Observer Money

The decline in completed building projects can be primarily attributed to elevated interest rates. At the beginning of 2023, the repo rate stood at a modest 6,75% in January, subsequently rising to 7% by March's end. This relatively low rate facilitated accessible borrowing, leading many individuals to secure loans from banks for property construction and renovation, according to Simonis Storm Securities. The current repo rate, now at 7,75%, has resulted in a decline in borrowing due to its heightened cost implications, the firm noted. “In addition to high interest rates, other contributing factors include the soaring prices of building materials…

Anglo American has rejected the latest takeover bid by BHP Group Limited. The takeover bid has implications for Namibia because Anglo American owns De Beers, which is a partner with the government in Namdeb Holdings, Debmarine Namibia and the Namibia Diamond Trading Company. Chamber of Mines of Namibia data, showed that Debmarine Namibia produced 1,7million carats in 2022, an increase of 52% from 2021, covering an area of 19,1 square kilometers. The increase in production was primarily driven by the introduction of the MV Benguela Gem. The new recovery vessel, the MV Benguela Gem, was completed ahead of schedule; commissioning…

Pick n Pay Stores Limited has informed shareholders through a cautionary announcement released on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange that the board has approved a two-step recapitalisation plan. The recapitalisation plan will comprise a rights offer to existing shareholders of the Company of up to R4 billion, expected to take place in mid-2024, followed by an offering and listing of the Group’s Boxer business on the Main Board of the JSE expected towards the end of 2024. Pick n Pay said the terms and conditions of the recapitalisation plan are being refined in consultation with the board and the final recapitalisation…

The manufacturing industry emerged as the industry with the largest export of goods in March valued at N$5 billion, absorbing 59,4% of total exports, products from the industry increased by N$57 million when compared to the previous month. Mining and quarrying industry came in second position with a share of 33,5% of the total export in March, the Namibia Statistics Agency said. Exported goods from this industry increased by N$2 billion when compared to the previous month. Furthermore, agriculture, forestry and fishing industry ranked third, contributing 4,9% of the total export of goods The demand side was largely dominated by…

The financial markets and investors are anticipating the government's borrowing plan, that will serve as a crucial factor in guiding investors on how to structure their bids. Understanding the government's borrowing intentions will help investors make informed decisions regarding their portfolio allocations and investment strategies, Simonis Storm Securities noted that. During April, there was noticeable competitive demand for Treasury Bills (TBs), particularly concentrated at the short and long ends of the yield curve. The 91-day and 364-day notes attracted the most significant portion of tendered amounts, indicating investor preference for short-term liquidity and longer-term stability. Despite this concentration, Namibian yields…

NDINELAGO KANYOLO As we transition from childhood to adulthood, the responsibility for managing our finances gradually shifts from our guardians to ourselves. This transition marks a pivotal moment in our lives, where we are tasked with the responsibility of navigating the complexities of day-to-day financial management. While managing money is a fundamental aspect of financial wellness, its significance extends far beyond mere monetary transactions. Financial wellness encompasses a holistic approach to managing our financial lives, covering habits, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to our overall financial health and well-being. Understanding Financial Wellness Financial wellness is more than just the absence…

CHAMWE KAIRA The Bank of Namibia’s stock of international reserves declined by 2% to reach N$54,3 billion at the end of March. The decrease stemmed from higher net commercial bank outflows on account of higher imports and portfolio outflows over the month, coupled with increased government payments, the central bank said. The foreign reserves translated into 3,8 months of import cover, continuing to remain above the international benchmark of three months and adequate to support the Namibia Dollar and the South African Rand currency peg. Notably, the import cover excluding imports of oil exploration and appraisal activities stood at 4,3…

CHAMWE KAIRA Fifty-three percent of Namibians surveyed in the TransUnion 2024 State of Omnichannel Fraud Report don’t trust that personal data would be secure. This was in response to the top reason consumers said they abandoned online application or form for a financial or insurance product. Six percent of Namibians surveyed said they fell victim to phishing while 41% said they were targeted but did not fell victim while 53% said they were not targeted. The Namibian retail industry was industry with the highest rate of suspected digital fraud. The rate of suspected digital fraud attempts in retail where the…

The Zonal inflation rates for April revealed that, Zone 2 (Khomas region) recorded the highest annual inflation rate of 5,4%, followed by Zone 1 (Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi regions) which recorded an inflation rate of 4,8% and Zone 3 (//Kharas, Erongo, Hardap, Omaheke regions) annual inflation rate was observed at 3.9%. Analysis of the average retail prices of selected products for the month of April revealed that consumers in Zone 1 paid the highest price for white bread flour (2,5kg) at N$55,91, followed by Zone 3 at N$52,99, while consumers in Zone…