Observer Money

Staff Writer  The government has mobilised approximately N$979 million through bilateral and multilateral funding windows for climate-resilient and low-emission development initiatives, according to the Consolidated Accountability Report 2025/2026 released by the ministry of finance this week.  The ministry of environment, forestry and tourism (MEFT) said it had also developed a Climate Finance Strategy to strengthen the country’s capacity to access climate finance at scale. MEFT is finalising the review of the National Policy on Climate Change, adopted in 2011, following the completion of regional consultations. The update of Namibia’s Nationally Determined Contributions is also being finalised, with N$4.5 million secured…

Staff Writer  The ministry of works and transport spent N$2.65 billion of its N$2.69 billion budget in the 2025/26 financial year, achieving a budget execution rate of 99%, according to the ministry’s annual performance report. The ministry recorded actual expenditure of N$2.652 billion against an approved State Revenue Fund allocation of N$2.693 billion. Of the total, N$2.149 billion was spent on the development budget, while operational expenditure amounted to N$503.2 million. Railway infrastructure management recorded expenditure of N$639 million, representing 99% of its allocated budget of N$645.1 million. Infrastructure network administration spent N$1.205 billion against an allocation of N$1.224 billion,…

Staff Writer  UD Trucks Southern Africa has officially launched in Zambia through a strategic partnership with Imperial Motors Zambia, part of Motus Africa. The launch, held in Lusaka, marks an important milestone in the brand’s Southern African growth strategy, establishing a presence across three operational locations in Lusaka, Kitwe and Solwezi. The expansion brings UD Trucks’ Japanese engineering heritage, global commercial vehicle expertise and customer-focused philosophy to a market where dependable transport plays a critical role in economic growth. Together, UD Trucks and Imperial Motors Zambia aim to deliver more than commercial vehicles - a total transport solutions offering that…

Job Angula If your organisation runs a website, customer portal, e-learning platform, staff webmail or online business system, there is a security question your IT team needs to answer today. Your IT team may already know. Your board probably does not. On 20 October, news of two critical security flaws in PHP, software behind much of the world's web infrastructure, emerged ahead of a planned security update. On unpatched systems, the flaws could let an outsider take control of a server without a password. Within a day, technical details were circulating and an emergency fix had been released. International security…

CHAMWE KAIRA  InnoVent’s 50 MW Diaz Wind Farm near Lüderitz was officially inaugurated on Friday, marking an important milestone in Namibia’s efforts to expand renewable energy generation, strengthen energy security and support sustainable economic development. Jenelly Matundu, deputy minister of international relations and trade, and David Gertze, governor of the //Karas Region, officially inaugurated the wind farm, alongside other stakeholders. The N$1.6 billion investment supported approximately 200 jobs during construction and 60 operational jobs, with local content accounting for approximately 45% during construction.  Namibian companies contributed to civil and electrical works, as well as crane installation, creating opportunities for local…

CHAMWE KAIRA  The Bank of Namibia is facing pressure to raise its repo rate by 25 basis points to 7% at its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Wednesday, as rising inflation and South Africa’s higher interest rates compete with weakening domestic economic growth. Simonis Storm Research, has estimated a 70% probability of a rate increase from the current 6.75%, arguing that the move would help protect the Namibia Dollar’s one-to-one peg with the South African rand and contain inflationary pressures. The South African Reserve Bank raised its repo rate to 7.25% on 23 September, leaving Namibia’s policy rate 50…

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibian consumer confidence fell to a record low in the fourth quarter of 2026 as rising inflation and borrowing costs weighed on household spending, according to Simonis Storm Research. The Simonis Storm Consumer Confidence Index (SS CCI) dropped by 12.7 points to 42.2, moving further below the 50-point threshold that separates positive from negative economic expectations. The decline contrasts with a 4.2-point improvement in the Simonis Storm Business Confidence Index (SS BCI), which rose to 47.2, although it remained below the neutral threshold. The results point to diverging conditions between export-oriented industries and businesses dependent on domestic consumer…

CHAMWE KAIRA Simonis Storm forecasts a deficit of between 5.6% and 5.9% of GDP for the current financial year, above the treasury's 5.5% projection. For 2027/28, it expects a deficit of between 5.0% and 5.3%, compared with the government’s 4.8% forecast. The projections point to a weaker fiscal outlook than the government’s latest estimates, as slower economic growth and lower-than-expected revenue weigh on Namibia’s public finances. In its analysis of the 2026/27 Mid-Year Budget Review, tabled on 22 October, Simonis Storm said the government’s medium-term deficit projections had deteriorated, with the deficit for 2028/29 now estimated at 4.4% of GDP,…

Staff Writer  As Namibia looks to equip its youth with the skills needed for an increasingly technology-driven future, more than 5 000 young people have already gained exposure to practical science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education through the MindsInAction STEAM Centre. Founded in 2018 by Ndaudika Mulundileni and Andreas Leonard, the centre has become a growing force in skills development, providing hands-on learning opportunities in robotics, coding, electronics, 3D printing and innovation. What began as a mobile programme serving schools in Windhoek and Walvis Bay has expanded into educational boot camps and collaborative programmes reaching learners across Namibia. Through…

PATRICK KAUTA  Since being confirmed on 23 September 2026, Namibia’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak has escalated into a major regional livestock trade issue. The outbreak occurred within the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-recognisedFMD-free zone in the Karasburg State Veterinary District of the Kharas Region, prompting the suspension of Namibia's recognised FMD-free status and halting exports to key markets including South Africa, the European Union, China and the United States. For Namibian farmers, extended restrictions on animal movement threaten cash flow, breeding programmes, marketing opportunities and livelihoods. While containing the outbreak must remain the immediate priority, it is equally important…