Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira  Choppies Enterprises Limited has confirmed its final cash dividend for the six months ended 31 December 2025. The company had announced the dividend on 25 March 2026 on both the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). A gross final dividend of 1.0 thebe per share will be paid to shareholders on record as of 17 April 2026. For shareholders on BSE, the dividend will be subject to a 10% withholding tax. This results in a net payment of 0.9 thebe per share. The last day to trade with the dividend is 14 April 2026.…

Chamwe Kaira  The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) is shifting its focus to digital transformation as it enters its next phase of growth, board chairperson Peter Kruger has said. Speaking at a Taxpayer Appreciation event in Swakopmund marking NamRA’s fifth anniversary, Kruger said the agency’s first five years focused on building systems and stabilising operations. “Over the next five years, digital transformation is a key pillar of our strategic execution,” he said. He said improving customer experience will be a key part of the shift. Kruger said a dedicated team will lead digital projects, while NamRA will work with revenue agencies…

Staff Writer The MoreToLove campaign by Namibia Dairies has been named Advertising Campaign of the Year at the inaugural MTC Branding and Marketing Excellence Awards. The awards were held at the Windhoek Country Club Resort and marked the end of a three-day branding and marketing indaba that drew more than 400 delegates from Namibia and across Africa. The recognition formed part of a strong showing for the Ohlthaver & List Group. Its agency, O&L BrandX, was named Agency of the Year. O&L BrandX managing director Patricia Hoeksema said the award reflects the agency’s focus on authenticity and local storytelling. She…

Wandile Sihlobo  We are entering a busy period in South Africa’s agricultural production cycle. On April 23, we are due to receive the Crop Estimate Committee’s (CEC) third production forecast for 2025-26 summer grains and oilseeds. This estimate is typically a stronger indicator than the first two on how the season’s harvest will look, as the crop has largely passed the pollination stage. At the same time, we are due to get the CEC data on farmers’ planting intentions for 2026-27 winter crops. The weather outlook, winter crop prices, and the availability and cost of inputs, among other considerations, inform…

Chamwe Kaira  Walvis Bay handled exports worth N$2.1 billion in February, making it the country’s leading export point. Other key export routes included Eros Airport, which facilitated goods worth N$1.7 billion, and the Katima Mulilo border post at N$1.2 billion. On the import side, Walvis Bay remained the main entry point, handling goods valued at N$3.9 billion.  Ariamsvlei followed with N$2.7 billion, while the Trans Kalahari border post handled N$1.8 billion. Namibia’s trade with the African continent showed higher imports than exports.  The country exported goods worth N$4.3 billion to Africa and imported goods worth N$5.6 billion, resulting in a…

Staff Writer The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has welcomed the appointment of Nicholas Mukasa as its second deputy governor, effective 1 May 2026. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made the appointment in line with the Constitution and the Bank of Namibia Act. Mukasa will support the central bank's governor Ebson Uanguta in guiding the bank’s strategy and reform plans. His role includes strengthening the bank’s ability to respond to changes in the economy, including the shift toward digital financial services and developments in sectors such as energy. Mukasa has nearly 20 years of experience in financial markets, investment management and risk analysis.…

Staff Writer Namibia’s transport prices fell in March 2026, but this trend is expected to reverse after a fuel price increase in April. The transport category, which makes up 14.3% of the consumer price index, recorded a decline of 1.7% year-on-year in March. This is compared to a 2.6% increase in March last year. Simonis Storm Securities said the decline reduced overall inflation by 0.3 percentage points. The drop was driven by lower costs in operating personal transport. These costs fell by 3.3% year-on-year. Fuel prices remained unchanged in March at N$19.58 per litre for petrol and N$19.63 for diesel…

Namibia is emerging as a central focus in TotalEnergies’ expanding African project pipeline, with the company targeting a final investment decision on its Venus oil discovery by the fourth quarter of 2026. The development, located offshore in Namibia’s Orange Basin, is considered one of the most closely watched deepwater oil projects globally and could significantly shape the country’s future oil and gas sector if approved. The update comes as TotalEnergies’ Senior Vice President for Africa, Mike Sangster, prepares to speak at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris on April 22–23. The forum is expected to highlight the company’s…

Staff Writer  Simonis Storm Securities projects Namibia’s real GDP growth at about 2.3% in 2026, slightly below government estimates. The firm said recent developments such as stability in the mining sector, infrastructure spending and improving private sector sentiment after the eurobond repayment are expected to support growth over time. “This disconnect is in the previous good developments that have happened, like mining sector stabilisation (uranium and gold), infrastructure spending multipliers and improving private sector sentiment following the Eurobond retirement; the momentum is building and will filter through in the next year or two,” the firm said. Simonis said a stronger…

Chamwe Kaira  Namibia recorded a trade deficit of N$5.2 billion in February 2026, reversing the N$198 million surplus recorded in January, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) statistician general and chief executive officer Alex Shimuafeni. The deficit also widened compared to February 2025, when the country recorded a shortfall of N$2.1 billion. South Africa remained Namibia’s largest trading partner for both exports and imports. Shimuafeni said exports were driven by mining products, including non-monetary gold, diamonds, petroleum oils and ores and concentrates of base metals.  He said fish was the only non-mineral product among the top five exports. Re-exports…