Observer Money

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has launched the Sustainability Academy, a free online learning platform aimed at helping Namibian businesses build resilience and adopt climate-smart practices. The bank said the academy is designed to close sustainability knowledge gaps by offering practical guidance that businesses can apply in day-to-day operations.  As environmental, social and governance performance increasingly shapes investment decisions and trade relations, the platform seeks to help companies transition sustainably while remaining competitive. Speaking at the launch, Gerhard Mukuahima, head of agribusiness at Standard Bank Namibia, said sustainability has become an economic requirement rather than a voluntary choice.  He said…

Chamwe Kaira Africa Bitcoin Corporation Limited, which is listed on the Namibian Securities Exchange (NSX), has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Altvest Credit Opportunities Fund Limited (ACOF), has concluded definitive agreements to issue new notes valued at N$100 million. The private placement was executed under ACOF’s N$5 billion domestic medium-term note programme.  The transaction represents a further drawdown under the programme and forms part of the group’s funding and capital management strategy. The company said the new notes will be listed on the Cape Town Stock Exchange on 16 February 2026. Subject to the terms and conditions, the notes…

Staff Writer Nedbank Group Limited has expanded its Domestic Medium-Term Note programme to R75 billion, up from R40 billion, following amendments aimed at meeting updated regulatory and disclosure requirements. The bank said the changes are set out in the amended and updated DMTN Programme Memorandum dated February 4, 2026, which replaces the previous memorandum issued on 8 February 2019. Nedbank originally established the R40 billion programme to issue secured or unsecured notes, as well as subordinated or unsubordinated instruments, from time to time. The revised memorandum reflects both the increase in programme size and a broader update of the document.…

Chamwe Kaira Anglo American has reaffirmed its plan to separate De Beers through a dual-track process, according to the group’s production report for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2025. De Beers is a 50-50 partner with the Namibian government in Debmarine Namibia, Namibia Diamond Trading Company and Namdeb land operations. Anglo American said the separation process remains under way, with a potential sale and other options being considered as part of a structured process. Anglo American chief executive officer Duncan Wanblad said a structured sale process for De Beers is currently under way, following earlier announcements by the group.…

Chamwe Kaira The Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) posted mixed results during the week ended 6 February 2026, as gains in some sectors were offset by declines in others. The NSX overall index closed at 2,254.46 points, slightly down from 2,259.63 points the previous week. This represents a decline of 0.23%.  Despite the weekly drop, the index remains 5.28% higher than its December 2025 level. The dividend yield stands at 3.54%. The NSX Local Index performed better. It rose by 0.15% to close at 812.39 points, up from 811.16 points the week before. Since December 2025, the index has gained 0.57%.…

Chamwe Kaira Rosh Pinah Zinc and Appian Capital Advisory Limited, the investment adviser to long-term private capital funds, have commissioned a new paste fill plant at the Rosh Pinah mine as part of the RP2.0 expansion project. The plant is the first commissioned paste backfill operation in Namibia. It reduces mining dilution, lowers the volume of tailings deposited on the surface and improves ore recovery. The RP2.0 expansion project is now more than 85% complete and remains on schedule and on budget.  Once completed, the project will almost double the mine’s processing capacity to 1.3 million tonnes per year.  Completion…

Staff Writer TotalEnergies has signed agreements to acquire a 42.5% operated interest in the PEL104 exploration licence offshore Namibia from Eight Offshore Investments Holdings and Maravilla Oil & Gas. Once the transaction is completed, TotalEnergies will operate the licence with a 42.5% interest, alongside Petrobras with 42.5%, Namcor with 10%, and Eight Offshore Investments Holdings with 5%.  The PEL104 licence is located in the Lüderitz Basin and covers about 11 000 square kilometres offshore Namibia. “After the acquisition in December of a 40% operated interest in the PEL83 licence, TotalEnergies further strengthens its position in Namibia by entering this new…

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has appointed Helena Mboti as its new group economist. Mboti brings ten years of experience in central banking and commercial banking. Her background spans macroeconomic policy, financial markets and balance-sheet risk. She previously worked at the Central Bank, where she served as an economist in the research department before moving to the financial stability department as an analyst. Her work covered monetary and financial statistics, macroprudential analysis, systemic risk assessment; and financial stability monitoring. This exposed her to monetary policy formulation and risk assessment across Namibia’s financial system. Mboti later joined the FirstRand Namibia Group,…

Namibia’s newly established Upstream Petroleum Unit (UPU), operating directly under the Presidency, has confirmed its participation at the 8th Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC), taking place from April 14 to 16 in Windhoek.  As Namibia edges closer to first oil, the Petroleum Unit’s involvement signals the government’s commitment to shaping upstream policy, fostering investment and promoting partnership between regulators and industry. The UPU, led by Kornelia Shilunga, Special Advisory and Head, and Carlo McLeod, Special Advisor and Deputy Head, is responsible for overseeing the country’s upstream petroleum sector. Established within the Presidency, the Unit develops regulatory frameworks, monitors compliance and…

Staff Writer The South African wine industry has gathered for the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event to honour excellence, heritage and innovation.  The event also marked the blessing of the 2026 grape harvest and commemorated 367 years since the birth of the country’s wine industry. South Africa remains unique among wine-producing nations because it can trace the exact origin of its wine industry to a diary entry dated 2 February 1659.  The entry reads: “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes.” Clifford van der Venter, chairperson of the Groot Constantia Trust, said…