Observer Money

Staff Writer  Namibia is likely to feel the full impact of a global oil price shock because of its fixed exchange rate with South Africa and its reliance on imported fuel, according to a report by Simonis Storm. The Namibian dollar is pegged one-to-one to the South African rand under the Common Monetary Area. When the rand weakens against the US dollar, the Namibian dollar weakens by the same amount. Any rise in rand-denominated oil prices in South Africa is also reflected in Namibia. Namibia therefore has no independent exchange rate mechanism to soften external shocks. The Bank of Namibia…

Chamwe Kaira  FirstRand Limited has launched a N$150 billion domestic medium-term note (DMTN) programme to raise funds in the South African capital market. The programme allows FirstRand to issue a range of unsecured debt instruments.  It enables the group to raise up to N$150 billion in total outstanding nominal value, unless the limit is increased under the programme’s terms. In Namibia, FirstRand Namibia Group owns FNB Namibia and RMB Namibia. Notes under the programme may be issued on a continuous basis. They may be structured as senior or subordinated instruments. Some notes may qualify as regulatory capital or FLAC (FirstRand…

Staff Writer Proflight Zambia has launched a new Lusaka–Livingstone–Windhoek flight service, creating a direct link between Zambia and Namibia. The route connects the three cities and allows passengers to travel between Lusaka, Livingstone and Windhoek on the same day. The airline says the service will support business travel, tourism and investment between the two countries. Speaking at the launch, Zambian minister of transport and logistics Frank Museba Tayali said the new service supports the government’s plan to position Zambia as a transport and logistics hub in the region. “You all know that it has been a long aspiration of our…

Staff Writer  The governor of the Bank of Namibia, Ebson Uanguta, and the governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Lesetja Kganyago, have signed a revised memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Pretoria, South Africa. The signing took place during Uanguta’s courtesy visit to the South African Reserve Bank and strengthens cooperation between the two central banks. The new agreement replaces the earlier memorandum signed on 11 September 2015. The revised MoU reflects changes in the financial sector in both countries.  It recognises stronger supervisory roles for central banks, the development of resolution frameworks and the growing complexity of financial institutions…

Staff Writer  Oryx Properties Limited expects stronger interim financial results for the period ended 31 December 2025. In a trading statement issued under the Namibia Securities Exchange Listings Requirements, the company informed unitholders that its distribution per linked unit is expected to increase by between 10% and 30% compared to the same period last year. Earnings per share, profit for the period and headline earnings are also expected to rise by more than 30% compared to the previous corresponding period. The company said the improvement is linked to operational contributions from the Platz am Meer Shopping Centre and a supportive…

Staff Writer  MTC has launched the MTC 4 Life 2026 project to equip young Namibians with practical skills and support for small businesses. The programme will focus on 30 youth from the ǁKharas Region. It targets self-employed and unemployed people between the ages of 18 and 35. Participants will receive practical training and basic business support to help them start or grow small businesses. The training will run for seven days. Participants will learn skills in trades such as hairdressing, barbering, baking, leatherwork, sewing and cell phone repair. Each trade will train up to five participants or more to allow…

The global diamond market is undergoing one of the most complex and consequential periods in its history. Geopolitical instability, changing consumer behaviour and the rapid rise of lab-grown diamonds have combined to create a climate of uncertainty that is reshaping the industry’s foundations. Today’s diamond market operates within a narrow and volatile space. Price discovery has become increasingly challenging; demand is uneven across categories, and confidence across the value chain remains fragile. While diamonds have always symbolised permanence, the market surrounding them is being forced to adapt to a world defined by rapid change and heightened economic sensitivity. Unlike previous…

Chamwe Kaira  Namibia’s diamond production fell by 7% to 2.1 million carats in 2025 as Anglo American continued restructuring its diamond unit, De Beers, amid weaker global demand for rough stones. According to Anglo American’s 2025 Integrated Annual Report, De Beers produced 21.7 million carats during the year, down 12% from 24.7 million carats in 2024. The company cut production across Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada to align outputs with market demand. In Namibia, output declined mainly due to lower production at Debmarine Namibia.  The decommissioning of the Coral Sea and Grand Banks mining vessels reduced volumes. Higher-grade ore…

Chamwe Kaira FirstRand Namibia has reported strong interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2025, as it positions itself to benefit from expected growth in oil and gas investment and an improving domestic outlook. Namibia’s economic prospects hinge on improved agricultural yields, rising uranium production and renewed activity in mining, exploration and infrastructure.  The anticipated final investment decision (FID) by global oil and gas companies could reshape the investment landscape. A positive FID could attract foreign capital, drive further investment and create opportunities across sectors. The group said robust monetary policy and improving consumer sentiment should support household…

Chamwe Kaira Nedbank Group Limited reported a 2% increase in headline earnings to R17.2 billion for the year ended 31 December 2025, describing the period as a transformative year marked by strategic restructuring, portfolio repositioning and balance sheet resilience. Headline earnings per share increased by 2% to 3 706 cents, while diluted headline earnings per share rose by 3% to 3 628 cents. Return on equity measured 15.4%, slightly down from 15.8% in 2024 but still above the group’s cost of equity. Revenue grew by 3% to R73.9 billion. Expense growth of 7% to R43.4 billion pushed the cost-to-income ratio…