Observer Money

Paratus Namibia will be participating in the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair from 22 to 30 August 2025 in the Oshana Region. Visitors to the Paratus stand will be able to see the newest connectivity solutions and experience first-hand the impact that technology can have on everyday life. Visitors will have an opportunity to see Paratus Fiber, Sky-Fi, LTE and Mobile Voice services in action. New subscribers who sign up during the fair will get special offers, including free installation or a complimentary first month. Paratus Namibia representatives will be available to assist customers in choosing suitable solutions for their homes…

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia (BoN) will conduct a bond auction on Wednesday to raise N$2 billion. The issuance includes N$1.5 billion in nominal fixed-rate bonds and N$500 million in inflation-linked instruments. This comes after BoN announced that an additional N$2 billion will be raised through the domestic market because of delays in external sourcing. Overall banking industry liquidity currently stands at N$7.4 billion, with the Namibian position at N$1.67 billion. Kara van den Heever of Simonis Storm Securities said the previous bond auction drew strong interest, with bids of nearly N$1.7 billion against an initial offer of N$487…

Chamwe Kaira The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has warned that the government’s requirement to process rare earth elements and lithium locally could deter investment.  The chamber said the deposits are often small, and the policy creates uncertainty, limiting their development. It also raised concerns about the requirement for farmland transfer when acquiring a mine or mining license, saying the process is slow and creates unnecessary delays. On the Fraser Institute Survey, Namibia’s ratings improved, with its Investment Attractiveness Index rising from 56 in 2023 to 66 in 2024.  The country’s global ranking climbed to 35th out of 82 jurisdictions,…

Chamwe Kaira Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) says it will continue focusing on customer value and innovation as competition in the mobile market grows. “The Namibian market, particularly the space of data service consumption, is continuing to grow and becoming more attractive,” said Erasmus Nekundi, corporate communications practitioner at MTC.  “As an institution that has now existed for 30 years, built from the ashes by the Namibian people, sustained by the Namibian people, working for the Namibian people, and proudly connecting Namibia will continue to be at the forefront of technology and innovation as the market evolves.” His comments follow confirmation…

Chamwe Kaira FirstRand Namibia Limited expects earnings and headline earnings for the year ended 30 June 2025 to rise by 10% to 15% compared to the previous year. “The main drivers of the increase in headline earnings are growth in customers, increased customer activity and effective cost containment. The group’s audited financial results will be released on or about 11 September,” the Namibian Stock Exchange, listed company said in a trading statement. For the year ended 30 June 2024, the group, which includes FNB Namibia, recorded a net profit after tax of N$1.704 billion, up from N$1.561 billion in the…

Chamwe Kaira The European Union (EU) delegation in Namibia is funding the 1 000-cattle capacity Etunda Feedlot, valued at N$80 million, as part of a N$400 million support package to the livestock sector in the Northern Communal Areas (NCA). EU deputy head of mission in Namibia, Ian Dupont, told Observer Money that the feedlot addresses low throughput and livestock quality challenges faced by NCA abattoirs.  It will provide better-quality cattle for slaughter and allow farmers in regions such as Omusati, Kunene, and Oshana to access more diversified markets. “It is expected to strengthen the livestock value chain, improve business viability…

Chamwe Kaira The South African Competition Tribunal has approved Newco’s N$23 billion acquisition of Barloworld, subject to public interest conditions, including the implementation of a broad-based black economic empowerment structure after delisting. Barloworld Equipment, a subsidiary of Barloworld, operates across Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Katanga province. In Namibia, Barloworld Equipment distributes and supports Caterpillar and other heavy machinery used in mining, construction, and other industries.  The company has operations in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, and Swakopmund. Its services include oil and gas ratings, marine power solutions, industrial engine…

National Housing Enterprise (NHE)’s manager of corporate communications and marketing, Mutonga Matali, talks to Observer Money about the company’s financial status, housing projects and the housing backlog on its books.  Observer Money (OM): Does the NHE sustain itself or make profit? Mutonga Matali (MM): NHE sustains its operations through revenue generated from property sales, loan repayments and rental income, which is reinvested to expand the housing portfolio for the benefit of prospective clients. During the launch of the 2023/2024 annual report, NHE announced a N$6 million profit realised in 2024. OM: Does the NHE depend on government funding to fund…

Paratus Group will in the coming weeks launch a mobile data network in Namibia that will challenge the dominant state-owned incumbent, MTC. Barney Harmse, group executive chairman at Windhoek-headquartered Paratus, a fast-growing digital infrastructure company with operations across Southern Africa, revealed the plans in an interview with the TechCentral Show.  He also disclosed that Paratus is considering a listing in New York in the coming years, though no firm decisions have been made in this regard.  Paratus’s entry could kick-start a shake-up in the competitive dynamics of Namibia’s mobile sector.  The Namibian mobile network, which will offer data-only services in…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s beef and charcoal exports to the European Union (EU) are under threat after the EU identified several products that contribute to global forest degradation. The Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) informed its members that the EU has introduced new rules under the European Union Deforestation Regulations (EUDR).  These rules require exporting countries to ensure that identified products are produced within strict guidelines.  For Namibia, the affected products include beef, cattle hides, and charcoal, while soya beans used in animal feed have an indirect impact. The EUDR takes effect on 1 January 2026. Namibia is working to put systems…