Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Equity markets in Namibia and South Africa extended gains over the three trading sessions ending 25 February. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange All Share Index closed at 126,742.36 points on 25 February. This was up 1.26% on the day and 9.42% higher than its December 2025 level of 115,832.00. The index has traded between a 2026 low of 116,092.00 and a high of 126,742.36. On the Namibian market, the Namibian Securities Exchange Overall Index rose to 2,407.32 points on 25 February. It gained 0.91% on the day and 12.42% since December 2025. The index reached a new 2026 high…

Staff Writer The Africa’s Green Economy Summit 2026 opened in Cape Town this week, bringing together policymakers, investors and business leaders to focus on turning green ambitions into practical projects. Held under the theme “From Ambition to Action: Scaling Opportunities in Africa's Green and Blue Solutions,” the summit aims to accelerate Africa’s transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient economy. Organisers said the event is designed to move beyond discussion and promote deal-making and partnerships. The focus is on converting environmental challenges into economic opportunities. “Ambition lights the path, but it does not pave it. To transform our economies and uplift…

Chamwe Kaira  Major tax rate increases are unlikely in the 2026/27 budget, as broad hikes could weaken economic recovery in a low-growth environment. Standard Bank Namibia head of tax Adeline Beukes said the government is unlikely to raise tax rates sharply when finance minister Ericah Shafudah tables the budget in Parliament today. “In recent years, we have seen tax relief measures aimed at supporting consumers, including adjustments to personal income tax brackets announced by former finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi, as well as pension-related tax amendments that are still to be promulgated. Corporate tax has also been gradually reduced from 32%…

Chamwe Kaira  Trustco Group Holdings Limited has issued a further cautionary announcement to shareholders as it continues to assess the implications of new listing regulations on its proposed delisting. The company, which is incorporated in Namibia and registered as an external company in South Africa, said its board is still investigating the impact of the recently implemented Simplified Listings Requirements (SLR), which came into effect on 16 February 2026. In a SENS announcement released this week, Trustco referred shareholders to its earlier communications regarding the proposed delisting, including the most recent update published on 13 January 2026. In that announcement,…

Energy rang the opening bell at the London Stock Exchange on Tuesday. The company said the ringing of the bell was a milestone moment as it advances its portfolio amid rising industry momentum in the South Atlantic. - Photo: Sintana Energy

Chamwe Kaira Enoch Godongwana says South Africa has reached a turning point in managing its public finances. Delivering the 2026 National Budget in Parliament, Godongwana said the country had emerged from a period marked by state capture, credit rating downgrades, the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force. Public finances were under strain and economic growth had stalled. He said the government is committed to a reform agenda focused on stabilising debt, investing in infrastructure and improving the quality of spending. Gross debt is expected to stabilise at 78.9% of GDP in 2025/26 and…

Staff Writer Ultimate Safaris contributed more than N$18 million to community and conservation support in the Kunene region in 2025. More than N$10 million went to the Doro !Nawas Conservancy and the Doros Joint Management Area, a joint venture between the Sorris Sorris, Uibasen Twyfelfontein and Doro Nawas conservancies.  This included N$3 million in direct cash payments to conservancies through bed levies, N$6.7 million in salaries and employee benefits, and N$700,000 in conservation and community benefits. Ultimate Safaris managing director Tristan Cowley said the company is "extremely pleased to have been able to contribute in a way that is intended…

Staff Writer Nedbank Namibia has launched the 2026 Nedbank for Good Series, marking the return of its national golf initiative with a focus on agricultural development through sport. The series was first introduced in 2020. It has grown into a national platform that links golf tournaments to community support through charity partnerships. In partnership with Agra ProVision, proceeds from the tournament fund agricultural training in the northern, southern and eastern regions of Namibia. The programme also supports persons with disabilities. Agra ProVision became the beneficiary of the series in 2024. By the end of the 2025 edition, it had received…

Staff Writer Household purchasing patterns in Namibia are shifting as grocery prices and income limits change how people spend. A Windhoek-based basket tracking exercise, which monitors a fixed list of essential goods across major retailers, shows that the base price for groceries has moved higher. The exercise is not an official consumer price index, but it reflects what shoppers pay at the till, according to a study by Simonis Storm. In September 2025, the lowest-priced mainstream basket stood at N$978.58 at Shoprite Holdings Ltd outlets. It was the only major chain offering a basket below N$1000 that month. In October…

Staff Writer Spar Group Limited has announced the resignation of group chief executive officer Angelo Swartz, effective 28 February. Swartz has also stepped down as an executive director. Swartz served the group for 19 years and became Group CEO in October 2023. During his tenure, he focused on stabilising operations, simplifying the portfolio and strengthening the balance sheet. Chairman Mike Bosman said the board appreciates Swartz’s leadership and long service. He said Swartz guided the group through a period of complexity and change. The board said the company remains positioned to build on progress made and to accelerate execution of…