Observer Money

Nedbank Africa boss salary drops to R23.2 million

Nedbank Africa boss salary drops to R23.2 million

Chamwe Kaira  Managing Executive for Nedbank Africa Regions (NAR) Terence Sibiya saw his total awarded remuneration fall to R23.2 million in 2025, down from R25.4 million in 2024. The decline reflects lower incentive payouts, despite a rise in guaranteed pay.  His guaranteed package increased by 4.7% to R5.17 million. Short-term incentives declined by 23.8% to R8 million, with both cash and deferred incentives lower. Long-term incentives remained at R10 million. Total earned remuneration also fell by 6.7% to R23.5 million. This was driven by a drop in vested long-term incentives and lower dividends. The changes come as performance across the…
Read More
Emirates completes travel rehearsals for youth with autism 

Emirates completes travel rehearsals for youth with autism 

Emirates has continued its commitment to making travel more accessible for all by successfully arranging bespoke Emirates Travel Rehearsals across more than 40 cities globally over the past year. With more than 250 families positively impacted, Emirates Travel  Rehearsals are designed to support children and young adults with autism, allowing them to practise the journey through the airport to prepare for real flights, easing travel anxiety and empowering them to fly with more confidence. After the initial Emirates Travel Rehearsals in Dubai resulted in positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations, the Emirates Office of Accessibility & Inclusion formulated…
Read More
Vehicle sales hit highest level in years

Vehicle sales hit highest level in years

Chamwe Kaira  Vehicle sales rose to 1 662 units in March, up 43% from 1 162 units in February and 25.3% higher than the 1,326 units recorded in March 2025. This is the strongest March performance since 2015 and lifts first-quarter sales to 3 835 units, compared to 3 412 units in the same period last year, according to Simonis Storm Securities. The report said the recovery follows a slow start to the year and is supported by fleet replacements, rental purchases ahead of the tourism season and lower interest rates. Passenger vehicle sales reached 746 units in March, up…
Read More
Namibia commits N$4bn to power link with Angola

Namibia commits N$4bn to power link with Angola

Chamwe Kaira  Minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse has reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to regional energy cooperation following the signing of agreements for the Angola–Namibia interconnector transmission line. Speaking in Luanda, Amutse said Cabinet approved about N$4 billion in funding on 10 February. The funds will support NamPower’s share in building transmission infrastructure from Cahama in Angola to Kunene in Namibia, including network development within Namibia. The agreements include a power purchase agreement and a joint development agreement.  These mark progress on the project. The development follows engagements between Namibia and Angola, including a ministerial visit on 9 March…
Read More
Windhoek hosts continental aviation gathering 

Windhoek hosts continental aviation gathering 

Staff Writer Windhoek is hosting a continental aviation gathering this week as Aviation Week Africa gets underway under the theme “Linking Africa: Partners for Growth". The four-day event runs from 21 to 24 April at the Windhoek International Convention Centre, with related activities at the Mövenpick Hotel Windhoek. The programme started on 21 April with arrivals, registration and accreditation. The official opening on 22 April includes remarks from industry and government leaders such as Aaron Munetsi, Indileni Daniel and Teofilus Shaende.  Other speakers include Namibia Airports Company (NAC) chief executive officer Bisey Uirab and representatives from Zambia. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah…
Read More
Nedbank says Namibia market still promising

Nedbank says Namibia market still promising

Staff Writer Nedbank Group says Namibia’s operating environment presents structural challenges, including exposure to climate risks such as drought. In its 2025 integrated report, the group said these risks increase the need for monitoring, especially in agriculture, water-intensive sectors, and rural areas.  It said it is focusing on sustainable finance and long-term planning in its regional operations, including Namibia. Nedbank operates in five countries outside South Africa, including Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini and Zimbabwe. South Africa remains its main market, accounting for about 91% of total assets. The group said regional operations are becoming more important for growth and diversification.…
Read More
Bank Windhoek honours top car dealers in the north

Bank Windhoek honours top car dealers in the north

Staff Writer Bank Windhoek has recognised top dealer partners at the Northern Selekt Sales Awards held in Oshakati. The event honoured dealerships and sales professionals for their performance in 2025.  The awards highlight the bank’s focus on partnerships in the motoring sector and support for vehicle finance. Regional manager for the far north, Mire Christof, said Namibia recorded 14 494 vehicle sales in 2025, the highest since 2015.  She said the trend continued into 2026, with 1 005 units sold in January, the strongest January since 2016 and a 4% increase from a year earlier. She said demand remains strong…
Read More
Financial sector pushes for stronger climate finance collaboration

Financial sector pushes for stronger climate finance collaboration

Staff Writer Namibia’s financial sector is increasing efforts to mobilise climate finance as stakeholders call for stronger collaboration to address funding gaps and climate risks. The call came during a Namibia Sustainable Finance Alliance dialogue co-hosted by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) and Rand Merchant Bank. Policymakers, financial institutions and industry experts met to discuss ways to scale climate finance. The alliance, launched in October 2025, aims to integrate sustainability and climate resilience into Namibia’s financial system. FirstRand Namibia chief risk officer Teresa Louw said collaboration across sectors is key. “These forums matter deeply because they convene diverse institutions, perspectives…
Read More

Diamond market cautious amid war impact

The diamond industry was mixed in March as the Middle East war added new pressures.  The market remained split between small and large goods. Trading in Israel and Dubai froze amid Iranian missile strikes following the start of the conflict on February 28. US tariffs on Indian goods remained a worry for dealers, despite having fallen to 10% in February. Polished diamonds of 2 carats and larger were in demand and in short supply, especially in long fancy shapes. Large New York wholesalers saw steady orders from retailers. The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat diamonds, which tracks round, D…
Read More
Andrada secures N$200 million to drive expansion 

Andrada secures N$200 million to drive expansion 

Chamwe Kaira  Andrada Mining Limited has raised about US$11 million (approximately N$200 million) through a private placement to support its expansion plans in Namibia. The company, listed on the Namibian Securities Exchange (NSX) under the code ATM, issued well over 226 million new ordinary shares at 3.6 pence per share to investors. Zeus Capital Limited and H&P Advisory Limited acted as joint bookrunners for the transaction. Andrada, which operates in Uis in the Erongo region, said the funding comes as it moves to expand operations and take advantage of current commodity prices. Andrada chief executive officer Anthony Viljoen said the…
Read More