Observer Money

Luandro Steyn  Retirement is something many people still believe they will “figure out when the time comes.” But this mindset is becoming increasingly dangerous in a world where life expectancy is rising, the economy is unpredictable, and responsibility for retirement income continues to shift from institutions to individuals.  As Namibians, we can no longer afford to treat retirement planning as an afterthought. We must place financial literacy at the centre of how we prepare for the future. The conversation about retirement needs to evolve urgently. For previous generations, retirement came with a predictable income. Today, many retirees rely on market-linked…

Chamwe Kaira Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) has announced a new strategy aimed at shifting the company from a traditional mobile operator to a regional digital powerhouse. MTC's managing director Licky Erastus unveiled the plan on Monday during the presentation of the 2025 annual results. He said the company has identified seven key pillars to protect its core business and expand into new digital markets. The roadmap focuses on protecting mobile revenue, winning the home market, growing enterprise services, building digital platforms, scaling fintech solutions, establishing a national data centre and expanding into local and regional markets.  Erastus said the strategy…

Staff Writer FNB Namibia Retail has appointed Mbo Luvindao as its new chief executive officer.  Luvindao steps into the role with more than 20 years of senior and executive leadership experience in Namibia’s banking and financial services sector. He began his career at Bank Windhoek, where he held several leadership roles, including head of the SME segment. He later joined NamPost as executive for financial services, where he led the Savings Bank and helped shape and implement the organisation’s strategy. Before joining FNB, Luvindao served as chief commercial officer at Letshego Bank Namibia.  He was responsible for driving the bank’s…

Staff Writer Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) has reported strong financial results for the 2025 financial year, supported by favourable operating conditions and ongoing strategic investments. Financial analyst Max Rix from Simonis Storm rated the stock a “measured buy,” pointing to its attractive valuation and strong cash flows, but also noting growing competitive pressure. MTC’s total income rose to N$3.71 billion, an increase of 14 to 15% year-on-year. The prepaid segment performed well, with subscriber numbers rising by 4.3% and average revenue per user growing by 14.6%. This lifted mobile revenue at a time when prepaid markets in many emerging economies…

Staff Writer The first week of December has been unusually active on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX), with listed companies reporting major share trades, corporate governance shifts and updates to executive incentive plans. Capricorn Group Limited confirmed a significant on-market transaction involving one of its directors.  Marthinus Johannes Prinsloo sold 385,347 ordinary shares on 5 December at N$26 per share, a transaction valued at just over N$10 million.  The group said the sale was direct and beneficial and that Prinsloo had received the necessary clearance in line with Namibian Securities Exchange rules. Global mining company Anglo American also issued a…

Staff Writer Trustco Group Holdings has rejected an attempt by the Riskowitz Value Fund (RVF) to replace the company’s board, after a regulatory review process failed to proceed. The matter began on 20 November when RVF issued a notice under Section 189 of Namibia’s Companies Act. The notice sought the removal of the current board and proposed five new directors: Grant Pattison, Dee Sauls-Deckenbrock, Jerome Davis, Sepo Haihambo and Robert Hutchinson-Keip. The move prompted Trustco to seek an independent legal opinion on whether the notice met statutory requirements for a publicly listed company. As a dual-listed entity on the JSE…

Chamwe Kaira Mobile Telecommunications Company's (MTC) profit after tax for the year ended 30 September 2025 rose to N$1.02 billion, up from N$772.9 million in 2024. MTC said the increase reflects strong execution across mobile, fixed broadband, enterprise, and digital services. Earnings per share grew to 136.37 cents, with headline earnings per share showing the same rise. Total income increased by 14.24% to N$3.71 billion, driven by higher demand for high-speed data and value-added mobile services. Prepaid subscribers grew by 4.3% after successful SIM registration campaigns, and prepaid ARPU increased by 14.6%. Improved postpaid products helped protect core revenue, while…

Chamwe Kaira The board of directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a Country Strategy Paper for Namibia, committing US$1.78 billion (about N$33.4 billion) to support economic transformation and inclusive growth from 2025 to 2030. The funding aims to drive job creation and economic diversification at a time when Namibia faces a high youth unemployment rate of more than 40% and a drop in per capita income from US$5 942 (about N$111 500) in 2012 to US$4 240 (about N$79 500) in 2024. The group’s deputy director general for Southern Africa and country manager for Namibia, Moono Mupotola,…

Chamwe Kaira Fuel prices are expected to put upward pressure on inflation after the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy increased pump prices by 21% per litre in December. The rise follows higher global crude oil prices and refinery constraints. Almandro Jansen of Simonis Storm said housing inflation is also expected to remain firm due to long-standing supply shortages and municipal tariff adjustments. Economists project inflation to average between 3.7% and 3.9% in 2025, rising toward 4% in 2026 as fuel and utility prices settle at higher levels. They warn that currency volatility, logistics costs and global supply conditions could…

Chamwe Kaira As Paratus Namibia marks its 20th anniversary, managing director Andrew Hall reflected on how the company began with a small team aiming to change the country’s digital future. What started as Internet Technologies Namibia (Pty) Ltd has grown into a major connectivity provider now preparing to enter the mobile network market. After a successful rights issue in May 2024, Paratus began one of its largest network expansions. The nationwide roll-out of its Radio Access Network and the growth of its retail footprint to 18 outlets led to strong customer uptake across its services. Fibre connections grew by 34%,…