Observer Money

Staff Writer Capricorn Foundation and its partners have launched the Agripreneurial Innovation Challenge. This is a national initiative aimed at supporting job creation and innovation in Namibia’s agriculture sector. The challenge is run in partnership with Basecamp Business Incubator, Network for Global Innovation and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. The programme provides a platform for early-stage innovators and entrepreneurs to test ideas.  It also offers mentorship and support to develop solutions that address unemployment, food security and sustainability. The challenge will run for four months. It combines learning, mentorship and practical support. It aims to equip participants with skills…

Chamwe Kaira  Sintana Energy Incorporated plans to list on the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX) as it moves to open investment opportunities to local investors. The company has appointed IJG Securities as its sponsor and corporate advisor. It has also started discussions with the exchange to be admitted for trading. Once listed, the company plans to explore ways to improve share liquidity for Namibian investors. The director of Sintana and chairman of Custos Energy Knowledge Katti said the listing is part of a long-term goal to increase local ownership in the energy sector. “It has always been my vision to see…

Chamwe Kaira  Ongwe Minerals Incorporated has completed all requirements for a dual listing on the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX), with trading set to begin on Wednesday. The company is a Canadian-listed gold exploration firm focused on finding and developing gold deposits in Namibia. Its primary listing will remain on the TSX Venture Exchange. Ongwe Minerals chief executive officer Dave Underwood said the listing strengthens the company’s presence in Namibia’s capital markets. “The dual listing of Ongwe on the Namibian Securities Exchange is a very important step in building Ongwe’s local Namibian capital markets presence. Ongwe is fortunate to have a…

Chamwe Kaira  The Bank of Namibia (BoN) says agriculture, forestry and fishing are expected to recover during the forecast period, supported by improved rainfall and better crop production. The central bank said in its March 2026 economic outlook that livestock production will recover more slowly.  This is due to herd rebuilding after earlier drought conditions forced farmers to reduce stock. The mining sector is expected to show mixed performance. Diamond mining is projected to remain under pressure due to weak global demand and lower production.  Uranium production is expected to stay high, supported by strong demand and prices, although growth…

Staff Writer Namibia’s listed banking sector is showing mixed performance, with some banks growing while others face pressure, according to Simonis Storm Securities. FirstRand Namibia reported headline earnings of N$1.066 billion for the first half of FY2026.  Return on equity reached 30.2%. Total assets declined by 2.6% after the bank exited its asset and liability management hedge. Key indicators improved. The net interest margin rose to 6.3%. The credit loss ratio improved to 0.4%. Non-performing loans dropped to 4.3%. The firm said the performance was supported by changes in funding. Franchise deposits increased by 9.4%.  Institutional funding fell by 26.7%.…

Staff Writer Market indices in Namibia and South Africa recovered on Tuesday after losses in the previous session, data from the Namibian Securities Exchange shows. The JSE all share index rose 1.10% to close at 119,795.83 points, recovering from a 0.45% decline recorded on 13 April. The index remains 3.42% higher than its level in December 2025, although still below its 2026 high. In Namibia, the overall index increased by 1.29% to 2,290.09 points, reversing a 0.15% drop in the previous session. The index has gained 6.95% since December 2025. The Local Index showed little movement, rising 0.06% to 827.78…

Chamwe Kaira  The Chamber of Mines of Namibia says the scale of the mining sector contraction reported by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) may be overstated. NSA reported that mining and quarrying contracted by 9.4% in 2025. The decline was driven by a 19.4% drop in diamond mining, along with contractions of 12.2% in metal ores and 14.5% in other mining activities. The Chamber said this does not fully reflect production trends. Gold output increased by about 5% in 2025, while uranium production rose by around 23%. These increases would usually offset declines in diamonds. Metal ores, including gold and…

Chamwe Kaira  The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) collected N$81.1 billion in net revenue for the 2025/26 financial year, exceeding its target of N$79.1 billion. The agency reached 102.6% of its target by 31 March 2026. Gross revenue collections stood at N$93 billion. After refunds of N$11.9 billion, net revenue reached N$81.1 billion. Revenue was mainly driven by Southern African Customs Union receipts and value-added tax. SACU contributed 26.0% of total revenue, amounting to more than N$21.1 billion. VAT followed at 23.6% or N$19.1 billion. Pay-As-You-Earn tax contributed 22.9%, equal to N$18.6 billion. Corporate income tax accounted for 18.4% or N$14.9…

Chamwe Kaira  Toyota Tsusho Corporation plans to join a rare earth exploration project in Namibia, marking a new step in the country’s mining sector. The project is led by Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, which has been working with Namibia Critical Metals Inc. since 2020 to explore the Lofdal area in the Kunene Region. The project has already confirmed the presence of heavy rare earth elements such as dysprosium and terbium. A preliminary feasibility study was completed earlier this year. Toyota Tsusho will now take part in the next phase of the project. The company will contribute to…

Chamwe Kaira  Simonis Storm Securities says Namibia’s ports are gaining from global shipping disruptions linked to instability in the Middle East. Rising risks in the Persian Gulf and attacks on vessels in the Red Sea have forced ships to avoid the Suez Canal. Many vessels are now using the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing traffic along Namibia’s coast. This shift is already benefiting Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. Demand for ship refuelling has increased, with Flex Commodities launching bunkering services at both ports to serve rerouted vessels. Namibia is also gaining ground as South Africa’s bunkering volumes…