Observer Money

Staff Writer  Mineral price movements in September suggest that inflation and rising interest rates may be starting to temper price gains, while Namibia’s mining output declined in August, according to the September 2026 Monthly Mining Update by the Chamber of Mines of Namibia. Higher year-to-date mineral prices and positive long-term demand fundamentals nevertheless remain supportive of the sector's outlook. The ongoing war in the Middle East continues to put upward pressure on fuel prices, with the average price of Brent crude reaching US$116.8 per barrel in September, an increase of 28.5% from August. In Namibia, headline inflation rose to 5.4%…

Staff Writer  Old Mutual Namibia has announced the appointment of Alovise Frey as general manager for finance and operations for the Old Mutual Investment Group Namibia (OMIGNAM), effective 1 October. Frey joins Old Mutual Namibia with more than 12 years of experience across finance, risk management, credit, compliance, audit and taxation, having built a distinguished career within Namibia's banking sector. Prior to joining Old Mutual Namibia, she served as head of finance for the commercial banking segment at FNB Namibia, where she provided strategic financial leadership, guided key business decision-making processes and served on several executive and governance committees. Her…

CHAMWE KAIRA The country’s fiscal deficit is projected to widen to 6.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2026/27 financial year, driven by a N$2.1 billion revenue shortfall, rising debt-servicing costs and economic pressures from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and El Niño. This is according to a Mid-Year Budget Review preview by Simonis Storm analyst Almandro Jansen, which forecasts that the government’s planned return to a primary budget surplus will give way to a primary deficit of 0.7% of GDP. The minister of finance is expected to present the mid-year budget review before the end of October. Simonis Storm projects…

Staff Writer  Bank Windhoek says in the new financial year, it will continue to raise market awareness of available financing and accelerate progress towards the N$300 million target. Bank Windhoek’s chief treasurer, Ian Erlank said through this focused approach, Bank Windhoek aims to remain the financier of choice for sustainability-linked opportunities and will continue to explore avenues to enhance its offerings. Bank Windhoek says it views Namibia’s economic growth and development as a core priority.  The bank says it recognises that enduring prosperity requires integrating environmental and social considerations alongside traditional economic objectives, thereby strengthening long-term resilience, value creation and…

CHAMWE KAIRA Elevate Uranium Limited has increased its global uranium mineral resource inventory to 181 million pounds of uranium oxide (U₃O₈), following resource drilling in Namibia and Australia and progress at its U-pgrade pilot plant in the Erongo region. The Australian-listed uranium exploration company said the pilot plant’s first four processing stages rejected 88% of the original waste mass while recovering 79% of the uranium into the final circuit feed. The fifth stage, a uranium flotation circuit designed to increase concentrate grades to 5 000 parts per million of U₃O₈, was commissioned in August 2026, with analysis underway. Elevate said…

Staff Writer  Protecting livestock and the livelihoods they sustain will take centre stage at the 2026 Bank Windhoek Agriculture Series on Friday, 30 October 2026.  Held under the theme “Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Safeguarding Herds and Sustainable Livelihoods,” the event will bring together leading experts and agricultural stakeholders to discuss practical responses to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and its impact on Namibia and Southern Africa’s agricultural sector.  The discussion follows the confirmation of FMD in the Karasburg State Veterinary District in the //Kharas Region on 23 September. According to an update from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, 131 animals…

Staff Writer  Paratus Namibia Holdings Limited director Schalk Erasmus has sold 10 440 ordinary shares in the company for N$128 934. The on-market transaction took place on 14 October 2026 at N$12.35 per share, according to a disclosure. The shares represented Erasmus’s direct beneficial interest in the company. The filing stated that the necessary clearance for the transaction had been obtained. Paratus Namibia Holdings is listed on the NSX under the share code PNH. Meanwhile, Anglo American executives acquire shares under incentive plan. Anglo American owns De Beers, which is a partner with Namibia in Namdeb and Debmarine Namibia.  Eight…

Staff Writer  As climate change and biodiversity loss increasingly shape the global development agenda, the need for environmental literacy has never been more urgent.  Building resilient communities requires policies and infrastructure as well as informed citizens who understand the relationship between human wellbeing and environmental stewardship. This is why investments in environmental education are becoming one of the most important long-term sustainability interventions. Through the Nedbank Go Green Fund, which is facilitated by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), the bank continues to support initiatives that empower Namibians with the knowledge and practical skills needed to create a more sustainable future.…

Staff Writer  Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy is projected to grow by 4.5% in both 2026 and 2027, but rising inflation, expensive borrowing and declining foreign aid are clouding the region’s economic outlook, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In its October 2026 regional outlook, the IMF said economic growth remained resilient despite disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East, supported by adjustments in global supply chains, favourable commodity export receipts and reforms implemented by several countries. The projected growth rate for 2026 is 0.2 percentage points higher than the IMF’s April forecast, while the 2027 outlook remains broadly…

Staff Writer  Capricorn Group employees, through the Change Makers employee volunteer programme, returned to the Windhoek Mental Health Centre on World Food Day to enhance and maintain the Garden of Hope, a project established in partnership with the Centre in 2025.  The initiative forms part of Capricorn Group's ongoing commitment to creating positive social impact through employee volunteerism and community partnerships. The Garden of Hope was created as a space that promotes hope, growth, care and renewal for patients at the Windhoek Mental Health Centre. This year's outreach focused on building on the foundation laid by employees last year and…