Observer Money

Bread flour costs more in Khomas

Bread flour costs more in Khomas

The Zonal inflation rates for April revealed that, Zone 2 (Khomas region) recorded the highest annual inflation rate of 5,4%, followed by Zone 1 (Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi regions) which recorded an inflation rate of 4,8% and Zone 3 (//Kharas, Erongo, Hardap, Omaheke regions) annual inflation rate was observed at 3.9%. Analysis of the average retail prices of selected products for the month of April revealed that consumers in Zone 1 paid the highest price for white bread flour (2,5kg) at N$55,91, followed by Zone 3 at N$52,99, while consumers in Zone…
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Installed renewable capacity stands at 30%

Installed renewable capacity stands at 30%

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia has excellent renewable energy resources, however, installed renewable capacity in the country is just over 30% of total generation, the World Bank has estimated. The bank now wants to help Namibia to strengthen the power grid, which it says is critical to enabling the integration of more variable renewable energy sources in the system. The World Bank is now planning to help Namibia to minimize outage risks, support load growth, and unlock future opportunities for power trade in the Southern African Power Pool. The bank said the US$138,5 million project funding by IBRD Fund for Innovative Global…
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Namibia Asset Management profit to decrease

Namibia Asset Management profit to decrease

Namibia Asset Management (NAM) expects Earnings per share (EPS) and headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the six month-period ended 31 March to decrease between 15% and 25% (between 0.62 and 1.04 cents per share) when compared to the EPS (4.16 cents) and HEPS (4.16 cents) reported for the six month-period ended 31 March 2023. Fund management earnings per share (FMEPS) for the six month-period ended 31 March 2024 are however expected to decrease between 5% and 15% (by 0.15 and 0.45 cents per share) when compared to the FMEPS of 3.02 cents per share for the six month-period ended…
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B2Gold starts process to cut 550 jobs

B2Gold starts process to cut 550 jobs

CHAMWE KAIRA B2Gold Namibia has started the process that will see the company cut 300 jobs in 2024 and a further 250 jobs in 2025. The company has about 820 permanent employees. The company has termed the exercise ‘downscaling and retrenchments.’ Eric Barnard, the general manager at the Otjikoto Mine, owned by B2Gold said in response to questions by Observer Money that the process of job cuts is being done in phases so as not to cripple mining operations. The first phase will be voluntary separation, which will be followed by forced retrenchments. “The retrenchments are across the board, from…
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Usakos piggery to handle 14 400 pigs

Usakos piggery to handle 14 400 pigs

CHAMWE KAIRA Xeva Investment CC plans to invest in a new piggery facility at Usakos with a capacity to slaughter 14 400 heads of pigs as well as renovating the existing piggery facilities at the town. Acacia Enviro Consulting CC has been appointed by Xeva Investment Cc to act on their behalf in obtaining an Environmental Clearance Certificate to construct and operate the piggery facilities. The project aims to address a number of needs in Usakos and the Erongo region at large including that the piggery could reduce the need for long-distance transport of animals for processing, potentially lowering costs…
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Competition Commission to decide Osino deal

Competition Commission to decide Osino deal

The Namibian Competition Commission is expected to decide in the coming weeks the approval of the takeover of local gold mining company, Osino Resources Corporation by Yintai Gold Co. The deal is worth US$272 million. Earlier, Osino Resources Corporation announced that the company’s special meeting saw an overwhelming majority of security holders vote in favour of the takeover. Osino said the shareholders authorised the deal that will see the Yintai Gold Co acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Osino for cash consideration of 1.90 Canadian dollars for each Osino share. “The vote of Osino security holders in favor…
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Namibian diamonds remain with Anglo American

Namibian diamonds remain with Anglo American

The board of Anglo American has rejected a proposal from BHP Group Limited to take over Anglo American. Anglo American owns De Beers, which has several partnerships in Namibia with the government in Debmarine Namibia, Namdeb Holdings and the Namibia Diamond Trading Company. The proposal comprised an all-share offer for Anglo American by BHP, with a requirement for Anglo American to complete two separate demergers of its entire shareholdings in Anglo American Platinum Limited and Kumba Iron Ore Limited to Anglo American shareholders. “The board has considered the proposal with its advisers and concluded that the proposal significantly undervalues Anglo…
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Tjombonde approved as SBN chairman

Tjombonde approved as SBN chairman

Shareholders of Standard Bank Namibia have approved the appointment of Isac Tjombonde as the board chairman of SBN Holdings Limited and Standard Bank Namibia Limited with effect 1 April. The other directors appointed to the board are Josephat Mwatotele, Gerald Riedel, Erwin Tjipuka (chief executive (executive director), Siphiwe Themba Bruce Madonsela (non-executive director), and Arlington Tendai Matenda (chief financial officer). “The shareholders are hereby provided with the outcome of the votes, where shareholders via proxy voted on the following resolutions prior to the meeting. The total Shares in issue are: 522,471,910, and resolutions were voted on by 493, 863, 919…
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Sheep exports valued at N$97m in March

Sheep exports valued at N$97m in March

Namibia exported ‘live sheep, meat and sheep products’ valued at N$97,3 million in March which was mostly destined to South Africa. Over the entire period (March 2023 to March 2024), the value of ‘live sheep, meat and sheep products’ exported averaged N$72,5 million with the largest value of N$ 118,4 million recorded in April 2023 and the lowest value recorded in January 2024 at a value of N$32,6 million. On the demand side, Namibia imported ‘live sheep, meat and sheep products’ valued at N$ 200 000 during the month was mostly sourced from South Africa, the Namibia Statistics Agency said.…
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Momentum Metropolitan sees strong earnings growth

Momentum Metropolitan sees strong earnings growth

Momentum Metropolitan Namibia, a subsidiary of Momentum Metropolitan Holdings has announced robust earnings for the interim results six months ending 31st December 2023. The company said despite challenges, the group’s performance reflects resilience and adaptability, with solid contributions from Namibia. The results showed that the Momentum Metropolitan Africa experienced a notable increase in normalised headline earnings, reaching R284 million, a testament to the group’s robust performance. This growth was particularly bolstered by enhanced investment income from Namibia, showcasing the significant contribution of the Namibian market to the group’s overall success, the company said. Sakaria Nghikembua, CEO of Momentum Metropolitan Namibia,…
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