Observer Money

Allexer Namundjembo   A new Industrial Baseline Survey (IBS) says Namibia is not yet ready for large-scale oil and gas production because it lacks key technical certifications, strong health-and-safety systems and reliable compliance checks. The findings were shared in virtual session hosted by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).  The meeting, open to both NCCI members and non-members, centred on the nation's readiness for the upstream oil and gas sector. The IBS was launched in December 2024 and officially endorsed by the government. It was commissioned by NCCI and conducted by Deloitte Namibia, with contributions from the Ministry of…

Allexer Namundjembo Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) won five awards at the 2025 Brand Africa Awards held in Windhoek.  The top award was the grand prix most admired African brand – telecommunications, which recognises the company's focus on innovation, customer empowerment, and its broader impact across Africa. MTC also received the awards for  grand prix most admired Namibian brand, the most admired Namibian brand doing good for society and the environment, the most admired Namibian brand contributing to a better Africa, the most admired African brand (aided recall), and the most admired telecommunications brand in Namibia. Speaking after the announcement, MTC’s…

Justicia Shipena Residents in the Khomas region paid the highest price for white bread flour in June 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) bulletin released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). A 2.5kg bag of white flour costs N$53.21 in Khomas, compared to N$51.99 in southern and eastern regions and N$49.66 in the north. For white cake flour (2.5 kg), the highest price was N$59.19 in the southern and Eastern regions followed by Khomas at N$57.55, while the north recorded the lowest price at N$52.64. This comes as the country's annual inflation rate stood at 3.7% in…

Chamwe Kaira Kaoko Fria Investment and its partners are moving ahead with plans to develop a modern port at Cape Fria and a new city, Atlantic City.  The project will roll out in phases, beginning with an integrated infrastructure plan, engineering and architectural designs, township planning, and the land acquisition process. Future phases include the construction of a port at Angra Fria.  The port is expected to become a trans-shipment hub for imports and exports, supporting Namibia’s logistics and blue economy goals.  It will also cater to fishing operations and the shipment of minerals and cargo for Namibia and neighbouring…

Savanna Beef Operations (Pty) Ltd began trading and all operational activities on 3 May 2024.  The company’s administrative expenses included several once-off start-up costs.  These comprised debt raising fees amounting to N$2.8 million, stamp duty and bond registration fees of N$2.1 million, and legal fees of N$1.5 million. For the financial year, finance costs were accrued for loans from the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (N$3.7 million) and Energy Utilities Assets (Pty) Ltd (N$0.6 million), totalling N$4.3 million, which were capitalised. Construction of the abattoir is expected to be completed by the end of September 2025. A ramp-up period…

Chamwe Kaira The inflation rate in Zone 1, which includes Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi, stood at 3.9% in June 2025, down from 4.8% recorded in June 2024. According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, the decline in the annual inflation rate was mainly driven by lower prices in transport (from 8.4% to -0.9%), hotels, cafes and restaurants (from 4.1% to 2.4%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (from 7.5% to 5.9%), and household furnishings and maintenance (from 4.5% to 3.2%). On a monthly basis, inflation in Zone 1 stood at 0.2% in June, compared to…

Chamwe Kaira Koryx Copper Inc. has announced assay results from six drill holes totalling 1,808 metres, completed under phase two of its 2025 exploration and development programme at the wholly owned Haib Copper Project in southern Namibia. Haib is an advanced-stage copper, molybdenum, and gold project designed to produce clean copper concentrate through a conventional crushing, milling, and flotation process. The project also has potential for additional copper production through heap leaching. Koryx President and CEO Heye Daun said the company’s geological understanding of the project continues to improve, supported by the work of consultant Dr Warren Pratt. “Our geological…

Namibia’s engagement with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is gaining momentum, marked by both statistical significance and real trade execution.  In May, Namibia exported goods worth N$5.3 billion to the African continent while importing N$5.7 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of N$421 million. Intra-African exports accounted for 44.9% of total exports, while 49.0% of total imports originated from the continent, emphasising the central role of African markets in Namibia’s trade structure. Top intra-African export destinations included South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, the DRC, and Zimbabwe, with key exports comprising fish, precious metals, salt, and base mineral products. On…