Blog

Donatus sets out his vision for inclusive growth in the Erongo region

Donatus sets out his vision for inclusive growth in the Erongo region

Niël Terblanché Florian Donatus, the newly elected chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council (ERC), has vowed to pursue an agenda of accountability, inclusive growth and accelerated service delivery as he begins his tenure following a recent leadership transition. Speaking at a press conference in Swakopmund on Wednesday, Donatus acknowledged the turbulence of the past few weeks but affirmed that the council is now ready to move forward. “I’m humbled to be elected as the chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council,” he said while also expressing appreciation to his fellow councillors and staff for their confidence and professionalism during the transition.…
Read More
MTC set to open permanent service centre in Omuthiya

MTC set to open permanent service centre in Omuthiya

Niël Terblanché Residents of Omuthiya and neighbouring villages will soon no longer need to travel long distances for mobile network services, as MTC prepares to open its 37th Mobile Home in the country. For years, Omuthiya residents have been reliant on a mobile van that visits the town twice a week. With limited access to services, many were forced to make the 83-kilometre journey to Ondangwa or even further to Tsumeb, some 130 kilometres away, for assistance with SIM replacements, registrations, contract renewals, and other MTC-related services. MTC’s corporate communications practitioner, Erasmus Nekundi, confirmed that plans are well advanced to…
Read More
NIP upgrades laboratory network to improve diagnostic efficiency

NIP upgrades laboratory network to improve diagnostic efficiency

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) is in the process of modernising its national diagnostic infrastructure as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen laboratory services across all regions of the country. The NIP’s chief executive officer, Kapena Tjombonde, said in a statement on Wednesday that through its Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP), the institute is replacing outdated diagnostic tools with newer, more efficient technology to reduce turnaround times and improve access to life-saving tests, particularly in underserved areas. “This initiative forms a key component of NIP’s Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) 2022–2027, aimed at enhancing the quality and…
Read More
PPS members to share N$5.59bn

PPS members to share N$5.59bn

CHAMWE KAIRA  Pension fund PPS South Africa has said its members in Namibia should again be pleased with the profits that were generated for them. This year, the company allocated a record-high N5.59 billion in profit share to South African and Namibian members with qualifying life-risk products to their notional PPS profit-share accounts. This amount follows the previous record-high allocation of N5.46 billion in 2021. Additionally, the annual gross benefits paid were N$5.95 billion (2023: N$6.12 billion; due to lower exit claims payment). Together, these amounts totalled N$11.54 billion in 2024, compared to N$10.70 billion in 2023. “From a membership…
Read More
Green hydrogen plant reaching commissioning stage

Green hydrogen plant reaching commissioning stage

The Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, a joint venture between the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group and CMB.TECH is developing a green hydrogen production plant in the Erongo region. The Hydrogen Dune comprises hydrogen production, a refuelling station and the hydrogen academy.  Katrien Hennin of CMB.TECH gives an update in response to questions by Observer Money.  Observer Money (OM): Will the hydrogen refuelling that is expected to be operational be reserved for trucks under Cleanergy Solutions Namibia or are they for the whole Namibian market? Katrien Hennin (KH): The green hydrogen refuelling station expected to be operational mid 2025 will not be…
Read More
Standard Bank in position to fund oil projects

Standard Bank in position to fund oil projects

CHAMWE KAIRA  Simonis Storm Securities has said if exploration in the Orange Basin moves to large-scale production, Standard Bank Namibia has established relationships with key upstream players that should translate into mandates for project finance, transactional banking, and treasury services. The firm said this upside scenario could accelerate the loan book well beyond single-digit growth. In terms of renewable energy financing, Namibia’s push for wind and solar in remote areas intersects with growing private sector appetite for sustainable energy solutions. It said other banks are refining digital strategies but said Standard Bank Namibia Holdings’ synergy with the broader Standard Bank…
Read More
Andrada announces Uis exploration drilling results

Andrada announces Uis exploration drilling results

CHAMWE KAIRA  Andrada Mining Limited has announced initial drill results from 13 proximal pegmatites located within the Uis Tin Mine licence area (ML134) in Namibia’s Erongo Region. The company said the results reaffirm the scale and quality of mineralisation across the site and support its goal of expanding the production of tin, lithium, and tantalum—minerals critical to the global energy transition. These pegmatites are within a 3km radius from the existing processing plant at the Uis Tin Mine and constitute part of a swarm comprising approximately 180 mineralised pegmatites identified to date within the license area. The ongoing programme covering…
Read More
Air cargo key to supply chain resilience

Air cargo key to supply chain resilience

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) emphasized the vital role of air cargo in maintaining global supply chain resilience and called on governments and industry to remain focused on delivering the fundamental expectations of customers, safety and security, digitalisation and sustainability. “Whether supporting global trade, enabling e-commerce, or delivering vital humanitarian aid, the value of air cargo has never been clearer. To meet customer expectations and navigate an increasingly complex environment, the air cargo industry must continuously strengthen safety and security, fast track digitalization, and deliver on its sustainability commitments,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo at the…
Read More
Geopolitical risks raising concerns about financial stability

Geopolitical risks raising concerns about financial stability

Global geopolitical risks remain elevated, raising concerns about their potential impact on economic and financial stability. Shocks such as wars, diplomatic tensions, or terrorism can disrupt cross-border trade and investment. This can hurt asset prices, affect financial institutions, and curtail lending to the private sector, weighing on economic activity and posing a threat to financial stability. Such risks are challenging for investors to price due to their unique nature, rare occurrence, and uncertain duration and scope. This can lead to sharp market reactions when geopolitical shocks materialise.  As we show in a chapter of the latest Global Financial Stability Report,…
Read More
CRAN unveils NAM-CSIRT to combat cyber threats

CRAN unveils NAM-CSIRT to combat cyber threats

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) officially launched the Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) in Windhoek. This significant milestone reflects CRAN’s commitment to advancing Namibia’s cyber resilience and safeguarding the nation’s digital infrastructure from increasingly complex cyber threats. As Namibia embraces the digital age, the nation is presented with vast opportunities for economic development, innovation, and enhanced social connectivity. However, these benefits come with growing cybersecurity risks that demand immediate and coordinated responses. CRAN Board Chairperson, Tulimevava Mufeti, emphasised that cybercrime is a global issue that impacts individuals, businesses, and governments alike.  “Addressing these threats requires a…
Read More