. has raised C$36.8 million (about N$431 million) through a public share offering to fund its oil and gas activities in Namibia and Gabon. The offering was led by Research Capital Corporation, with participation from Canaccord Genuity Corp and Haywood Securities ReconAfrica sold 38.7 million units at C$0.95 each.  Each unit consists of one common share and half a warrant, giving holders the option to purchase additional shares at a later date. The company said the funds will support operations across its portfolio. In Namibia, the proceeds will be used to test and install production…
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