Blog

BoN says economic growth may fall short of expectations

BoN says economic growth may fall short of expectations

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia (BoN) says economic growth projections for 2025 and 2026 are under review and could be lower than earlier estimates due to slower domestic activity and global uncertainty. Speaking at the monetary policy announcement on Wednesday, Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta said real GDP growth is currently estimated at about 3% for 2025 and 3.8% for 2026. He said these figures may be revised downward. Domestic activity slowed in 2025. Agriculture, fishing, mining and manufacturing contracted during the first three quarters of the year. As a result, the growth outlook for 2025 is weaker…
Read More
Buy-a-Brick raises over N$27m for housing

Buy-a-Brick raises over N$27m for housing

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia’s Buy-a-Brick initiative has raised more than N$27 million since it started in 2015.  The funds have helped build over 740 homes for low-income families across the country. Through its community-driven model, the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia has facilitated the construction of more than 7 000 brick houses, improving living conditions for over 30 000 Namibians. Standard Bank strengthened its support for the Okalongo community through the 2026 Buy-a-Brick Community Outreach.  Working with the Shack Dwellers Federation, regional leaders and corporate partners such as Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Namibia, the bank continues to expand access to…
Read More
BHP boosts dividend after profit jump

BHP boosts dividend after profit jump

Staff Writer BHP Group Limited has reported higher earnings and revenue for the half year ended 31 December 2025 and increased its interim dividend. In results released on 17 February, the company said earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders rose to US$5.64 billion, up from US$4.42 billion in the same period in 2024.  Headline earnings increased to US$5.69 billion from US$4.38 billion a year earlier. Headline earnings per share rose by 30% to 112.0 US cents, from 86.3 US cents in the previous comparable period.  Basic earnings per share increased by 28% to 111.1 US cents, while diluted headline earnings per…
Read More
Grindrod profit more than doubles in 2025

Grindrod profit more than doubles in 2025

Staff Writer Grindrod Limited has reported a sharp rise in earnings for the year ended 31 December 2025, supported by once-off gains and improved performance in its core operations. The JSE-listed company, which operates in Walvis Bay, expects earnings to range between N$2.044 billion and N$2.094 billion. This compares to N$314 million in the previous financial year. Earnings per share are expected to be between 306.3 cents and 313.8 cents, up from 47.1 cents in the prior period. The increase includes once-off net profits of N$902.8 million from foreign currency translation reserves.  These gains followed the acquisition of the remaining…
Read More
Khomas population jumps 44% in 12 years

Khomas population jumps 44% in 12 years

Allexer Namundjembo  Khomas region’s population has risen to 494 605. This marks an increase of 44.6% between 2011 and 2023, according to the latest regional results of Namibia’s population and housing census released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). Presenting the findings, NSA statistician general Alex Shimuafeni said the 2023 census marked a shift in data collection. “This was Namibia’s first digital census with real-time, computer-aided data collection using handheld devices,” Shimuafeni said. He said the census remains central to public planning and governance.  “The census generates diverse data on demographic and socioeconomic information and plays an essential role in…
Read More
Swartbooi: ‘President’s oil plan well-meant but misguided’

Swartbooi: ‘President’s oil plan well-meant but misguided’

Justicia Shipena  Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi says he understands why President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s administration is gunning for a shift in oil powers as she is trying to find solutions for the oil sector. Debating the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill in Parliament, Swartbooi said the president is trying to confront serious concerns in the oil and energy sector. However he said the bill is misguided.  He said the challenges include trust, corruption, and what he described as "power and resource grabs” within the system. “There’s a problem there. It’s a problem of trust. There’s a problem…
Read More
Govt buying power can cut youth unemployment – EAN vice chair 

Govt buying power can cut youth unemployment – EAN vice chair 

Justicia Shipena  The vice chairperson of the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), Jesaya Hano-Oshike, said the government must use procurement as a tool to build domestic manufacturing capacity. Hano-Oshike said government spending can play a key role in supporting manufacturers and creating jobs. “Right now Namibia is sitting at 44% youth unemployment, so government procurement perhaps is one of those levers that we can use to really help build our economy. We need more local procurement by the government in the manufacturing sector. Maybe looking at the preference for local manufacturers,” he said. He said prioritising locally produced goods would…
Read More
OBSERVER COASTAL | Mining firm invests N$1m in youth businesses

OBSERVER COASTAL | Mining firm invests N$1m in youth businesses

Renthia Kaimbi Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine has invested N$1 million to support 85 young entrepreneurs in Swakopmund through a municipal youth development programme. The funding supports the Youth Entrepreneurial Development Initiative, led by the Swakopmund municipality.  The programme provides business equipment and structured support to help young people start or grow their enterprises. The first handover of equipment will take place today at the Swakopmund fire station.  The 85 selected beneficiaries will receive starter packs that include tools and equipment for trades, catering and retail businesses. The programme also includes compulsory training in business management, financial literacy and customer service. …
Read More
OBSERVER COASTAL | ‘Sabotage will not be tolerated’ – /Goagoses

OBSERVER COASTAL | ‘Sabotage will not be tolerated’ – /Goagoses

Renthia Kaimbi Erongo Governor Nathalia /Goagoses delivered a message of accountability and innovation, warning that internal sabotage and insubordination would no longer be tolerated as the region strives to reclaim its status as an economic powerhouse. Addressing a packed hall in the Swakopmund Municipality Chambers, the Governor used the annual staff meeting to outline a transformative vision for 2026, but not before issuing a rebuke to elements within the public service whom she accused of hindering progress. “The culture of ‘you found me here, and you will leave me here’, and sabotage is no longer going to be tolerated,” /Goagoses…
Read More

OBSERVER COASTAL | Walvis Bay to build two new fire stations

Emergency services in Walvis Bay will expand with two new fire stations planned for Tutaleni and Green Valley (Farm 37). The move aims to reduce response times in high-risk informal settlements. The Municipality of Walvis Bay confirmed that one station will be built at Farm 37, about 10 kilometres east of town. In Tutaleni, the municipality will convert an existing house at Erf 7220 into a satellite fire station. Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga said the municipal council has set aside N$1.9 million to start the projects. He said WesBank Transport will support the first phase through a donation. The…
Read More
No widgets found. Go to Widget page and add the widget in Offcanvas Sidebar Widget Area.