Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The government has extended the implementation of the payment deduction management system (PDMS) reforms to next year. In a statement, the Ministry of Finance said reforms to the system have been extended to allow for more consultations.  The ministry noted that following its letter dated 25 August and the stakeholder meeting held on 16 September, the engagement period on the proposed reforms has been extended to 28 February. The ministry’s decision to suspend the deduction code has raised concerns among micro-lenders about their sustainability.  Simonis Storm Securities analyst Kara van den Heever said the suspension of the deduction…

Chamwe Kaira FNB Namibia has maintained its inflation forecast at 3.5% year-on-year for 2025.  Economist Helena Mboti said transport and housing costs are expected to keep mild upward pressure on prices, while good rainfall prospects should support lower food inflation over the medium term. “Overall, the outlook remains stable, although higher global oil prices and persistent geopolitical risks could add to transport and imported cost pressures in the short term,” she said. Headline inflation rose to 3.5% in September from 3.2% in August, mainly due to higher transport costs.  The purchase of vehicles subcategory increased to 4.4% year-on-year from 2.8%…

De Beers Group has announced that Feriel Zerouki, chief trade and industry officer and member of the executive committee, has decided to leave the company at the end of October 2025. Feriel joined De Beers in 2005 and has played a central role in shaping the company’s leadership in ethics, provenance and industry integrity. She led the launch of Tracr and GemFair, two major initiatives that advanced traceability and responsible sourcing in the diamond industry, strengthening consumer confidence and setting new benchmarks for transparency and sustainability. Beyond her work at De Beers, Feriel has led efforts to enhance the Kimberley…

Staff Writer Joburg Indaba chairman, Bernard Swanepoel, says South Africa’s mining industry needs a renewed sense of purpose. “We need a globally competitive industry. For panellists, a key constraint for the mining industry in South Africa is policy uncertainty,” he said at the Joburg Indaba, asking attendees how to “keep the faith in the mining industry” without fake optimism. Several hundred CEOs, investors, and policymakers gathered at the 13th annual Joburg Indaba, held last week at the Inanda Club in Sandton, Johannesburg. The event was hosted by Resources 4 Africa in collaboration with Thinkspiration. Duncan Wanblad, CEO of Anglo American,…

At 15%, Brazil’s monetary policy interest rate (called Selic) is one of the highest among major economies. Yet in 2024, bank credit grew by 11.5%, and corporate bond issuance rose by 30%. This credit expansion in the face of high policy rates benefited many individuals, households, and companies. But it also raised questions about the effectiveness of monetary policy itself. In other words, why did the central bank’s efforts to cool down the economy by making financing more expensive seem not to be working? Our analysis, in the context of Brazil’s latest yearly economic review, shows that concerns have been…

Chamwe Kaira Diamond prices fell across several categories in September as US tariffs and the ongoing sale of De Beers created uncertainty in the market, according to the RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI). Prices dropped sharply for round polished stones under one carat, while larger diamonds showed mixed results, a trend that has persisted for months. Long fancy shapes remained popular, particularly in sizes of two carats and above. At Hong Kong’s Jewellery & Gem World show, trading reflected the divide between small and large stones, with stronger demand for the larger, elongated diamonds. Independent jewellers in the United States reported…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s annual inflation rate rose slightly to 3.5% in September 2025, up from 3.4% recorded in September 2024. On a monthly basis, inflation remained unchanged at 0.0%, the same rate as in the previous month. Zonal data showed that Zone 1, which includes Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi, recorded the highest annual inflation rate at 3.8%.  Zone 3, covering ||Kharas, Erongo, Hardap, and Omaheke regions followed at 3.4%, while Zone 2, representing the Khomas region, registered the lowest rate at 3.2%. The statistician general and chief executive officer of the Namibia…

Chamwe Kaira French media group Canal+ has strengthened its control over MultiChoice Group Limited, increasing its shareholding in the South African pay-TV operator to 76.52%. MultiChoice said Canal+ formally notified the company that it had acquired an additional interest, bringing its holding to 72.46% of ordinary shares in issue. The increase follows Canal+'s ongoing mandatory offer to remaining shareholders, which attracted acceptances for 17.95 million shares. Once these are settled, Canal+'s stake will rise to 76.52%. The development marks a new stage in Canal+'s gradual takeover of MultiChoice, which began early this year as part of its plan to expand…

Staff Writer Choppies Enterprises has confirmed the finalisation of its dividend for the financial year ending 30 June 2025.  Shareholders on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) will receive the payout following the company’s earlier announcement on 22 September 2025. A gross final dividend of 0.6 thebe per share has been declared for shareholders on the BSE.  After Botswana’s 10% withholding tax, the net amount will be 0.54 thebe per share. For JSE shareholders, the dividend will be paid in South African Rand at an exchange rate of BWP 1 = ZAR 1.20150 as of 7…

Chamwe Kaira US-based State Street Corporation and its subsidiaries have increased their shareholding in uranium developer Deep Yellow Limited, which is developing the Tumas project in Namibia’s Erongo Region.  The change was revealed in a filing with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The filing outlines transactions involving State Street Bank and Trust Company, State Street Global Advisors, and related entities.  The adjustments stem from securities lending, borrowing activities, and rebalancing of managed investment portfolios. Following the transactions, State Street and its associated entities now hold about 8.36% of Deep Yellow’s issued share capital, up from 7.36% reported in May 2025.…