Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s vehicle market started 2026 on a strong note, with January sales reaching their highest level in ten years. A total of 1 005 vehicles were sold in January 2026. This is the strongest January performance since 2016. It marks a 4% increase from the 966 units sold in January 2025. “While this represents a constructive start to the year, sales moderated relative to the final months of 2025, dipping below the three-month moving average. On a month-on-month basis, volumes declined by 11.7%, a pattern that is not uncommon for January, given seasonal adjustments following the typically elevated…

Staff Writer Construction has started at the Kombat Mine following a ceremonial groundbreaking on 6 February. The event marks a new phase in the restart of one of Namibia’s historic copper mines. New Horizon Copper hosted the ceremony at the mine site. Senior company executives, government representatives, investors and members of the local community attended. The company outlined progress made so far and shared its development plans. Operations are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. The project will follow a phased approach. Once steady operations are reached, the mine plans to double historical throughput to 60 000…

Chamwe Kaira Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has disclosed that total executive remuneration rose to N$52.7 million in 2025, up from N$33.3 million in 2024. The increase was largely driven by performance bonuses and retention payments. According to the company’s notice of annual general meeting for 2026, executive directors earned N$25.6 million in salaries, N$7 million in allowances, N$6.95 million in performance bonuses and N$11.8 million in retention payments for the financial year ended 30 September 2025. MTC managing director Licky Richard Erastus received total remuneration of N$9.9 million in 2025, compared to N$7.3 million the previous year.  Finance director Marthinus…

Staff Writer Namibia’s energy ambitions came into focus during a visit by a United States government delegation to Baker Hughes’ facility at the Port of Walvis Bay. The delegation was led by US ambassador to Namibia John Giordano. It included Joshua Volz, special envoy for global energy integration at the US department of energy and Mike Kopp, senior advisor to the US secretary of energy, along with other officials. They toured Baker Hughes’ integrated multi-modal facility and received a briefing on the company’s operations in Namibia. The visit highlighted the role of the company’s infrastructure in supporting the development of…

Staff Writer Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has appointed Trophimus Hiwilepo as its new non-executive chairperson with effect from 13 February. The appointment follows the passing of former chairperson Theofelus Mberirua, which the company announced on 25 November 2024. In a notice to shareholders, MTC said the board appointed Hiwilepo in line with section 3.59 of the Namibia Securities Exchange Listings Requirements and Article 88 of the company’s Articles of Association. Hiwilepo has served as an independent non-executive director since July 2024. The board said the appointment reflects its confidence in Hiwilepo’s leadership and business experience, as well as his commitment…

Staff Writer Namibia Asset Management Ltd (NAM) shareholders approved all resolutions tabled at the company’s annual general meeting held on 12 February 2026. Shareholders noted and adopted the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025. Under ordinary resolution 1, shareholders approved remuneration for non-executive directors for the 2026 financial year. The resolution received 187.82 million votes in favour, with no votes against or abstentions. Ordinary resolution 2 approved the appointment of EY Namibia as the company’s registered auditor, as recommended by the Audit and Risk Committee. Shareholders also authorised the directors to determine the auditor’s remuneration. The…

Staff Writer Trustco Group Holdings Limited says no valid voting took place at its general meeting held in Windhoek on Monday, after the notice convening the meeting was found to be defective. The meeting was convened at the request of Riskowitz Value Fund LP and took place at The Weinberg – Muscadel & Burgundy venue. It was called in terms of section 189(3) of the Companies Act No. 28 of 2004. Trustco chairperson Advocate Raymond Heathcote SC ruled that the notice did not comply with section 1(8) of the Act, which sets out how and when notice must be given…

Chamwe Kaira  Standard Bank Namibia has said that given the Bank of Namibia’s emphasis on closing the differential with South Africa and the current 25 basis points (bps) gap, its expectation is that the Bank of Namibia will keep rates unchanged until the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) fully closes the differential through further cuts.  “Only then would BoN begin its own easing cycle. In this scenario BON will only deliver two 25bps cuts in tandem with South Africa,” Standard Bank economist Helena Mboti has said.  The Bank of Namibia is expected to make its first monetary policy decision for…

Staff Writer Cirrus Unlisted Investments and Ultimate Safaris have completed an equity funding transaction that will see Cirrus acquire a significant minority stake in Ultimate on behalf of individual and institutional Namibian investors. Ultimate is a Namibian luxury lodge and tour operating company. Cirrus said the business has strong potential for further growth and represents a high-impact Namibian company. Ultimate Safaris started small and has built a reputation for its sustainability efforts. The company focuses on luxury ecotourism and operates across Namibia’s natural landscapes and remote areas. It works to limit environmental impact while supporting conservation and local communities. “Namibia…

Staff Writer The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) attended a closed stakeholder meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 6 February. Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti invited the association to take part. The meeting formed part of an independent technical review by six IAEA representatives into a proposed uranium in situ leaching mining project in the Omaheke region. The review aims to provide expert advice on environmental protection, groundwater resources, public health and regulatory oversight. The IAEA team was invited to review Headspring Investments’ application for an environmental clearance certificate (ECC). The company plans to conduct four years…