National News

Justicia Shipena  Vice president Lucia Witbooi says the availability of serviced industrial land in Ondangwa creates opportunities for businesses to expand production and investment. She called on businesses and development partners to support the 2026 Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition, adding that trade exhibitions help stimulate local economies. “Trade and industrial exhibitions are drivers of economic growth and help to accelerate the development of local economies,” she said during a fundraising gala dinner held in Ondangwa over the weekend ahead of the 2026 Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition. The exhibition will take place from 24 April to 2 May 2026.…

Justicia Shipena  The minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, says Namibia wants to attract investment from Russia to support industrial development, technology transfer and job creation. She said this during the Namibia–Russia Business Forum in Windhoek on Friday.  The forum provides a platform for engagement between governments, businesses, financial institutions and research organisations from both countries. “These engagements are designed to promote technology transfer, strengthen value chain development and facilitate strategic investment matchmaking between companies and institutions from both countries,” she said. The forum was held alongside the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic…

Allexer Namundjembo Namibia has formally intervened in the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The court confirmed that Namibia submitted a declaration of intervention last week under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute. The article allows states that are party to a treaty being interpreted in a case to take part in the proceedings. The case concerns the interpretation of the Genocide Convention. The United States, Hungary and Fiji also filed declarations of intervention on the same day. The ICJ said states that are party to a convention…

Justicia Shipena  Chamber of Mines of Namibia chief executive officer Veston Malango says a government-funded exploration fund would not be the right approach for the country's mining sector because exploration is a high-risk activity that should be financed by private investors. Speaking during a stakeholder engagement by the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and industry representatives on Thursday, Malango said exploration projects often fail and should not rely on public funds. “Every time I hear that we are establishing an exploration fund, I get depressed. It is a bad idea because exploration is high risk,” Malango said. He said government resources…

Allexer Namundjembo Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) researcher Frederico Links says preferential procurement rules in Namibia appear strong on paper but lack clear requirements for public disclosure. Links raised the concern in the latest Procurement Tracker Namibia bulletin released on Wednesday.  He said weak transparency, limited data and poor compliance could affect the government’s plan to prioritise local and historically disadvantaged suppliers. “While reporting, monitoring and assessment requirements are included in the code, it does not state that any part of this should or must be open to public scrutiny,” Links said. The government has signalled that preferential procurement…

Justicia Shipena  Namibia is ready to move from policy ambition to practical industrial implementation, the director general of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Kaire Mbuende, has said. He made the remarks during the industrial decarbonisation workshop, which examined opportunities under the Climate Investment Funds industrial decarbonisation programme. “Namibia now stands ready to move from policy ambition to industrial implementation. The Industrial Decarbonisation Programme offers a unique platform to build modern industries, strengthen infrastructure, create sustainable jobs, and accelerate inclusive economic growth,” Mbuende said. Mbuende said the programme gives Namibia access to up to US$250 million in concessional climate finance to…

Patience Makwele  Across Namibia, many young people are starting small side businesses as unemployment continues to limit formal job opportunities. From selling thrift clothing online to running small food stalls or offering services through social media, youth are finding ways to earn an income while searching for stable employment. Twenty-four-year-old Michael Amutenya runs a small phone repair service from his family home in Katutura. The business became his main source of income after months of unsuccessful job applications. “I applied for many jobs, but nothing came through,” he said. “At some point you stop waiting and start doing something for…

Young Namibians speak about the rising cost of relationships  Patience Makwele  Thirty-five-year-old Michael Amutenya pauses while typing a message on his phone before asking a woman he recently started seeing out on a date. “A simple date can easily cost N$400 or more if you include transport, food and drinks. So sometimes you think twice before asking someone out," he said.  For many young Namibians, dating now involves financial pressure, social expectations and influence from social media. Images shared on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok often show couples enjoying restaurant dinners, luxury gifts and holidays. While these posts reflect…