Observer Money

Oryx expects to reach N$459m revenue

Oryx expects to reach N$459m revenue

CHAMWE KAIRA Oryx Properties remains optimistic about the country’s growth prospects and the company’s ability to meet its target of achieving a fund size of N$4.5 billion and annual revenue of N$450 million by 2025. The company said despite anticipating short-term challenges, including national elections and global economic uncertainties, Oryx’s robust strategy positions the group for continued success. “We are well on track to meet our long-term goals,” CEO Ben Jooste Jooste added. “With a solid foundation in place and favourable market sentiment, we are confident in our ability to drive future growth and deliver value to our unitholders.” For…
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Drilling encouraging at Andrada Mining

Drilling encouraging at Andrada Mining

CHAMWE KAIRA Andrada Mining Limited, a critical raw materials producer with mining and exploration assets in the Erongo Region has provided results from its inaugural drilling programme undertaken at the historical Brandberg West mine, situated within the EPL5445 exploration licence. Andrada Mining said the objective of the drilling programme is to provide an initial indication of the grade potential and geology of the historical open pit area and to investigate the potential mineralisation of the northern extensions. Anthony Viljoen, Chief Executive Officer said Brandberg West project's initial drilling results are highly encouraging featuring significant high-grade intersections of tin, tungsten and…
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Osino requires 1,1 million cubic meters of water

Osino requires 1,1 million cubic meters of water

CHAMWE KAIRA The planned gold mine near Karibib will consumer over 1,1 million cubic meters of water, a report on the proposed abstraction of groundwater from the Kranzberg Aquifer in the Erongo Region. The proposed project is situated in close proximity to Usakos town. The report conducted by SLR Environmental Consulting said the current Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) mine infrastructure and plant designs at Osino Resources’s Twin Hills has indicated a daily water demand of 3 300 million cubic meters (m3) of water per day or 1,1 Million m3/annum catering for five million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) throughput and sustain…
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Vehicle sales drop in August

Vehicle sales drop in August

The total vehicle sales in Namibia decreased to 995 units in August falling below the 1000-unit threshold. This represents a decline from 1,172 units in July and 1,101 units in August 2023, marking contractions of 15.1% month on month and 9.6% year on year. The overall downturn was driven by decreases in both the passenger and commercial vehicle segments. Passenger vehicle sales dropped by 21.8% month on month, from 564 units in July 2024 to 441 units in August 2024. Meanwhile, commercial vehicle sales decreased by 8.9% month on month, from 608 units to 554 units over the same period.…
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PAYE tax refunds represent respite for many Namibians

PAYE tax refunds represent respite for many Namibians

Niël Terblanché Many low-income earning Namibians are preparing to benefit from tax refunds following a recent announcement by Iipumbu Shiimi, the minister of finance and public enterprises. Over the weekend, Shiimi declared that employers across the country must adjust Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) deductions to ensure that employees who were over-taxed are reimbursed. On Monday, the Ministry of Finance confirmed the new measures through the publication of the revised tax schedule in the Government Gazette, detailing the updated tax thresholds and rates. The new schedule exempts individuals earning below N$100 000 annually from PAYE, a move aimed at easing the financial burden…
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NamPower to add renewables into the grid

NamPower to add renewables into the grid

CHAMWE KAIRA Power utility, NamPower is expecting to add 250 MW to the power grid when all the projects under its 2020-25 Integrated Strategic Business Plan are completed, Managing Director Simson Haulofu told Observer Money this week. Haulofu furthermore disclosed that a new plan is expected to be completed in June 2025 and will speak to a number of things including addressing bottle necks in the transmission and many other things. “We are already in our planning phase. We need to hire out a consultant to help us with a new plan, with the approval of the board.” Of the…
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FirstRand profit hit N$1,7 billion

FirstRand profit hit N$1,7 billion

CHAMWE KAIRA The FirstRand Namibia group, which includes FNB Namibia recorded a net profit after tax of N$ 1,704 billion million in the financial year ended 30 June 2024, compared to N$ 1, 561 billion million), in the previous period, a 9.1% improvement on the previous year. Financial results showed that the groups return on equity (ROE) also improved to 27.8% (2023: 25.5%). Headline earnings increased by 10.1% to N$ 1, 716 billion. FirstRand said the main drivers of the increase in earnings are largely due to an improved trading environment, increased credit extended and base growth. This coupled with…
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Capricorn delivers strong performance

Capricorn delivers strong performance

CHAMWE KAIRA Capricorn Group delivered a strong financial performance for the year ended 30 June 2024 with a growth of 17.7% in profit after tax to N$1.74 billion over the N$1.48 billion previously reported in 2023. The group said Return on equity (ROE) increased to 17.9% from the 17.6% reported in the previous financial year. “This can be attributed to excellent results and solid all-round performances across our portfolio of businesses, which includes the banking subsidiaries, Bank Windhoek and Bank Gaborone, as well as Capricorn Asset Management, Entrepo Group, Peo Finance and our associates,” the group said. The group implemented…
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Food prices continue to increase

Food prices continue to increase

CHAMWE KAIRA The average cost of the First Capital Namibia food basket consistently rose from N$2,029.21 in the first quarter of 2022 to N$2,390.88 in the third quarter of 2022, with the third quarter of 2022 having the highest cost and a significant increase of 10.05%. In 2023, the cost fluctuated, reaching its peak at N$2, 302.71 in the second quarter before slightly decreasing and then rising again to N$ 2,380.90 in the third quarter. The percentage change in 2022 showed moderate increases in the first and second quarter, while 2023 experienced more volatility, with a notable decrease of 7.25%…
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Females trade most cross borders

Females trade most cross borders

CHAMWE KAIRA The age group 27 to 36 was the most active among females in both exports and imports, among cross border informal traders between Namibia and Angola and Zambia, a recent survey has shown. This age group among females accounted for a substantial share of 16.8% in exports and a leading 23.1% in imports. The Informal Cross Border Trade Survey conducted by the Namibian Statistics Agency conducted in November 2023 revealed that women in this age group are the primary drivers of trade among females, engaging heavily in both exporting goods and importing products. Females aged 17-26 are significantly…
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