Observer Money

Staff Writer Standard Bank Group has said uncertainty stemming from the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on inflation and monetary policy had temporarily reduced client confidence to transact, invest and borrow. The group said that if recent positive developments continue, it expects confidence and business momentum to recover during the second half of 2026.  The group has reported resilient earnings growth for the first five months of 2026, despite an increasingly uncertain global operating environment marked by geopolitical tensions, higher energy prices and trade policy uncertainty. In a voluntary trading update for the five months ended 31…

Botswana is seeking support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman to acquire a strategic stake in De Beers from Anglo American. Botswana President Duma Boko said the country was searching for an investment partner as Anglo American moved forward with the sale of its 85% stake in the diamond producer. This move would increase the diamond-reliant nation’s influence over the industry. Earlier this year, Boko visited Oman after disclosing talks with a sovereign wealth fund regarding financing a controlling stake in De Beers. “We are looking at reliable, trusted partners.  The Omanis and the UAE have now claimed…

CHAMWE KAIRA The Zambian government has lifted its export ban on maize grain and maize meal, allowing Namibian businesses to resume imports of the commodities through the Zambian Commodities Exchange (ZAMACE) platform. The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) said it had received official notification of the decision through the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform (MAFWLR). According to the NAU, the notification was contained in a circular signed by acting executive director, Alfred Sikopo. The ministry said it had been informed by the ministry of international relations and trade, which received the communication from the Zambian High Commission. The…

Staff Writer  Old Mutual Alternative Investments Namibia, a division of the Old Mutual Investment Group Namibia (OMIGNAM), has announced a distribution from the Tunga Real Estate Fund to its investor participants, marking another important milestone in the Fund’s lifecycle. Of the total distribution, an amount of N$21.6 million has been allocated to the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), representing its 99% shareholding in the Fund, bringing total distributions to GIPF to date to N$266 million. The remaining proceeds have been distributed to OMIGNAM, which holds a 1% co-investment stake. Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony, Sepo Haihambo, managing director of…

CHAMWE KAIRA The Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index declined by 1.02% during the week ended 19 June, closing at 2,386.93 points from 2,411.60 points the previous week, as losses in the basic materials sector weighed on the market. Despite the weekly decline, the Overall Index remained 11.47% higher than its level at the end of December 2025.  The NSX Local Index edged up 0.07% to close at 840.70 points, extending its year-to-date gain to 4.08%. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) All Share Index, which influences the dual-listed segment of the NSX, fell 2.08% over the week to 112,610.79 points,…

Staff Writer Namibia will need to put in place a robust system of checks and balances, as well as update and develop new laws and regulations, before opening the railway sector to operators outside TransNamib, according to the ministry of works and transport. Executive director in the ministry, Jonas Sheelongo, said liberalising the railway sector would require significantly greater regulatory capacity to oversee multiple operators and ensure compliance with safety and operational standards. “Opening up the railway sector for other players outside TransNamib requires robust systems of checks and balances, updating and developing new laws or regulations commensurate with such…

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia delivered one of the strongest performances in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region for restaurant group Famous Brands, with system-wide sales growing by 7.3% in local currency during 2026. Brands operating in the region include Steers, Debonairs Pizza, Fishaways, Mugg & Bean, Wimpy, Milky Lane and KEG. The company said Namibia experienced moderating headline inflation during the year, but consumers continued to face pressure on household disposable income due to elevated food, transport and utility costs. Despite these challenges, consumer spending remained resilient, although spending on discretionary items softened as customers increasingly sought value-driven offerings. The…

CHAMWE KAIRA The telecommunications sector attracted N$411 million in investment during the first quarter of 2026, more than double the amount recorded in the previous quarter, according to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN). In its Quarterly Statistics Bulletin for January to March 2026, CRAN said the increase was largely driven by network upgrades and universal service rollout initiatives. Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) accounted for 73% of the total investment, followed by Paratus Telecom with 14% and Telecom Namibia with 12%. Despite the higher investment, the total number of active mobile SIM card subscriptions declined slightly from 2.788 million…

CHAMWE KAIRA De Beers chief executive officer, Al Cook says the long-running sale of the diamond producer could be concluded within weeks, with governments from southern Africa and experienced industry investors expressing interest in acquiring stakes in the company. In Namibia, De Beers is a 50/50% partner with the government in Debmarine, Namdeb and the Namibia Diamond Trading Company. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT Europe summit in London, Cook said negotiations had reached their most advanced stage after two years of discussions. “I am hopeful that the sale of De Beers will happen in weeks rather than months going forward,”…

The government has tabled legislation to establish an independent Tax Court within the High Court system, replacing the defunct Special Tax Court and restructuring the country's tax dispute resolution framework following a 2021 High Court ruling that declared key provisions of the existing system unconstitutional. The proposed Income Tax Amendment Bill of 2026 seeks to create a dedicated Tax Court to hear income tax and value-added tax (VAT) appeals while clarifying the respective roles of the minister of finance and the commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) in administering the Income Tax Act. The amendments respond to a 2021…