Observer Money

Staff Writer KPMG says organisations worldwide are moving past pilot projects and are now integrating artificial intelligence into core operations, according to its Global Tech Report 2026. The report, titled Leading in the Intelligence Age: Excelling Today, Shaping Tomorrow, shows that while the use of AI and other advanced technologies is rising fast, scaling them brings new challenges and uneven returns on investment. The survey covered 2,500 executives from 27 countries across sectors including automotive, retail, energy, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.  It found that 68% of organisations aim to reach the highest level of AI maturity by…

Chamwe Kaira The rollout of 5G technology is emerging as a key driver of Namibia’s ICT sector transformation, positioning the industry for faster growth, innovation and wider economic integration in 2026, according to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran). After a year of regulatory and technological progress, 5G is moving beyond faster mobile broadband to support new uses across transport and logistics, finance, trade, agriculture, health, education, mining and energy.  Cran says companies around the world are using 5G to improve efficiency, automation and security through private networks, a trend that is starting to take shape in Namibia. The…

Chamwe Kaira  Namport has reported record revenue and profit, citing a rebound in regional trade and steady growth in cargo volumes. The company said its performance reflects disciplined execution, resilient operations, and a recovery in trade activity, which lifted revenue and strengthened financial results. Operating profit increased by N$245 million, or 45%, to N$793 million from N$548 million in 2024.  Namport attributed the increase to sustained cargo and marine service volumes, as well as concession revenue of N$143 million recorded during the year. At the group level, total revenue rose by 12% to N$2.88 billion in 2025 from N$2.56 billion…

Chamwe Kaira  Namibia has announced an upcoming interest payment to noteholders of its NAM04 bond. According to an interest payment notification issued on 26 January 2026 and published on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE), the payment of R17.60 million is due on 2 February 2026. The bond carries a coupon rate of 10.51% and is identified by ISIN ZAG000138470.  FirstRand Bank Limited is listed as the debt sponsor. NAM04 bond is incorporated in Namibia and registered under number 1929/001225/06. The previous interest payment on the bond was made on 1 August 2025, also at a coupon rate of 10.51%, with…

Chamwe Kaira  Andrada Mining Limited has reported high-grade lithium results from surface sampling at its Lithium Ridge project in Namibia, boosting confidence in the project as exploration drilling continues. The AIM-listed tin producer is developing Lithium Ridge in partnership with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA through its subsidiary SQM Australia (Pty) Ltd.  The work forms part of an earn-in agreement under which SQM is funding a stage one drilling programme to earn a 30% stake in the project. Andrada said geological mapping and grab sampling across the licence area returned multiple high-grade lithium results at the surface. Several…

Chamwe Kaira  B2Gold Corp will release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results, together with its 2026 production and cost guidance, after the close of North American markets on 18 February. The Vancouver-based gold producer said its senior executives will host a conference call on 19 February to discuss the results and provide an outlook for the year ahead.  B2Gold is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, NYSE American and the Namibia Securities Exchange. B2Gold operates gold mines in several jurisdictions, including Namibia, Mali and the Philippines.  In Namibia, the company owns and operates the Otjikoto Mine near Otavi with…

Chamwe Kaira  Namibia’s vehicle market is expected to record steady growth in 2026, supported by improved credit conditions, lower interest rates and changes in regional vehicle supply chains. Vehicle sales eased slightly toward the end of 2025, but demand remained firm.  According to Simonis Storm, this points to a stable expansion in the year ahead rather than a slowdown. New vehicle sales peaked at 1 320 units in March 2025 before falling to 1 138 units in December, down 8.5% from November’s 1 244 units.  Despite the monthly decline, December sales were 13.8% higher than the 1 093 units sold…

Chamwe Kaira  Uranium prices strengthened through 2025 as supply remained tight and expectations for global nuclear power growth increased, improving the outlook for new uranium projects. The uranium spot price rose by almost 13% during the year to US$81.40 per pound at 31 December 2025. Term prices for newly negotiated long-term contracts increased to between US$86 and US$87 per pound, according to market data. Despite higher contracting activity, global utility term contracts remained below annual uranium consumption. This points to an ongoing supply shortfall. Analysts link rising demand to reactor restarts, nuclear expansion in countries such as India and Japan,…

Staff Writer Barloworld Limited has confirmed that its ordinary shares will be delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and A2X following the completion of a compulsory acquisition by Newco. The company said Newco exercised its rights under Section 124(1) of the Companies Act 2008 to compulsorily acquire all remaining Barloworld ordinary shares that were not taken up under the earlier standby offer.  The compulsory acquisition was completed on Thursday, 22 January 2026, with payment made in line with legal requirements. The delisting, first announced in November 2025, will take effect from the start of trade on 27 January 2026.…

Staff Writer Truworths International Limited has reported steady performance for the 26-week period ended 28 December 2025.  Truworths says it remains cautiously optimistic about its outlook for the 2026 financial year. The group, which operates in Namibia, South Africa and the United Kingdom, said retail sales for the period remained unchanged at N$12.5 billion, in line with the same period last year. Performance differed across regions. Office UK, the group’s UK retail business, recorded a 6.4% increase in retail sales in sterling terms compared to the same period last year.  Office UK contributed N$4.5 billion to group sales during the…