Observer Money

Staff Writer Namibia’s listed banking sector is showing mixed performance, with some banks growing while others face pressure, according to Simonis Storm Securities. FirstRand Namibia reported headline earnings of N$1.066 billion for the first half of FY2026.  Return on equity reached 30.2%. Total assets declined by 2.6% after the bank exited its asset and liability management hedge. Key indicators improved. The net interest margin rose to 6.3%. The credit loss ratio improved to 0.4%. Non-performing loans dropped to 4.3%. The firm said the performance was supported by changes in funding. Franchise deposits increased by 9.4%.  Institutional funding fell by 26.7%.…

Staff Writer Market indices in Namibia and South Africa recovered on Tuesday after losses in the previous session, data from the Namibian Securities Exchange shows. The JSE all share index rose 1.10% to close at 119,795.83 points, recovering from a 0.45% decline recorded on 13 April. The index remains 3.42% higher than its level in December 2025, although still below its 2026 high. In Namibia, the overall index increased by 1.29% to 2,290.09 points, reversing a 0.15% drop in the previous session. The index has gained 6.95% since December 2025. The Local Index showed little movement, rising 0.06% to 827.78…

Chamwe Kaira  The Chamber of Mines of Namibia says the scale of the mining sector contraction reported by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) may be overstated. NSA reported that mining and quarrying contracted by 9.4% in 2025. The decline was driven by a 19.4% drop in diamond mining, along with contractions of 12.2% in metal ores and 14.5% in other mining activities. The Chamber said this does not fully reflect production trends. Gold output increased by about 5% in 2025, while uranium production rose by around 23%. These increases would usually offset declines in diamonds. Metal ores, including gold and…

Chamwe Kaira  The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) collected N$81.1 billion in net revenue for the 2025/26 financial year, exceeding its target of N$79.1 billion. The agency reached 102.6% of its target by 31 March 2026. Gross revenue collections stood at N$93 billion. After refunds of N$11.9 billion, net revenue reached N$81.1 billion. Revenue was mainly driven by Southern African Customs Union receipts and value-added tax. SACU contributed 26.0% of total revenue, amounting to more than N$21.1 billion. VAT followed at 23.6% or N$19.1 billion. Pay-As-You-Earn tax contributed 22.9%, equal to N$18.6 billion. Corporate income tax accounted for 18.4% or N$14.9…

Chamwe Kaira  Toyota Tsusho Corporation plans to join a rare earth exploration project in Namibia, marking a new step in the country’s mining sector. The project is led by Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, which has been working with Namibia Critical Metals Inc. since 2020 to explore the Lofdal area in the Kunene Region. The project has already confirmed the presence of heavy rare earth elements such as dysprosium and terbium. A preliminary feasibility study was completed earlier this year. Toyota Tsusho will now take part in the next phase of the project. The company will contribute to…

Chamwe Kaira  Simonis Storm Securities says Namibia’s ports are gaining from global shipping disruptions linked to instability in the Middle East. Rising risks in the Persian Gulf and attacks on vessels in the Red Sea have forced ships to avoid the Suez Canal. Many vessels are now using the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing traffic along Namibia’s coast. This shift is already benefiting Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. Demand for ship refuelling has increased, with Flex Commodities launching bunkering services at both ports to serve rerouted vessels. Namibia is also gaining ground as South Africa’s bunkering volumes…

Chamwe Kaira  Africa Bitcoin Corporation Limited has confirmed changes to its share structure, affecting investors on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX). The company said all required resolutions to subdivide its ordinary shares and amend its memorandum of incorporation have been filed with South Africa’s Companies and Intellectual Property Commission. The changes are set to take effect later in April 2026. The restructuring will increase the number of authorised shares and split existing shares. This is aimed at improving trading and making shares more accessible to investors. Africa Bitcoin Corporation is dual-listed, with shares trading under the code “BAN” on the…

Staff Writer Analyst Fimanekeni Mbodo says the Bank of Namibia (BoN)’s net loss of N$893 million in 2025 was driven by currency movements rather than core operations. Mbodo, from Cirrus Capital, said the figures must be read in context.  The bank’s results show a shift from a profit of N$1.37 billion in 2024 to a loss in 2025. Dividends paid to the government also fell from N$720 million to N$200 million. Total income declined by 19.1%. This was mainly due to a 21.4% drop in net interest income, linked to lower global interest rates and reduced investment balances. Operating expenses…

Staff Writer  Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has received airport carbon accreditation level 1 for Hosea Kutako International Airport and Walvis Bay International Airport. The certification was awarded by Airports Council International Africa in March. Airport carbon accreditation is a global programme that assesses how airports manage and reduce carbon emissions. Level 1 means the airports have measured and recorded their carbon footprint. This forms the base for future carbon management. The company said the step allows it to plan and implement carbon reduction measures and improve operations. “This milestone underscores the NAC’s commitment to aligning its operations with international environmental…

Chamwe Kaira  The Bank of Namibia says Namibia’s economy is expected to grow by 2.6% in 2026 and 2.9% in 2027.  The central bank said the economy grew by an estimated 1.7% in 2025 and is set to recover gradually over the next two years. Growth in 2026 and 2027 is expected to be supported by expansion in sectors such as construction, electricity and water, wholesale and retail trade, financial services, and public administration and defence. Uranium mining is also expected to remain a key driver of growth, supported by increased production from existing mines. The bank said the latest…