Observer Money – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

10 Mar

Women entrepreneurs to drive Namibia’s economic future

Observer Money, Opinions

Hellen Amupolo Across the world, women are reshaping economies. According to global entrepreneurship data, women started almost half of all new businesses in 2024, marking a 69% rise since 2019. Sub-Saharan Africa now holds the highest female entrepreneurial activity rate globally at 26%, according to the Harvard University Centre for African Studies. This surge reflects extraordinary ambition, even as women continue to face systemic barriers. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, women remain 47% more likely than men to close a business due to family or personal pressures, and they continue to encounter challenges accessing finance and formal market networks.…

09 Mar

Oryx interim results lifted by Platz am Meer income

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Platz am Meer in Swakopmund made its first earnings contribution to Oryx Properties in the group’s interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2025. Oryx acquired the shopping centre on 30 June 2025. The company said the results were supported by disciplined capital management and the first-time contribution from Platz am Meer. The group increased its interim distribution by 11.4% to 58.50 cents per linked unit. Net rental income grew by 16.8%. The interest cover ratio remained at 2.2 times. Over the 12 months to 31 December 2025, Oryx recorded a total annualised return of 13.1%.…

09 Mar

Nictus expects higher first-half earnings

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Nictus Holdings Limited has advised shareholders that it expects higher earnings for the six months ended 31 December 2025. In a trading statement issued in line with the Namibian Securities Exchange listing requirements, the company said earnings per share (EPS) are expected to range between 62.65 cents and 74.39 cents for the period. This represents an increase of between 6.77% and 26.77% compared with the 58.68 cents reported for the six months ended 31 December 2024. Nictus said headline earnings per share (HEPS) are expected to be between 62.18 cents and 73.76 cents. This reflects an increase of…

09 Mar

Deep Yellow advances Tumas uranium project

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Deep Yellow Limited says it continues to monitor developments in the global uranium market as it advances its flagship Tumas uranium project in Namibia. The company said supply and demand imbalances and growing interest in nuclear energy remain key factors influencing the timing of a final investment decision for the project. During the six months ended 31 December 2025, Deep Yellow focused on its strategy to position itself as a diversified uranium producer. Work during the period included progress on the Tumas Project in Namibia, metallurgical test work and feasibility studies at the Mulga Rock Project in Western…

09 Mar

Hollard Namibia launches gap cover for medical shortfalls

Observer Money

Staff Writer Hollard Namibia has launched Hollard Gap Cover as private healthcare costs continue to rise faster than inflation and salary growth. Medical aid often covers basic healthcare costs but does not always settle the full cost of services. “When this happens, members may face shortfalls between what their medical aid pays and what healthcare providers charge, leaving families to cover the difference out of pocket,” the company said. The company said these shortfalls can become more common as healthcare costs increase and medical aid funds try to balance affordability and the sustainability of benefits. Hollard Gap Cover is designed…

09 Mar

NHP prioritises prevention to manage rising health risks

Observer Money

Staff Writer Namibia Health Plan (NHP), the largest medical aid fund in Namibia with about 80 000 members, says it will place a stronger focus on preventative healthcare to protect member health before illnesses become severe and costly to treat. The fund said it is seeing more cancer cases, including among younger people, as well as rising mental health conditions linked to stress. This approach forms part of NHP’s strategy to move beyond the traditional role of paying medical claims and to support members through early detection, wellness education, health risk management and timely intervention. NHP’s preventative healthcare programme includes…

09 Mar

JSE earnings exceed R1 billion in 2025

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The JSE Limited has reported record financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, with net profit after tax exceeding R1 billion for the first time. Net profit after tax rose 16.7% to R1.07 billion from R918 million in 2024. Headline earnings per share increased 17.7% to 1,328.9 cents from 1,128.6 cents the previous year. Earnings before interest, tax and depreciation increased by 15.5% to R1.38 billion. Return on equity improved to 22.0% from 20.2% in 2024. The exchange generated net cash from operations of R1.23 billion, up 12.3% from the previous year. The board increased the…

09 Mar

Geopolitical tensions expose economic vulnerabilities

Observer Money

It would be difficult to overstate the degree to which the global trading environment has deteriorated in early 2026. What began as a series of distinct geopolitical tensions – the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict, deepening US-China rivalry, and the steady ratcheting up of protectionist trade measures – has now converged into a single, compounding set of risks. The US-led military strikes on Iran in late February and Tehran’s subsequent declaration of war have added a volatile and unpredictable dimension to an already fragile global order. For a small, open, commodity-exporting economy like Namibia, these developments are not abstract. They transmit directly…

09 Mar

FirstRand says weaker dollar will support economies

Observer Money

Staff Writer FirstRand Limited says high commodity prices, a weaker US dollar and policy easing by the US Federal Reserve will support the macroeconomic environment in many of the countries where the group operates. The bank said this outlook remains in place despite geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainty in major global economies. In Namibia, the FirstRand Namibia Group owns FNB Namibia and RMB Namibia. FirstRand said the macroeconomic environment in South Africa is improving during the second half of the financial year. Progress on structural reforms continues, including measures that allow more private sector investment and the creation of more…

06 Mar

Bannerman cuts losses while preparing Etango project

National News, Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Bannerman Energy Ltd reported a reduced net loss before tax of US$853 000 for the half-year ended 31 December 2025, compared to a net loss before tax of US$2.7 million recorded in the same period in 2024. The company said the loss was mainly driven by corporate and administrative expenses, non-cash share-based compensation costs and a share of losses from an equity-accounted investment. The share of losses from the equity-accounted investment amounted to US$248 449, compared to US$99 532 in the previous comparable period. Interest income for the six months increased to US$2.42 million from US$2.26 million in…