Observer Money

Staff Writer The expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) last month marks a major shift in Africa–US trade relations, with significant implications for export diversification, investment flows, and economic alignment, analyst Amandro Jansen has said. For over 20 years, AGOA provided duty-free access to more than 6 000 product lines, helping African countries develop export capacity in apparel, agro-processing, automotive components, and other manufactured goods.  Its expiry removes these trade preferences, subjecting African exports to most-favoured-nation (MFN) tariffs and, in some cases, additional US duties. “This transition has immediate and uneven consequences across the continent. While resource-exporting…

Passengers are living digital-first lives. They manage their finances, health, and mobility from their phones. But when it’s time to fly, they’re still asked to queue, print, and repeat. This year’s Travelers’ Voice, SITA Passenger IT Insights 2025, reveals a clear disconnect: travellers are ready for easy, smart journeys. And they’re asking the aviation industry to accelerate its transformation. The report channels the voices of more than 7500 real passengers, surveyed at airports in 25 countries around the world, just before takeoff and right after landing. These are authentic, in-the-moment insights from people living the journey. And they’re speaking up:…

Chamwe Kaira Celsius Resources has begun drafting non-binding agreements for a potential deal with a strategic partner to sell its 95% interest in the Opuwo Project. The company said it continues to look for a suitable buyer after previous sale attempts were not completed.  “No significant activities have been undertaken for the Opuwo Project in this past year,” Celsius announced. The Opuwo Cobalt Project, held under Celsius’ Namibian subsidiary Opuwo Cobalt Holdings (Pty) Ltd, is located about 730 kilometres northwest of Windhoek. Exploration permits for the project have been under renewal since early 2025 and are expected to be finalised…

Staff Writer Simonis Storm Securities has reaffirmed its positive outlook on Namibian bonds, identifying those with 5- to 10-year maturities as the “sweet spot” for investors seeking yield, stability, and policy clarity. The firm said its strongest conviction lies in government bonds maturing between 2028 and 2032 (GC28–GC32), which currently offer yields of between 8.5% and 9.3%. These bonds trade at spreads of 64 to 114 basis points over similar South African bonds. “This segment offers the most attractive blend of carry and roll-down,” Simonis Storm said, adding that the assurance of a 6.50% repo floor through 2026 provides “clarity…

Chamwe Kaira Nictus Holdings is entering an expansion phase that will require investment in new projects and capital across its subsidiaries. These include Auas Motors, Nictus Furniture, Build It, and Tiger Wheel & Tyre. The board said it has reviewed the group’s performance, future capital needs, and growth plans, and recognised that the company is entering a new phase of expansion. “To support these opportunities and ensure sustainable shareholder value creation, the board has resolved to retain a portion of the current year’s earnings. This approach balances shareholder returns with the need to maintain financial flexibility for the group’s strategic…

Airlink has concluded its lease agreement with Azorra following the formal acceptance of the first three of ten new Embraer E195-E2 jetliners. The lease agreement, finalised in August, involves Azorra, a Fort Lauderdale-based leasing and asset management firm, providing the newly built aircraft to the Johannesburg-headquartered airline. The deal strengthens Airlink’s existing all-Embraer fleet. The new aircraft, which seats up to 136 passengers in a two-by-two cabin layout, will increase capacity on high-demand routes such as Johannesburg–Cape Town. The E195-E2’s extended range will also allow Airlink to explore new routes and connect more destinations across sub-Saharan Africa. In 2024, Qatar…

Chamwe Kaira  August recorded a trade deficit of N$5.3 billion, the highest on record, statistician general and Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) chief executive officer Alex Shimuafeni said on Thursday.  The figure shows a sharp decline from July, when the deficit stood at only N$13 million. This, he said, is a worse off-trade balance when compared to a deficit of N$13 million recorded in the previous month.  "Between August 2024 and August 2025, the country experienced persistent trade deficits, with a consecutive trade surplus occurring in May and June 2025. Over this period, the trade balance averaged a deficit of N$2.7…

Chamwe Kaira  Namibia imported 1 079 GWh of electricity from South Africa in the financial year ending 31 March 2025, according to Eskom’s international sales by country report.  The imports cost Namibia N$1.5 billion in revenue contributions to Eskom. Eskom’s 2025 reporting suite covers the financial year ended 31 March 2025 and includes events up to 29 September, when the board approved the reports.  Namibia’s imports more than doubled from 423 GWh in 2024 but were below the 1,653 GWh recorded in 2022. During the same period, Eskom concluded a firm supply agreement with Namibia, Botswana and Zambia to strengthen…

Chamwe Kaira  The GCR Ratings has upgraded Bank Windhoek Limited’s Namibian long-term national scale issuer rating to AA+(NA) from AA(NA).  The short-term issuer rating was affirmed at A1+(NA). The South African long-term issuer rating also moved up to A+(ZA) from A(ZA). The outlooks remain stable, the rating agency said. The ratings reflect a strong franchise, disciplined governance, adequate capital, and sound funding and liquidity, with stable risk metrics. “The principal exogenous swing factor is Botswana’s liquidity cycle, negatively impacting Botswana-based Bank Gaborone Limited’s (BG) financial profile,” GCR said. Bank Windhoek is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Capricorn Group and represents…