Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia recorded an increase in mobile broadband usage and steady performance across the information and communication technology sector in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran). The total number of active SIM cards rose by 3% during the quarter, reversing the stability recorded in the previous period.  The growth was driven by a 3% increase in prepaid subscriptions, while postpaid subscriptions grew by 1%. “Mobile broadband usage rose by 6%, and dongle and router-based broadband subscriptions increased significantly by 30%, although from a relatively small base indicating renewed interest in fixed…

Chamwe Kaira Angola’s Ministry of Transport has launched a public tender for the concession to operate, manage, and maintain the Namibe Corridor, which includes plans for a future railway connection with Namibia. The tender invites interested bidders to submit proposals by 4 May 2026.  The concession will run for an initial period of 30 years, with the option to extend it to 50 years. The concession covers the Moçâmedes–Menongue railway line and includes rolling stock, railway infrastructure, workshops, and a training centre.  It also allows for the design and construction of new sections, extensions, and branch lines, including a rail…

Staff Writer  Westair Aviation, together with its aviation training subsidiary Signa Aviation, celebrated a historic milestone recently with the graduation of Namibia’s first group of Aviation Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) to complete both their trade test preparation and final assessments entirely within Namibia. The ceremony recognized 20 apprentices who completed 18 theory modules, and nine graduates who successfully completed the full skills test process and are now officially qualified AMEs. This marked the first time a Namibian Aviation Training Organisation (ATO) has delivered a complete trade test pathway locally. It is a breakthrough for the country’s aviation training landscape and an…

Staff Writer Artificial Intelligence Service Optimisation for Development (AISOD), a Namibian-registered artificial intelligence innovation and training organisation, has outlined its plans to position Namibia and Africa as leaders in ethical and locally developed AI systems. AISOD was founded in 2023 by Namibian technologist Joel Tiago. The organisation focuses on using artificial intelligence to improve service delivery, develop digital systems, and equip Namibians with technological skills suited to a changing economy.  Its work aligns with Namibia’s National AI and Digital Strategies and responds to the need for African-driven AI solutions. “Artificial intelligence must not be something Africa merely consumes,” said Tiago. …

Chamwe Kaira The Oceana Group, which harvests horse mackerel in Namibian waters, says it plans to engage Namibian regulators to establish a sustainable industry framework. The group says concerns persist about the sustainability of the horse mackerel industry framework in Namibia. Oceana noted that the South African industry recorded good landings in the first half of the year against an interim total allowable catch (TAC) allocation of 35 000 tonnes.  The final TAC increased to 44 000 tonnes in November. In Namibia, the government issued a TAC of 10 000 tonnes as part of its policy objectives.  This marked the…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia remains strategic to Pepkor Holdings Limited, which has expanded its footprint in the country through recent acquisitions, including Choice Clothing. Pepkor’s annual financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025 show that the group views Namibia as an important market within its Southern African operations, with further expansion expected beyond the 2025 financial year. The report states that Pepkor operates retail stores in Namibia across several business units.  These include clothing, general merchandise, furniture, appliances and electronics.  Namibia is listed among the group’s key foreign markets outside South Africa, alongside Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini, and contributes…

Staff Writer Namibia has recorded continued progress in strengthening its defences against money laundering and financial crime, according to the 2025 Basel Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Financial Crime Risk Index, Finance Intelligence Centre (FIC) director Bryan Eiseb has said. The country’s overall Basel AML Index score improved to 4.78 in 2025, from 4.89 in 2024 and 5.09 in 2023.  The index uses a scale from 0 to 10, where lower scores indicate lower risk. Namibia is ranked as the fifth best-performing country in Africa.  This places it among countries with the lowest exposure to money laundering and financial crime risks…

Staff Writer Bannerman Energy has reported progress across its sustainability objectives for the 2025 reporting period and outlined new targets for 2026, focusing on safety, community investment, environmental management and governance at the Etango Project in Namibia. According to the company’s 2025 Sustainability Scorecard, Bannerman achieved 16 consecutive years without a lost-time injury. The company said this reflects its focus on safety leadership, the management of construction-related hazards and the timely closure of incident investigations. During the period, Bannerman expanded its social and community initiatives. The Early Learner Assistance Programme grew to support 400 early learners in the Omaheke region.…

Staff Writer Koryx Copper Inc has reported encouraging assay results from nine drill holes totalling 4 007 metres at the Haib Copper Project in the south of the country. The drilling forms part of the company’s 2025 Phase 2 and 3 exploration programmes at the wholly owned project. Haib is an advanced open-pit porphyry copper-molybdenum-gold project. It is expected to produce copper concentrate through conventional crushing, milling and flotation, with potential additional output from heap leaching. Koryx Copper president and chief executive officer Heye Daun said, “The latest drill results reinforce the strong fundamentals of the Haib Copper Project. We…