National News

Patience Makwele Oil industry executives have warned that Namibia faces a defining test as the country moves closer to oil production, arguing that discoveries and foreign investment alone will mean little unless the sector translates into jobs, skills and economic opportunities for ordinary Namibians. The warnings were raised at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) headquarters in Windhoek on Tuesday during the launch of the fourth Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, where organisers unveiled the theme, “From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians.” According to the organisers, the conference’s theme signals a decisive shift…

Allexer Namundjembo The ministry of industries, mines and energy has announced plans to remove the fuel premium currently paid by consumers, saying the move will help lower fuel costs while ensuring a stable supply of petroleum products in Namibia. In a ministerial statement delivered on 10 June, minister Modestus Amutse said the premium, which has been charged over and above the Basic Fuel Price for the past four years, was introduced because fuel wholesalers argued they could not secure fuel at the regulated price due to the country’s relatively small import volumes. Amutse said the Basic Fuel Price already includes…

Allexer Namundjembo The City of Windhoek’s newly launched People-Centred Smart City Strategy (2026–2036) has drawn mixed reactions from community activists, with some welcoming the vision for technological transformation while others question whether the municipality is ready to pursue ambitious smart city projects amid persistent service delivery challenges. The strategy, officially handed over on Monday in partnership with UN-Habitat and the United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities, seeks to guide Windhoek’s development over the next decade through digital innovation, improved connectivity, modernised transport systems, and data-driven governance. The announcement, however, has sparked debate among community activists, particularly regarding the city’s…

Patience Makwele The government’s decision to award a three-month fuel supply arrangement worth an estimated N$7.2 billion to international energy trader Vitol has intensified scrutiny of governance at state-owned oil company Namcor, which remains without a substantive managing director months after applications for the top position closed. The arrangement has reignited questions over whether prolonged leadership uncertainty at Namibia’s national oil company may have affected perceptions of its ability to defend its strategic position in the country’s fuel supply chain. The concerns emerge amid claims that Namcor submitted a cheaper proposal than Vitol, with critics arguing that the decision to…

Allexer Namundjembo Political analysts say the Landless People's Movement (LPM) needs stronger grassroots structures after its community meeting in Keetmanshoop was disrupted on Saturday. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah described the incident as “unfortunate and disappointing”. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Monday, he said political disagreements should be resolved through dialogue and internal democratic processes, not through actions that create division and instability. “What is even more concerning is that leaders and supporters appear to be spending more time fighting each other than building the party and advancing the interests of the landless people whom the party was created to…

Renthia Kaimbi The International Labour Organization on Friday adopted a landmark Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy, establishing a global framework to protect digital platform workers while ensuring fair wages, social protection, and respect for fundamental labour rights. On the same day, Namibia cemented its role as a continental leader by signing the Host Country Agreement for the 15th African Regional Meeting. The convention, passed at the 114th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland represents the first binding international treaty specifically addressing the rapidly growing platform economy, including ride-hailing, delivery, and freelance digital work. In…

Allexer Namundjembo Environmental health practitioners and assistants across Namibia have petitioned the ministry of health and social services (MoHSS) to review and upgrade the profession's grading structure, arguing that their qualifications and responsibilities are not adequately reflected in the current public service framework. The petition, addressed to the health minister and copied to the Public Service Commission, the Office of the Prime Minister's human resources management division, and the Namibia Public Workers Union, calls for a comprehensive review of environmental health positions within the public service. According to the petitioners, environmental health practitioners, who hold honours degrees in Environmental Health…

Patience Makwele The City of Windhoek on Monday unveiled an ambitious 10-year blueprint seeking to reshape the capital through digital transformation, modern public transport systems, and technology-driven service delivery. The newly launched People-Centred Smart City Strategy 2026-2036 aims to commercialise the city's fibre-optic network, modernise public transport, and pursue a proposed commuter rail service linking Windhoek, Katutura, and Rehoboth. Municipal leaders describe it as a people-first approach to urban development. Speaking during the unveiling, the council's mayor, Sakarias Uunona, officially accepted the strategy, stating that the initiative represents a commitment to ensure technology and innovation improve residents' lives while creating…