Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira  The City of Windhoek has warned that changes in property valuations may affect municipal bills and could result in backdated charges if updates are not submitted on time. The city said property valuations are carried out to ensure accurate billing.  A general valuation takes place every five years, while interim valuations are done when changes occur. Any change in property value may increase monthly municipal bills. If updates are delayed, charges may be applied from an earlier date. The city said charges affected include rates on land, property improvements and waste management fees. Several factors can trigger a…

Erastus Tshatumbu Namibia enters April facing a fuel price increase that is not domestic in origin, nor part of routine market adjustments. It is the direct consequence of a global shock. In March, the Iran conflict shut down traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel that moves roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil.  When that artery closed, global supply tightened almost instantly. Brent crude jumped from about US$65 to around US$100 per barrel in a matter of weeks, a 54% surge that pushed energy-importing economies into defensive mode. Namibia is one of them.  As a result, the latest…

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia (BoN) declared a dividend of N$200 million to the government for the 2025 financial year, down from N$720 million in 2024. The decline comes despite the central bank maintaining price and financial stability. BoN governor Ebson Uanguta said the bank achieved a 97.6% strategy execution rate in 2025 under its 2025–2027 Strategic Plan. The annual report said 2025 was marked by global uncertainty, with rising risks, changing technology and volatile commodity prices affecting central banks. Namibia remained exposed to external shocks such as changes in trade, demand and capital flows. Slower global growth also…

Chamwe Kaira Remgro has entered into an agreement with Investment Holding Limited, a subsidiary of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, to restructure their joint interests in Mediclinic Holdings. The agreement, announced on 30 March 2026, will see Remgro take full ownership of the Southern African business, known as the MCSA Group, which includes operations in Namibia. Investment Holding Limited will take full control of the Swiss-based Hirslanden Group. The transaction is valued at about US$950 million for each side. It involves Remgro exchanging its 50% stake in the Swiss business for Investment Holding Limited’s 50% stake in the Southern African operations.…

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…