Observer Money

The global diamond market is undergoing one of the most complex and consequential periods in its history. Geopolitical instability, changing consumer behaviour and the rapid rise of lab-grown diamonds have combined to create a climate of uncertainty that is reshaping the industry’s foundations. Today’s diamond market operates within a narrow and volatile space. Price discovery has become increasingly challenging; demand is uneven across categories, and confidence across the value chain remains fragile. While diamonds have always symbolised permanence, the market surrounding them is being forced to adapt to a world defined by rapid change and heightened economic sensitivity. Unlike previous…

Chamwe Kaira  Namibia’s diamond production fell by 7% to 2.1 million carats in 2025 as Anglo American continued restructuring its diamond unit, De Beers, amid weaker global demand for rough stones. According to Anglo American’s 2025 Integrated Annual Report, De Beers produced 21.7 million carats during the year, down 12% from 24.7 million carats in 2024. The company cut production across Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada to align outputs with market demand. In Namibia, output declined mainly due to lower production at Debmarine Namibia.  The decommissioning of the Coral Sea and Grand Banks mining vessels reduced volumes. Higher-grade ore…

Chamwe Kaira FirstRand Namibia has reported strong interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2025, as it positions itself to benefit from expected growth in oil and gas investment and an improving domestic outlook. Namibia’s economic prospects hinge on improved agricultural yields, rising uranium production and renewed activity in mining, exploration and infrastructure.  The anticipated final investment decision (FID) by global oil and gas companies could reshape the investment landscape. A positive FID could attract foreign capital, drive further investment and create opportunities across sectors. The group said robust monetary policy and improving consumer sentiment should support household…

Chamwe Kaira Nedbank Group Limited reported a 2% increase in headline earnings to R17.2 billion for the year ended 31 December 2025, describing the period as a transformative year marked by strategic restructuring, portfolio repositioning and balance sheet resilience. Headline earnings per share increased by 2% to 3 706 cents, while diluted headline earnings per share rose by 3% to 3 628 cents. Return on equity measured 15.4%, slightly down from 15.8% in 2024 but still above the group’s cost of equity. Revenue grew by 3% to R73.9 billion. Expense growth of 7% to R43.4 billion pushed the cost-to-income ratio…

Staff Writer Corporates continued to make net repayments in January 2026 despite lower lending rates and contained inflation, reducing overall credit uptake, according to Standard Bank Namibia economist Helena Mboti. Private Sector Credit Extension (PSCE) slowed to 4.2% year-on-year in January, down from 4.4% in December 2025. Mboti said the slowdown reflected subdued demand rather than tighter financial conditions. Business credit growth declined by 1.0 percentage point to 3.8% year-on-year in January. Household credit edged up by 0.3 percentage points to 5.8%. Inflation eased from 3.6% year-on-year to 3.4% in November 2025. Lending rates also declined under an accommodative monetary…

Staff Writer The Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) has concluded stakeholder consultations on the review and formulation of the standards regulations. The consultations took place in the Khomas and Erongo regions. They form part of a national process to strengthen Namibia’s standards and regulatory framework and ensure it responds to economic changes, technological developments and international regulatory practice. The current standards regulations were promulgated in 2013 after the Standards Act of 2005 came into effect. Since then, Namibia’s economic and regulatory environment has changed. Trade integration has increased. Industrial activity has expanded. Expectations for stronger regulation and market oversight have grown.…

The January 2026 money and banking data show that the credit cycle is slowing in an orderly way. Liquidity conditions are normalising on a seasonal basis. The monetary environment remains supportive of growth. Private Sector Credit Extension (PSCE) growth eased to 4.2% in January from 4.4% in December. Simonis Storm said this does not signal a change in the underlying credit trend. Corporate credit growth softened but remains positive in most major sub-sectors, except commercial property finance. Borrowing patterns still point to investment in productive assets rather than speculative activity. Household credit has started to improve after a long period…

Christopher Freygang There’s something almost magical about the early years of adulthood. Everything is new, everything is possible, and the future still feels wide open. But that same freedom can also make money feel like something you’ll “figure out later". It’s easy to think wealth is something older people build, once careers are settled and life feels less unpredictable. The truth is the opposite. Your younger years give you one of the most valuable financial assets you’ll ever have, and it’s not a fancy salary or an investment plan. It’s time. Wealth isn’t built overnight. It grows quietly, almost invisibly,…

Chamwe Kaira  Biosecurity has moved from a veterinary concern to a national economic priority as the risk of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) rises in Southern Africa, according to analysis by Simonis Storm. Recent outbreaks in South Africa’s Northern Cape, Botswana’s Disease Control Zone 6b and containment efforts in Zambia have increased the risk of cross-border livestock infections. Namibia’s border areas lie within a few hundred kilometres of infected zones. This places the country’s export-driven livestock sector at risk during a period of slow agricultural recovery. The livestock industry remains a key contributor to export earnings, rural employment and meat processing. Premium…

Staff Writer  Stakeholders have launched the national foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) task force and the FMD support fund to protect Namibia’s livestock sector, rural livelihoods and export earnings. The new mechanisms bring together government, farmers, unions and the private sector in a coordinated effort to prevent and respond to outbreaks. The livestock industry is valued at about N$15 billion and supports thousands of jobs across the value chain. Foot-and-mouth disease is one of the most contagious livestock diseases in the world. In Namibia, a single confirmed case in the FMD-free zone can shut down all beef and livestock exports.  With outbreaks…