Blog – Page 81 – Windhoek Observer

15 Sep

Over 2 million voters register for regional and local authority elections

National News

Justicia Shipena Over 2.2 million Namibians are set to vote in the upcoming regional and local authority elections scheduled for 26 November 2025, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has revealed. The supplementary voter registration, conducted between 4 and 19 August was aimed at ensuring all eligible Namibian citizens with the opportunity to register to vote and participate in local governance. According to ECN, the provisional register for regional councils shows 1.67 million eligible voters, with 1.5 million confirmed. This represents a 90% national registration rate. For local authorities, 949 890 voters were eligible, and 745 429 were confirmed, giving…

15 Sep

EIF’s green industrial project proposal among global finalists

National News

Justicia Shipena The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia’s (EIF) proposal to establish a Green Industrial Zone is close to securing final approval. The project is being considered for €25 million (approximately N$625 million) in funding under the Mitigation Action Facility (MAF). The proposal, submitted in July 2025, has advanced to the final stage after being shortlisted among the top 20 from more than 500 global submissions. EIF spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the proposal underwent a virtual assessment in August, with a final board decision expected in October. If approved, the funding will drive low-carbon industrialisation, create green jobs, and strengthen…

15 Sep

Barloworld takeover gets NaCC blessing

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has unconditionally approved the takeover of Barloworld Limited’s operations in Namibia by Newco. “The parties therefore confirm that the standby offer condition relating to the receipt of approval from the Namibian Competition Commission has been fulfilled,” the company said. Barloworld and Newco announced the proposed deal on 28 February. Since then, the parties have been securing approvals from regulators across the region. On 26 August, the Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority informed the two companies that it had unconditionally approved the implementation of the Newco offer. “The parties therefore confirm that the standby…

15 Sep

Oryx Properties profit drops to N$90m

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Oryx Properties Limited profit for the year ended 30 June dropped to N$90 million compared to N$416 million last year. The company said reported profit, earnings per share, and headline earnings were hit mainly by the derecognition of deferred tax assets. This followed legislative changes that limit the carry-forward period for assessed losses to five years. “Although further amendments may be required on an annual basis, they are not expected to be material relative to the adjustments made in the current year. Had these legislative changes not occurred, the Group’s profit for the year, earnings per share, and…

15 Sep

FirstRand Namibia records N$1.9 billion profit

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira FirstRand Namibia reported a net profit after tax of N$1.9 billion for the year ended 30 June 2025, up 12.2% from N$1.7 billion in 2024. The group said the results were driven by customer growth, higher transaction volumes, and effective cost containment despite rising impairments. Return on equity improved to 28.6% from 27.8%. Net asset value per share rose to 2,676 cents from 2,329 cents. A dividend of 476.34 cents per share was declared, representing a 34.7% year-on-year increase. “We are pleased with our progress on the key drivers of shareholder value creation. Our performance reflects disciplined financial…

15 Sep

Capricorn pumped N$41.6m in social investments

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Capricorn Foundation has invested N$41.6 million in more than 100 corporate social responsibility projects since its establishment in 2020. The foundation is funded by Capricorn Group’s Namibian subsidiaries Bank Windhoek, Capricorn Asset Management, and Entrepo. “We look forward to making even more positive impact in the next five years and to also apply the experience of the past five years, to assist other NGO's to build capacity, including our subsidiary in Botswana, where we are in the process of establishing the Capricorn Foundation,” said Marlize Horn, executive officer of the Capricorn Foundation. The Capricorn Group released its…

15 Sep

Luanda to host infrastructure financing summit

Observer Money

Staff Writer The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Angolan government, will host Africa’s biggest infrastructure financing summit from 28 to 31 October 2025 in Luanda. The event follows the momentum of previous gatherings, including the 2023 Dakar Infrastructure Financing Summit. It forms part of a continental effort to unlock investments and partnerships in support of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 infrastructure goals under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). The summit comes at a time when Africa faces an annual infrastructure financing gap of more than US$100 billion…

15 Sep

Clarifying what a policy is and what it is not: The National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy

Featured, Opinions

Mutindi Lydia Jacobs As the Ministry of Industries Mines and Energy (MIME) continues it’s nationwide consultations on the draft National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy, a critical public debate has emerged. Some stakeholders have voiced concerns over the policy's perceived lack of teeth, specifically its absence of penalties and a concrete institutional framework. This criticism, while understandable, stems from a common misconception about the fundamental difference between a government policy and a law. Understanding this distinction is essential for anyone wishing to contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of Namibia's promising oil and gas sector. The Blueprint vs. The Building: What…

15 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | A silent emergency: burn-out among Namibia’s medical interns demands urgent action

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Namibia’s hospitals are quietly facing a crisis that could shape the future of our entire health system. The nation’s medical interns, young doctors in the most formative and vulnerable stage of their careers, are burning out. They are working marathon shifts that stretch far beyond reasonable limits, often without adequate compensation or structured mental-health support. This is not merely an unfortunate rite of passage; it is a dangerous pattern that threatens the interns themselves, the patients they serve, and the very pipeline of Namibian doctors we rely on to care for future generations. Internship is meant to be demanding. These…

12 Sep

YOUNG OBSERVER | Yellow September

Featured, Uncategorised

On 10 September every year, we recognise World Suicide Prevention Day, which is aimed at raising awareness, reducing stigma and promoting dialogue on the matter of suicide. Although not a consensus through an international organisation, for example, in most countries September is designated as Suicide Prevention Month; this goes beyond awareness to honour those whom we’ve lost to suicide and encourage others to simply hold on. A stark and shocking contrast, therefore, is that in a month where all that surrounds us is supposed to help or at least intended to do so, even if to a degree, Namibia has…