Observer Money

Biomass industry has N$21 billion potential

Biomass industry has N$21 billion potential

CHAMWE KAIRA The Namibian biomass industry has a value chain potential of about N$21 billion, CEO of the Namibia Biomass Industry Group, Progress Kashandula said in an interview. He was speaking on the sidelines of a signing ceremony for the N$2,3 billion, 40 MW Otjikoto Biomass Power Project. Four local biomass companies will supply 180 000 tons per annum of wood chips in total for a combined annual contract value of N$188 million. Kashandula said the issue of wood harvesting is based on bush encroachment as a degrading factor to the agriculture sector, especially in terms that it being a…
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Dongfang seeking to construct hydrogen projects

Dongfang seeking to construct hydrogen projects

CHAMWE KAIRA Dongfang Electric of China has expressed interest in constructing and supplying equipment for the planned green hydrogen projects in the country. Xiong Chao, Deputy General Manager of M&E Division II, told Observer Money that most of its business is construction, manufacture and supply of equipment for energy projects such as hydrogen projects. “We are one of the biggest power equipment manufacturers, if there are some hydrogen projects, that are interested to work with us, we would be interested to work with them and partner on these hydrogen projects.” Chao said the company has worked on many hydrogen energy…
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Itope takes the reigns at CPBN

Itope takes the reigns at CPBN

Idi Itope will take over as new CEO of the Central Procurement Board of Namibia effective 1 June. Itope has previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Namibia Revenue Agency. Itope told Observer Money that the CPBN has many challenges and that his approach will be to first understand the internal environment and do what is necessary and possible to overcome them in a coordinated and long lasting manner. Observer Money (OM): What led you to take up this challenge? Idi Itope (II): I decided to compete transparently with other equally capable Namibians for the Chief Executive Officer position primarily because…
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Paratus to invest N$600m in revenue generation

Paratus to invest N$600m in revenue generation

Paratus Namibia Holdings Limited (PNH) has announced that it successfully raised over N$600-million through its recent rights Issue and investment drive, which was fully subscribed. This significant capital infusion has effectively doubled the company’s market capital on the Namibia Stock Exchange News (NSX). The funds will be allocated to expand Paratus Namibia’s existing offerings by enhancing its core systems and infrastructure. The investment is expected to enable the company to adapt and transform its business model to meet the evolving demands of customers and the market. Paratus operates in seven African countries, Angola, Botswana, DRC, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and…
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ANIREP records lower revenue

ANIREP records lower revenue

Alpha Namibia Industries Renewable Power Limited (ANIREP) said in financial results for the year ended 29 February that revenue for the year of N$74 million was 6% lower due to lower revenue caused by the delay in starting the Khan project. The company said the key focus during the period was closing the equity rights issue and starting construction on the 25MWp Khan project. ANIREP said it grew its equity capital base by 260%, successfully closing the rights issue for N$437 million in December 2023. The proceeds are being utilised to increase generation capacity by over 426% from 13MWp Solar…
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Stimulus to pay N$18m to shareholders

Stimulus to pay N$18m to shareholders

Stimulus Investment Limited, directors have resolved that an amount of N$18 million (2023: N$3,5 million) be declared as a final dividend to the preference shareholders, which translates into a dividend of N$4.02 (2023: N$0.76) per preference share based on 4,6 million preference shares in issue. The company said the preference dividend amount represents the total realised cash returns of Stimulus, after adjusting for fair value gains, for the financial year ended 29 February. Stimulus said portfolio of investments in subsidiaries and associates was valued by an independent valuator and the resulting fair value gain for 2024 amounting to N$60.5 million…
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Government to auction, monk, horse mackerel

Government to auction, monk, horse mackerel

The government has continued with its objective of auctioning fish to the highest bidders. In a joint announcement, the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises and Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources said they jointly plan to auction 13 584 metric ton (MT) of horse mackerel and 1000 Metric tons of monk to the highest bidders. The Marine Resources Act makes provision for the state to utilise or harvest marine resources to advance any social-economic, cultural or other governmental objectives in the public interest. The bids will close on 14 June. The tender conditions include that bids must be in…
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PSG confident on business resilience

PSG confident on business resilience

PSG Financial Services, the financial services group that predominantly services individuals and enterprises in South Africa and Namibia has said despite the difficult macroeconomic environment and negative global sentiment, it remains confident in its overall business resilience. It said in a difficult environment, maximising every opportunity in a disciplined manner is crucial to attaining success. “We value initiatives that help us focus on consistent delivery and enable us to unlock value across the group,” the group said. CEO Francois Gouws CEO said PSG will continue to monitor local and global events and the associated impact on the group’s clients and…
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Old Mutual eyes northern regions for 2024 Entrepreneurship Programme

Old Mutual eyes northern regions for 2024 Entrepreneurship Programme

Martin Endjala Old Mutual's Sustainable, Economic, and Empowerment Drive (OM SEED) has announced its 2024 edition, which will focus on the northern regions of Ohangwena, Zambezi, Oshikoto, and Kavango West. For its third edition, the Old Mutual Foundation has allocated N$800 000 to support grassroots entrepreneurs in these areas. Last week, Windhoek hosted the initiative's launch. Old Mutual Namibia's executive group marketing, public affairs, and sustainability, Mignon du Preez, stated that the organization strategically selected the four regions to promote entrepreneurship, generate value within local communities, and tackle the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Through capital provision and incubation…
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Paratus raises N$600m for expansion

Paratus raises N$600m for expansion

Paratus Namibia Holdings Limited (PNH), a leading telecommunications company in Namibia, has successfully raised over N$600-million through its recent rights Issue and investment drive, which was fully subscribed. This significant capital infusion has effectively doubled the company's market capital on the Namibia Stock Exchange News (NSX). The raised capital has been sourced from a diverse group of investors, including the Paratus Group (61,9%), institutional investors (34%), Paratus employees (2,6%), and retail investors (1,5%). The funds will be strategically allocated to expand Paratus Namibia's existing offerings by enhancing its core systems and infrastructure. This investment will enable the company to adapt…
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