Observer Money

Staff Writer  The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) says the meat industry is retaining more value within the country as more livestock moves through formal processing systems. The union said about 84% of the livestock weight leaving farms in 2025 was slaughtered at local or export abattoirs. This is up from 52% in 2015.  The NAU said the increase shows a shift toward local value addition. It said the industry is building and keeping value at scale through an export-focused value chain that draws livestock into formal processing. The NAU says the value chain covers processing, packaging and distribution. It supports…

Chamwe Kaira  Nedbank Namibia managing director Martha Murorua says the collaboration with the Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) reflects a shared commitment to responsible capital mobilisation. NamPower, together with co-lead arrangers Cirrus Securities and Nedbank Namibia, has listed its N$5 billion domestic medium-term note programme on the Namibian Securities Exchange (NSX).  The programme provides a platform to issue different debt instruments, including green and sustainable notes.  It allows NamPower to raise funding on competitive terms for infrastructure projects under the programme. “Namibia’s energy future requires more than funding alone – it requires strong partnerships, clear governance and long-term thinking. Nedbank is…

Chamwe Kaira  The Namibian Securities Exchange (NSX) recorded about N$135 million in trading activity during the week of 13 to 17 April 2026, with financial stocks leading the market. Weekly statistics show turnover reached about N$135.0 million from 86 deals. This is an increase of about N$124.1 million from the previous week. The financial sector accounted for most of the activity, with over N$108.9 million from 54 deals. Real estate followed with about N$13.8 million, while consumer staples recorded around N$7 million. Consumer discretionary stocks traded about N$3.3 million. Basic materials contributed about N$1.9 million. Telecommunications recorded just over N$55…

Standard Bank has acknowledged that client data stolen in a cyber incident first disclosed on 23 March, “now appears to have been published” online, marking a significant escalation in what appears to be one of South Africa’s most serious financial services data breaches. The data involved includes client names; ID and company registration numbers; contact details; and account numbers, the bank said in an updated statement. A limited set of client credit card details, including card numbers and expiry dates, was previously confirmed as affected. CVV numbers were not compromised. The bank said affected cards were being proactively replaced and…

Chamwe Kaira  Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) has listed its N$5 billion domestic medium-term note programme on the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX). The programme was listed with support from co-lead arrangers Cirrus Securities and Nedbank Namibia. The N$5 billion programme allows NamPower to issue different types of notes over time, including green and sustainable notes.  The aim is to raise funding that matches its planned projects and financing needs. The listing followed two years of preparation. This included drafting the programme memorandum, securing legal and regulatory approvals, and working with the NSX. Cirrus led the document preparation for the listing. Nedbank…

Chamwe Kaira  The Namibia Deposit Guarantee Authority (NDGA) says its Deposit Guarantee Fund increased to N$40.1 million in 2025. The fund grew from N$30.3 million in 2024, recording a net increase of N$9.7 million. The head of the NDGA Florette Nakusera said the growth was supported by N$6.4 million in premium contributions from member institutions and investment returns. The authority’s investment portfolio recorded a return of 8.1% during the year.  This was above its benchmark, the Alexander Forbes Short-term Fixed Interest 3-month Index, which returned 7.3%. Nakusera said the performance reflects the authority’s investment approach. She said the results strengthen…

Chamwe Kaira  PSG Financial Services said its Namibian operations influenced its latest results, with growth in its insurance business held back by the sale of its Western Namibia unit. For the year ended 28 February 2026, the group reported that gross written premiums in its insurance division increased by 5% to N$8 billion.  It said premium growth would have reached 7% if the Western Namibia business had not been sold to Santam Namibia. The disposal generated a one-time profit of N$56.5 million and forms part of the group’s capital optimisation strategy. The group reported higher earnings for the period. Recurring…

Chamwe Kaira The Chamber of Mines of Namibia says the outlook for gold has strengthened as the country prepares to accumulate refined gold as part of its foreign reserves.  This follows a memorandum of understanding between the Bank of Namibia (BoN) and QKR Navachab Gold Mine. Under the agreement, locally mined gold will be refined at the Rand Refinery in South Africa before being purchased by the central bank.  The Chamber says this introduces a new source of institutional demand and reinforces the role of domestic gold production. Gold prices remained strong in February 2026, averaging US$5,019.97 per troy ounce. …

Chamwe Kaira Sanlam Life Insurance Limited has announced plans to issue notes under its ZAR12.5 billion subordinated note programme, in line with its updated programme memorandum. The programme allows the insurer to borrow up to N$12.5 billion from investors by issuing debt securities known as notes. The programme was first set up in July 2006 and has been updated in 2013, 2016 and 2021. It allows Sanlam Life to raise funding over time by issuing subordinated notes on a continuous basis.  The notes may be issued through one or more appointed dealers, depending on each transaction. Details of each issuance…

Chamwe Kaira Ninety One has reported an increase in assets under management to about N$4.1 trillion as of 31 March 2026. This is up from N$3.1 trillion a year earlier and N$3.8 trillion at the end of December 2025. The latest figure includes about N$395 billion from the transfer of Sanlam Investment Management’s active asset management business in South Africa. The transfer was completed on 1 February. Ninety One is expected to publish its full-year results for the period ended 31 March on 3 June. The transaction forms part of a partnership between Ninety One and Sanlam. The deal was…