Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Capricorn Asset Management chief economist Floris Bergh says the Bank of Namibia (BoN) is close to the end of its cutting cycle.  He noted that the monetary policy committees (MPCs) of both the Bank of Namibia and the Bank of Botswana are likely to hold rates steady for an extended period through 2026. In August, the BoN's MPC kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.75%.  The central bank said the stance followed a review of current and projected domestic, regional, and global economic developments. “Inflation trends will determine for how long. Elsewhere, we expect the Fed and the…

Chamwe Kaira Cattle prices across major global markets increased during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU) analyst Leigh-Ann Nehoya. In the European Union, the R3 steer price rose from an average of N$103.02/kg in the first half of 2024 to N$133.73/kg in 2025.  In the United States, prices strengthened from N$120.60/kg to N$136.56/kg, while Australian prices climbed from N$65.36/kg to N$74.50/kg.  South Africa’s RMAA A2 price improved from N$55.21/kg to N$63.10/kg. In Namibia, A2 and B2 cattle prices rose from about N$59.24/kg and N$58.18/kg, respectively, in the first…

Chamwe Kaira Elevate Uranium maintained momentum in expanding its mineral resources and moved into pre-development activities in Namibia during 2024/2025, chairman Scott Perry said in the company’s annual report for the year ended 30 June. By the end of the year, attention had shifted toward pre-development, following the construction and dispatch of the U-grade beneficiation pilot plant bound for Namibia.  “With uranium resources totalling 161.1 million pounds (Mlb) of uranium oxide (U₃O₈), comprising 66.1 Mlb U₃O₈ at the Koppies Uranium Project and 61.3 Mlb U₃O₈ at the Marenica Uranium Project, the company holds a substantial uranium inventory. Exploration nevertheless continued…

Chamwe Kaira Paratus Namibia Holdings Limited expects mixed results for the year ended 30 June 2025, with higher revenue but a sharp decline in earnings. In a trading statement on the Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX), the telecoms and infrastructure group said revenue is set to rise between 10% and 30% compared to the previous year.  However, the company projects a fall of more than 30% in headline earnings per share (HEPS) and basic earnings per share (BEPS). Paratus also predicts a substantial drop in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA), with a range of 10% to 30%.  The…

Livestock farming feeds millions of Africans, but it also leaves a carbon footprint that cannot be ignored. The North-West University (NWU) in South Africa’s animal scientist, Professor Kenny Mnisi, says the challenge is finding the balance between sustaining households and tackling climate change. Many farmers, however, are unaware of this link. Mnisi says short learning programmes and collaborative initiatives are needed to close the gap. “The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has set up an Agrihub,” he says. “I believe it will be critical in addressing these…

Chamwe Kaira  Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) has reported a strong set of interim results for the six months ended 30 June, with net revenue up 9.7% to N$2.1 billion from N$1.9 billion in 2024.  The company said the growth was driven by higher volumes, inflation-linked price increases, and benefits from local production. Gross profit margins improved on the back of fewer beer discounts, margin gains from locally packaged wine and cider, and tighter cost controls.  Operating expenses rose by 3.5% to N$1.82 billion from N$1.76 billion, reflecting continued investment in brands and strategic initiatives, including the rollout of the enterprise…

Chamwe Kaira  Cattle production costs dropped by 1.9% over the last 12 months, according to the Namibia Agricultural Union’s (NAU) second quarter report for 2025.  NAU said the decline was mainly driven by a 10.29% fall in fuel prices, which helped offset a 2.72% rise in electricity costs during the same period. The report noted that 2025 is a herd rebuilding year, which has increased profitability for farmers by leading to higher producer prices.  At the same time, cattle marketing fell sharply, dropping by 56.24% from 211 610 in the first half of 2024 to 92 600 during the same…

Chamwe Kaira  FNB Namibia has revised its inflation forecast slightly lower and now expects headline inflation to reach 3.5% year-on-year by December 2025, compared to its earlier projection of 3.7%. FNB economist Helena Mboti said the adjustment was driven by lower-than-expected food prices, prolonged transport deflation, weak domestic demand, and favourable currency movements due to a weaker US dollar. She noted that pressures remained in food, housing and utilities, and alcohol, which together added 2.6 percentage points to headline inflation in August, down from 2.93 points in July. "At the same time, transport continues to weigh on overall inflation (-0.2…

Chamwe Kaira  Capricorn Group Limited has disclosed that its directors and company secretary exercised share awards worth more than N$23 million under the group’s conditional share plan and share appreciation rights scheme. According to Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) filings, the transactions were executed on 18 September at N$22.05 per share, following the vesting date of 23 August. Capricorn Group chief executive officer, Marthinus Prinsloo, exercised 239 578 shares worth N$5.28 million.  Bank Windhoek's managing director, Baronice Hans, concluded several transactions under both schemes, involving more than 598 000 shares with a total value exceeding N$12.7 million. Other directors who participated…

Staff Writer  The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to drive digital transformation in the tourism industry. NTB chief executive officer, Sebulon Chicalu, said the partnership will strengthen efforts to improve service quality, operational efficiency, and Namibia’s global position as a leading travel destination. “The agreement will allow NTB to leverage MTC’s technologies such as 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile applications and VR/AR to supplement our efforts and achieve strategic objectives such as enhancing stakeholder satisfaction and promoting social and economic inclusion in the tourism sector and improving industry service…