Observer Money

Staff Writer  Black Friday has become a major event on Namibia’s retail calendar. It has shifted from an imported idea to a period that shapes how consumers spend and how businesses plan. For retailers, it is a chance to boost revenue and connect with customers. For consumers, it offers savings but carries the risk of financial strain when approached without discipline. Awareness of Black Friday remains high. Electronics and appliances are still the most sought-after items, followed by clothing and household essentials. Shoppers are becoming more cautious, focusing on value and necessity rather than impulse buys. Rising living costs, interest…

Staff Writer  Abu Dhabi brought global energy leaders together for ADIPEC 2025, where discussions focused on rising demand and the future of the sector. Opening the event, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, welcomed thousands of attendees and delivered a message centred on urgency. Al Jaber said ADIPEC has become the platform “where facts come into focus” and where the future of energy is shaped through direct dialogue and investment-driven action. He highlighted the pressures created by shifting geopolitics, volatile markets and increasing complexity. He said electricity demand will climb sharply through 2040 as data…

Renthia Kaimbi The Emergency Shelter and Matutura Community Hall will be renamed in honour of the late liberation struggle icon, Putuse Appolus. The decision was approved during this week’s Ordinary Council Meeting, following a recommendation first made by the Swakopmund naming advisory committee in September 2020. According to council documents, the recommendation was mistakenly omitted from a group of items submitted to the council in November 2020. The omission occurred during a period of meeting disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This week’s decision corrects that oversight. The facility will now be called the Putuse Appolus Emergency Shelter. In the…

Chamwe Kaira Zeda Limited says Namibia, Zambia and Ghana recorded stronger economic performances during the financial year, giving its Sub-Saharan operations a more supportive environment. This comes as the automotive services company posted improved earnings and higher operating profit for the year ended 30 September 2025. Zeda holds the licence to the Avis brand in South Africa and 10 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It operates the Avis and Budget brands under a long-term agreement with Avis Budget Group. The company manages more than 20 000 vehicles across several rental categories and offers a range of value-added products. The group…

Chamwe Kaira A new report on the state of skills supply and demand in Namibia in 2025 has found a persistent mismatch between the skills held by the workforce and those required by the labour market.  The gap, driven by weaknesses in the education system and fast-changing global trends, continues to limit economic growth, diversification, productivity and competitiveness. The report was compiled by the Namibia Investment Promotion & Development Board (NIPDB) and its partners.  It assesses the alignment between skill supply and labour market demand, identifies gaps, evaluates education and training outcomes, supports job creation efforts, and highlights priority areas…

Staff Writer  Oryx Properties Limited says all ordinary resolutions tabled at its annual general meeting (AGM) on 24 November were approved by a majority of linked unitholders, with 89.41% of total unitholders casting votes. Unitholders unanimously adopted the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025, approved the remuneration of non-executive directors for the 2026 financial year and endorsed the company’s Remuneration Policy through a non-binding advisory vote. Each resolution received 100% support. The resolution to reappoint the independent external auditors received 67.03% approval, while authorising directors to determine the auditors’ remuneration was supported by 100% of voters.…

Staff Writer  Standard Bank Namibia has signed a strategic financial services agreement with the City of Windhoek, strengthening its partnership with the municipality and expanding access to financial support for employees. The agreement gives City of Windhoek staff exclusive access to tailored financial products and services aimed at improving long-term financial wellbeing.  These include Financial Fitness Academy sessions to boost financial literacy, home loan solutions at preferential terms, vehicle and asset finance at competitive rates, and personal loan concessions with faster processing. The initiative draws on the bank’s Employee Value Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking and the Windhoek Branch teams.…

Patricia Olivier  In today’s fast-changing business landscape, forward-looking employers are recognising that employee financial wellness goes far beyond personal finance: it’s a cornerstone of sustainable business success.  A workforce that feels financially secure is more productive, more engaged, and more likely to stay committed to the organisation that supports them. When it comes to being ready for life after work, many Namibians continue to encounter major obstacles.  According to the Old Mutual Financial Services Monitor, 45% of working Namibians who are not part of a pension or provident fund through their employer are relying on banked savings to prepare for…

Staff Writer Namibia’s financial industry is strengthening efforts to turn rising digital fraud into an opportunity for innovation and trust-building.  At the Fraud and Cybersecurity Awareness Summit, leaders from banking, government and technology sectors renewed their commitment to creating a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem that supports economic growth. Digital adoption is rising, with internet penetration at 64.4% and mobile connections reaching 87% of the population. Digital transactions have grown 20 to 30% year-on-year, contributing to a digital economy that now makes up 2.5% of GDP. The national target is 4 to 5% by 2030. “Cybersecurity is sovereignty. As Namibia…

Chamwe Kaira  Sustainability concerns persist in Namibia’s horse mackerel industry, the Oceana Group has said. Cabinet reduced the horse mackerel total allowable catch (TAC) to 208 000 metric tonnes for the 2025 season, down from 270 000 metric tonnes. Oceana said Namibian horse mackerel vessels operated with similar fishing days and catch rates compared to last year.  The company recorded higher profitability due to lower fuel costs and a 12% increase in average US dollar sales prices driven by strong demand for affordable protein.  “Concerns persist about the sustainability of the framework for the horse mackerel industry in Namibia. Total…