Observer Money

Herle Otto  It is tempting to frame well‑being as a calendar item: a month of activities, a visiting speaker, a set of posters and a mindfulness app. But well‑being that works is not an event. It is a way of designing work so people do not need to recover from it. The real levers are in the everyday. Workload that fits the hours available. Managers who ask how you are and mean it. Flexibility that treats adults like adults. Clear priorities that let people switch off without guilt. The truth is most employees know what would help them feel well,…

Kristalina Georgieva The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies is reshaping the global labour market, creating both opportunities and challenges for workers worldwide. While technological change has historically altered job markets, the current transformation is occurring at an unprecedented pace and scale, affecting even those at the forefront of innovation.  Recent job cuts at major technology companies illustrate that no sector is immune to disruption. At the same time, new roles and occupations are emerging as automation changes the nature of work.  According to a recent analysis of millions of online job postings, one in ten positions…

Staff Writer Trustco Group Holdings Limited has issued a further cautionary announcement on the possible delisting of its securities. In a statement released this week, the company referred shareholders to earlier notices published on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) News Service, including its most recent update dated 26 November 2025, which outlined the potential delisting of Trustco. The board said it is considering whether a delisting of the company’s securities would be appropriate.  As part of this process, the board has taken note of the Simplified Listings Requirements, which are expected to come into effect on 16 February 2026. Trustco…

Staff Writer Africa is playing a crucial role in providing the necessary minerals for the global transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.  The African Energy Chamber, in its State of African Energy 2026 Outlook, says Africa’s large reserves of cobalt, lithium, copper and platinum group metals place the continent at the core of global supply chains for renewable energy and electric vehicles. The move toward clean energy is driving sharp growth in demand for these minerals. Solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems require far more mineral inputs than traditional energy systems.  Forecasts show global…

Chamwe Kaira The JSE All Share Index closed higher on Monday, gaining 2,038 points, or 1.73%, to end at 120,148.00 points from 118,110.00 the previous trading day.  The index is up 3.73% since December 2025 and reached its highest level for 2026 during the session. The year’s low stands at 116,092.00 points. The Overall Index closed slightly lower on Monday, slipping by 3.95 points, or 0.18%, to 2 180.60 points. Despite the decline, the index remains up 1.83% since December 2025 and carries an actual dividend yield of 3.66%. Its 2026 high is 2 184.55, while the low is 2…

Staff Writer Namibia will host the fifth Canada-Africa Business Conference on 5 February in Windhoek.  The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business convenes the event, positioning Namibia at the forefront of trade and investment engagement between Canada and Africa. The conference will bring together senior executives, investors, policymakers, and institutional partners from Namibia, Canada, and across Africa.  Discussions will focus on mining, energy, infrastructure, and sustainable economic development. Namibia’s stable regulatory environment and long-term policy approach have helped attract growing international interest and partnerships.  The programme includes senior-level panels, sector discussions, and private roundtables aimed at boosting investment, supporting responsible project development,…

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia’s comparison of e-money-related fees shows that all banks charge a fee when an account holder sends money to an e-money wallet using online banking, mobile banking applications, or USSD payment channels. The central bank said recipients are entitled to one free cash withdrawal per month from an e-money wallet, either at an ATM or through a merchant or agent.  After the free withdrawal, banks may apply fees. Bank Windhoek charges the lowest ATM cash-out fee at N$10.50.  First National Bank (FNB) charges N$14 per withdrawal. Standard Bank Namibia does not charge any ATM cash-out…

Chamwe Kaira  The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) has highlighted Namibia’s green hydrogen sector after hosting a series of hydrogen roundtables in London in partnership with Scottish Development International.  The sessions connected Scotland with high-potential markets in Namibia, Oman, Morocco and Egypt and focused on Scotland’s growing role in the global green hydrogen sector while opening new commercial opportunities for Scottish companies. Discussions covered investment, infrastructure, and export opportunities, including Namibia’s emerging hydrogen market, Oman’s desalination and transport plans, Morocco’s hydrogen technology initiatives, and Egypt’s large-scale electrolyser projects.  Each roundtable gave participants direct access to decision-makers and insights into auction…

Chamwe Kaira  The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPB) has announced that stock brand fees will increase from 1 February 2026, in line with government gazette No. 573. In a notice issued to state veterinary offices, LLPB offices, farmers’ unions and associations, and livestock agents, the board said the adjustment follows government notice No. 145 of 2015.  As the mandated administrator of stock brands, the LLPB is required to apply the annual increase. Under the revised fees, registering a stock brand will increase from N$180 to N$186.  The transfer of a brand will rise from N$66 to N$68,…

Chamwe Kaira  An environmental and social assessment has found that the proposed Venus Offshore Development Project aligns with Namibia’s key national and energy policies.  This includes the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which seeks to balance economic growth with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The assessment says the project’s remaining environmental impacts, after mitigation, are expected to be low to negligible during normal operations.  The main exception is greenhouse gas emissions, which were rated as having a medium to high negative impact under European Bank for Reconstruction and Development criteria.  These emissions will be managed through an Energy and Carbon Management…