Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team has called for stronger fiscal discipline and faster reforms to support Namibia’s economic recovery. The delegation, led by Xiangming Li, visited Windhoek from 16 to 20 March 2026 for its Article IV consultation. The IMF said further fiscal adjustment is needed to reduce public debt. It called for tighter control of spending, especially on recurrent costs, and better revenue collection. It also urged the government to contain the public wage bill through civil service reforms and to implement changes to the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme to reduce costs. The IMF…

Chamwe Kaira The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has confirmed that retirement fund lump-sum withdrawal rules will remain unchanged during the initial rollout of the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (Fima). Namfisa made the clarification after an engagement with retirement fund stakeholders on 23 March.  The meeting included fund members, officers and organised labour and focused on concerns about the new law. In a notice issued after the meeting, the regulator said current rules will stay in place. Members of pension funds, retirement annuity funds and preservation funds can still withdraw up to one-third of their benefits as a…

Staff Writer  Brand Africa has announced the launch of the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100), a new initiative recognising the 100 most impactful marketing, brand and reputation leaders shaping Africa’s global narrative, identity and economic progress. Namibia is represented on the list by marketing executive Tim Ekandjo, alongside a diverse group of leaders from across Southern Africa. The initiative is being rolled out in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD and the African Media Agency. The full list, along with detailed analysis, will be published in the April 2026 edition of African Business and across partner platforms. The ACMO100 builds…

Staff Writer FirstRand has announced changes to its banking structure, including the appointment of Lytania Johnson as chief executive officer of First National Bank. The changes form part of a restructuring aimed at simplifying the bank’s customer model. FNB has operated with separate retail and commercial segments, each with several subsegments.  The group said the size of these divisions now requires a simpler structure. Under the new structure, retail and commercial segments will be merged into a single retail and business banking division.  The unit will serve entry-level to middle-income customers and small and medium-sized businesses. Johnson, who leads the…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s non-banking financial institutions sector reached total assets of N$552.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) released its latest statistical bulletin, outlining trends and performance across the sector. The sector includes insurance companies, medical aid funds, retirement funds, friendly societies, capital markets and microlending institutions.  It recorded 1 193 active entities and 15 512 intermediaries at the end of the quarter. Assets grew by 4.7% compared to the previous quarter and by 16.6% year-on-year. Pension funds, long-term insurers and collective investment schemes accounted for more than 90% of total assets.…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) expects a constrained operating environment to continue in 2026, citing pressure from global supply costs, higher tax charges and lower volumes to South Africa after the expiry of its minimum supply agreement with Heineken Beverages on 30 April. The company released its financial results for the year ended December 2025, reporting growth across beverage categories and gains in market share. Net revenue increased by 4% to N$4.8 billion, supported by growth across categories and changes in product mix. Operating profit rose by 42% to N$830 million, driven by improved margins following the localisation of…

Chamwe Kaira The electricity and water sector grew by 12.6% in 2025, up from 2% in 2024, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). The growth was driven by the electricity subsector, which expanded by 14.9% compared to 3.3% in 2024.  The increase is linked to higher local electricity production supported by good rainfall in catchment areas for hydropower generation. The construction sector also recorded growth, increasing by 20.2% in 2025 from 3.3% in 2024.  This was supported by civil engineering works, mainly linked to electricity infrastructure, as well as increased building activity. The transport and storage sector slowed to…

Chamwe Kaira The Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX) recorded gains for the week of 23 to 27 March 2026, with the overall index rising by 2.76% to 2 127.37 points from 2 070.30 the previous week. Despite the increase, the index remains 0.65% lower than its level in December 2025. The local index declined by 0.10% to 817.63 points, although it is still 1.22% higher than its December level. Basic materials led the gains, rising by 5.92% to 727.00 points. The sector is now 1.61% higher than at the end of 2025. Consumer staples increased by 3.96% to 1 343.08 points…

Some of the large coloured diamonds that have brought in multimillion-dollar prices at auction in recent years.  “There have been fewer super-high-end sales in the past few years than what you saw 10 years ago, and that is just a statement of fact,” says Quig Bruning, Sotheby’s head of jewellery for the Americas and for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The reasons for the drop vary, from fewer elite buyers and a dearth of “wow” stones to collection hoarding, oversaturation, and a growing knowledge of prices.  However, the number of exceptional blue, pink and yellow diamonds on offer…

Staff Writer The fourth edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOGC2026) will take place in Windhoek from 19 to 21 August, with organisers launching the event brochure ahead of the conference. Since it started in 2023, the event has grown into a key platform for Namibia’s oil and gas sector, focusing on local participation, skills development and industry access. NOGC2026 is expected to attract more than 4 000 participants, over 150 speakers and 100 exhibitors. Delegates from more than 40 countries are expected to attend. The programme will include sessions on investment, local content, job creation,…