Observer Money

Staff Writer Global air cargo demand rose by 5.5% in November 2025 compared with the same month in 2024, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Demand, measured in cargo tonne kilometres, increased as shipping activity picked up ahead of the year-end holiday season. Shippers continued to favour air transport for speed and reliability. International air cargo demand grew faster, rising by 6.9% year-on-year. Cargo capacity also expanded during the month. Available cargo tonne kilometres increased by 4.7% compared with November 2024, while international capacity rose by 6.5%. IATA director general Willie Walsh said the air…

The precious metals market enters 2026 with unprecedented strength, underpinned not only by the remarkable price gains of 2025 but also by fundamental structural shifts in demand and ownership. Gold and silver experienced historically rare rallies last year, signalling a new phase for the metals beyond cyclical movements. Gold rose roughly 70% in 2025, climbing from around US$2700 per ounce at the start of the year to over US$4500 by December. Silver outpaced gold with a 128% gain, briefly surpassing US$80 per ounce before consolidating. Momentum carried into 2026, with silver adding an additional 13% in the first week alone,…

Chamwe Kaira Koryx Copper Inc. has increased the size of its planned share sale to about 40 million Canadian dollars, or roughly N$475 million, after strong investor demand.  The move strengthens the company’s funding position as it advances its copper projects in southern Africa, including the Haib Copper Project in southern Namibia. The Canada-listed company said it will now sell just over 16.3 million new shares at a price of C$2.45 per share.  This is expected to raise about C$40 million before costs. The fundraising is being led by Stifel Canada, which is acting as the sole manager for the…

Staff Writer Global air cargo demand continued to grow in November 2025, supported by year-end shipping activity and steady trade flows, according to new data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Total air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, increased by 5.5% year-on-year in November. International operations recorded stronger growth of 6.9%. Available cargo capacity rose by 4.7% compared with the same month in 2024, while international capacity increased by 6.5%. IATA director general Willie Walsh said the growth was driven by shippers prioritising speed and reliability ahead of the holiday season, along with strong demand from emerging markets.…

Chamwe Kaira Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd (ReconAfrica) has increased the size of its fundraising to C$32 million after strong investor interest. The Canadian-listed oil and gas company plans to sell about 33.7 million new units at C$0.95 each.  The funds will be used mainly to advance work on its oil discovery in Namibia, prepare further drilling, and push ahead with exploration activities in Angola and offshore Gabon. The fundraising is being led by Research Capital Corporation, together with Canaccord Genuity and Haywood Securities.  Members of ReconAfrica’s management and board will also invest in the offering. Each unit consists of one…

Chamwe Kaira Local electricity generation in Namibia increased on a year-on-year basis during the third quarter of 2025, supported by improved water availability at the Ruacana hydropower plant, according to the latest economic data. Local electricity generation rose by 19.4% compared with the same period last year.  Higher domestic output helped reduce reliance on imports, with electricity imports declining by 2.2% year-on-year over the quarter. Despite higher generation, electricity consumption fell. Units of electricity consumed declined by 3.2% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025.  The drop was linked to lower activity in several commercial subsectors, including mining, reflecting slower…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia recorded net outflows of international remittances during the third quarter of 2025, pointing to a continued gap between remittance inflows and outflows, according to official data. Net remittances declined by N$262 million on an annual basis and by N$156 million quarter-on-quarter.  This resulted in a net remittance outflow of N$151 million during the period. The weaker position was driven by a sharp rise in remittance outflows.  Outflows increased by N$458 million year-on-year and by N$153 million on a quarterly basis, reaching N$800 million. The increase was mainly linked to higher personal transfers, particularly personal remittances, and increased…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s grey listing has had no material impact on the economy, supported by stable macroeconomic conditions and feedback from financial sector stakeholders, according to the Bank of Namibia (BoN). Authorities and market participants say the designation has not disrupted financial flows.  Commercial banks reported no major challenges, while international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), indicated the greylisting was unlikely to place significant pressure on the economy. At the time of the grey listing, Namibia’s macroeconomic position remained steady, helping to cushion potential effects.  Similar conclusions were reached by Arysteq Asset Management, which found no significant changes…

Pepkor has lashed out at Lewis’s attempt to block its bid to buy the furniture business of retail major Shoprite, warning the Constitutional Court that such a move would have a chilling effect on domestic and offshore investors in South Africa. For its part, Lewis, which is seeking to set aside a Competition Appeal Court ruling that blocked its attempt to use competition law to stop the deal, argues that the transaction will harm consumers. In April, the competition commission recommended the deal to the competition tribunal on condition that jobs would not be lost and the merged business would…

Staff Writer Curro shareholders will receive cash payments for fractional share entitlements arising from the scheme of arrangement linked to the company’s acquisition by the Jannie Mouton Stigting and Curro’s subsequent delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The transaction, previously announced on SENS, resulted in Curro shareholders becoming entitled to shares in Capitec Bank Holdings Limited and PSG Financial Services Limited as consideration.  Where these entitlements resulted in fractional Capitec or PSG Financial Services shares, the fractions were rounded down to the nearest whole share, with the remaining portion settled in cash. In line with JSE Listings Requirements and…