Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira  The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has been referred to South Africa’s Competition Tribunal for alleged anti-competitive conduct, the bourse said this week.  The referral follows an announcement made by the Competition Commission on 9 November after it submitted a non-confidential version of its referral affidavit on 1 October 2025. The Commission did not release further details in its public statement. The case originates from a complaint filed in October 2022 by A2X Proprietary Limited.  A2X claims that the JSE is misusing its powerful position by using unfair methods related to its broker dealer accounting (BDA) system and the…

Chamwe Kaira  Namibia’s civil aviation sector has recorded strong progress over the past year, with the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) reporting major financial and operational gains.  The authority said the 2024/25 financial year marked a defining period of confidence and transformation in the aviation sector. Minister of works and transport, Veikko Nekundi praised the sector’s contribution to economic diversification and regional integration.  “I look forward to building on these achievements in the years ahead, as we work collectively towards realising our vision for a resilient and dynamic transport and logistics hub for Namibia,” he said. Aligned with the sixth…

Chamwe Kaira  Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (ReconAfrica) says it has made strong progress at its Kavango West 1X exploration well in northeastern Namibia. The Canadian oil and gas explorer reported that the well has exceeded expectations in depth and early results. Brian Reinsborough, president and chief executive officer of ReconAfrica, said he was pleased with the operation.  “I want to thank everyone working on the Kavango West 1X well. Drilling has been carried out safely and efficiently. Early indications from the well are very encouraging, with multiple oil and gas shows and strong, consistent natural gas markers observed throughout the…

Staff Writer  Standard Bank Namibia has upgraded its digital personal loan service as part of its push to expand responsible lending and improve financial access.  The enhanced platform allows clients to apply for and top up loans instantly through Internet Banking or Cellphone Banking by dialling 1402345#. No paperwork, branch visits, or internet access are required. The bank said the improvements support national efforts to address financial exclusion, especially in rural and underserved areas.  Many Namibians still struggle to access basic financial services, a challenge the bank aims to reduce through digital innovation. “Our enhanced Digital Lending platform is designed…

Chamwe Kaira  The Ministry of Finance must work with Parliament to fast-track the Public Finance Management Bill to ensure that the country's public debt remains sustainable, the chairperson of the Parliamentary standing committee on economy and industry, public administration and planning has said.  Shiimi called for close monitoring of Namibia’s reclassification by the World Bank to a lower-middle-income status. He urged the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade to finalise and table the International Trade Management Bill and the Investment Promotion Bill while strengthening collaboration with the private sector to boost job creation. These recommendations are contained in a report tabled…

Chamwe Kaira  The deputy governor of the Bank of Namibia (BoN), Ebson Uanguta, has described the informal economy as a reflection of the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Namibians. Speaking at the launch of the diagnostic report on informality in Namibia in Windhoek this week, Uanguta said the sector operates without enough safety nets or protections. He warned that the report should not become a document that gathers dust but should drive real change. “For the majority of Namibians, the informal sector is the economy,” he said.  “We can no longer afford to plan in the dark. This report offers…

Chamwe Kaira  Osino Gold Exploration and Mining (Pty) Ltd has updated its final environmental impact assessment (EIA) scoping report for the proposed abstraction of groundwater from the Kranzberg Aquifer in Usakos, Erongo region. The project aims to secure a reliable water source for the Twin Hills Gold Mine, located about 25 kilometres northeast of Karibib, without affecting the surrounding environment or local communities. Twin Hills is Namibia’s third and newest gold mine, with a lifespan of 13 years and over 2 million ounces in reserves.  The mine represents a total investment of US$475 million and is expected to produce 162…

Staff Writer  Standard Bank Namibia, in partnership with the Namibia Investment and Finance Academy (NIFA), will host the Market Access & Trade Opportunity Evening today in Windhoek. The event aims to equip Namibian entrepreneurs and MSMEs with practical knowledge and connections to expand their trade networks, improve competitiveness, and access new markets across borders. It forms part of the Standard Bank Blue Growth Series, an initiative focused on driving SME growth, financial inclusion, and sustainable entrepreneurship in Namibia.  The session is open to the public and not limited to Standard Bank clients. It targets both formal and informal businesses involved…

Staff Writer  Bank Windhoek has launched its EasyWallet On-Send feature, allowing customers to send money instantly from one EasyWallet to another.  The feature, the first of its kind in Namibia, enables users to transfer funds even to people without bank accounts. After a successful soft launch earlier this month, EasyWallet On-Send is now available to the public through Bank Windhoek’s USSD Cellphone Banking menu.  It is currently accessible to MTC mobile users and will soon expand to TN Mobile customers. To use the service, customers must complete a quick, one-time Know Your Customer (KYC) verification by entering their ID or…

Chamwe Kaira  President Duma Boko has emphasised Botswana's commitment to strengthening its energy independence and improving its investment climate.  He outlined steps to boost local electricity generation, expand renewable energy, and modernise infrastructure to attract investors. Speaking during the state of the nation address, Boko said Botswana’s current electricity demand stands at 700 megawatts (MW) at peak and 450 MW nominal, with about 65 to 70% supplied locally and the rest imported.  To ensure a secure energy supply and build export capacity, the government is scaling up both renewable and thermal power generation. Under its renewable energy drive, Botswana is…