Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said the government is addressing the slow execution of capital projects through stronger coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the National Planning Commission (NPC).  She told parliament that both institutions are working to improve project delivery rates through upcoming public expenditure reviews. Shafudah made the remarks in parliament this week while responding to lawmakers’ concerns about the 2025/26 mid-year budget review. She assured lawmakers that the government remains committed to fiscal prudence, social protection and sustainable economic growth. She thanked members of parliament for their input during the debate, calling it a reflection…

Chamwe Kaira The Otjikoto Mine near Otavi, in which B2Gold holds a 90% interest, produced 44 105 ounces of gold during the third quarter of 2025, exceeding expectations. According to the company’s production report, the mine achieved a mill feed grade of 1.59 grams per tonne, a mill throughput of 0.87 million tonnes, and an average gold recovery rate of 98.6%. Cash operating costs for the quarter were US$781 (N$13 584) per gold ounce produced and US$782 per ounce sold. The company said costs were slightly higher than expected due to non-recurring expenses linked to the completion of open-pit mining…

Chamwe Kaira Africa Bitcoin Corporation Limited, formerly Altvest Capital Limited, has strengthened its position in the cryptocurrency market with a new Bitcoin purchase. The Johannesburg-based company, which was recently listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX), announced that it acquired one Bitcoin through its subsidiary, Africa Bitcoin Strategies, for N$1.87 million at an average price of N$1.87 million per BTC. The acquisition, completed on 3 November, was financed from the proceeds of a recent equity capital raise of N$4.05 million. Following the transaction, Africa Bitcoin Corporation (ABC) now holds a total of 2.0116 BTC valued at about N$3.69 million, with…

Chamwe Kaira The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) has called on qualified consulting firms to express interest in conducting a detailed value chain and partial equilibrium analysis of Namibia’s dairy, pork and poultry industries.  The study is expected to begin around February or March 2026 and aims to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of these sectors. The LLPBN said the planned research will help shape future policy decisions, investments and strategies for the livestock industries, which play a key role in food security and rural livelihoods. According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), between 2021 and 2024,…

Staff Writer B2Gold Corporation has confirmed that its Fekola Complex in Mali continues to operate without disruption, with all mining permits and licences remaining valid. The Canadian gold producer, headquartered in Vancouver, said milling and mining activities at Fekola are running at full capacity. The company reaffirmed its 2025 production guidance for the Fekola Complex, targeting between 515,000 and 550,000 ounces of gold. While some operators in Mali have recently faced permit revocations under the country’s 2023 Mining Code, B2Gold said its exploration and exploitation permits remain secure. The exploitation permit for the Fekola Regional Project is in the final…

Staff Writer Nedbank Namibia’s newly launched #GetMoneyFit campaign aims to help people take control of their financial wellbeing by building consistent and intentional money habits for long-term financial strength. The campaign encourages people from all walks of life to make small, daily steps toward financial stability, regardless of their income level or life stage. Launched alongside the Nedbank Desert Dash on Wednesday, the campaign reflects the bank’s broader focus on overall wellbeing, linking physical fitness with financial fitness.  While the Desert Dash celebrates physical endurance, #GetMoneyFit focuses on financial endurance and the discipline needed to build a secure future. Nedbank…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s trade deficit narrowed to N$3.4 billion in September, showing an improvement from the N$5.3 billion shortfall recorded in August. The chief executive officer and statistician general of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), Alex Shimuafeni, said the latest figures also reflect an improvement compared to the N$5.7 billion deficit recorded in the same month last year. “The analysis of Namibia's top trading partners revealed that South Africa maintained its dominance as the country’s largest market for both imports and exports. In terms of goods, the country’s export composition for September was mainly concentrated on commodities of the mining…

Chamwe Kaira Private sector credit extension (PSCE) growth is expected to exceed 6% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, supported by lower lending rates and improved affordability, according to Simonis Storm Securities analyst Almandro Jansen. “The repo rate has been reduced to 6.50% and commercial banks are expected to lower their prime lending rates further by 12.5 basis points before year-end, easing financing costs across mortgages, overdrafts, and installment credits,” Jansen said. PSCE grew by 5.9% year-on-year in September, the highest rate since early 2020.  The growth was driven by strong corporate borrowing in mining, manufacturing, and agriculture, as well as…

Staff Writer Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah described the private sector as the engine of job creation and called for stronger collaboration to improve fiscal performance and reform procurement and tax systems. “A robust domestic capital market is crucial for sustainable development financing,” she said, thanking the banking sector for its role in redeeming Namibia’s Eurobond, which she said showed the country’s financial strength and responsibility. Shafudah made the remarks during the recent FirstRand Namibia mid-term economic breakfast budget review held at the FNB Namibia Parkside Head Office. The event brought together leaders from government and business to discuss the key…