Observer Money

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…

Staff Writer Dischem Pharmacies Limited reported group revenue growth of 10.1% for the 24-week period from 1 September 2025 to 16 February 2026, compared with the same period last year. Chief executive officer Rui Morais said performance was supported by the rollout of the redesigned loyalty platform, Better Rewards, which launched on 21 October 2025. The programme uses technology and customer data to reshape value delivery in healthcare retail. Morais said the strategy behind Better Rewards was to increase discount effectiveness through higher boost penetration and to explore new ecosystem funding channels. The goal is to sustain investment in customer…

Chamwe Kaira Tin producer Andrada Mining Limited has secured a N$48 million advance under an expanded exclusive offtake agreement with Thailand Smelting & Refining Co. Ltd (Thaisarco). Andrada announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Uis Tin Mining Company (Proprietary) Limited (UTMC), has extended its existing offtake agreement with Thaisarco, first signed in November 2023. Under the new terms, Thaisarco will advance US$3 million, about N$48 million, to UTMC. The advance is unsecured and interest-free. It is repayable at UTMC’s discretion, except in specific default situations. The funds are expected to be received this week. In return, Thaisarco has been granted…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s offshore oil and gas discoveries are expected to shape investment expectations in 2026, but they are unlikely to bring immediate changes to the structure of the economy. Industry analysts describe the current period as one of positioning.  They say policy clarity, infrastructure readiness and final commercial decisions will determine whether discoveries move to production. Between 2021 and 2025, more than 15 offshore exploration wells were drilled in Blocks 2913B and 2913A. Operators included TotalEnergies SE, Shell plc, Galp Energia SGPS S.A., Chevron Corporation and partners such as Rhino Resources Namibia and BW Kudu Limited. Despite multiple discoveries,…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s fiscal position for the 2025/26 financial year shows growing pressure on revenue and rising debt, with limited room for policy adjustment in the short term. The government has revised its revenue forecast downward from about N$92.6 billion to N$89.4 billion after weaker-than-expected collections from major tax and non-tax sources.  By mid-year, revenue collections stood at about N$36.6 billion, or 41% of the revised target. This falls below the usual mid-year benchmark of around 50%, pointing to deeper revenue weakness. Transfers from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) remain volatile, making fiscal planning difficult. Mining revenues have also…

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has introduced a new pricing structure aimed at addressing high levels of risk aversion and limited financial participation in the country. Head of business and commercial banking at Standard Bank Namibia, Hellen Amupolo, said that although 78% of Namibians were financially included in 2017, many still avoid formal financial services.  She said 57.8% of adults avoid borrowing; nearly 70% remain uninsured due to affordability concerns and formal savings participation has fallen to 60%. Amupolo said these trends point to structural barriers that limit deeper participation in the financial system. She noted that Namibia has a…

Staff Writer Canadian gold producer B2Gold Corp, owner of the B2Gold mine in Namibia, has announced a leadership change. President and chief executive officer Clive Johnson will retire at the company’s annual general meeting on 4 June. He will also step down as a director. The board has appointed Mike Cinnamond, currently senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer, as the new president and CEO. Cinnamond will also join the board. Johnson has led B2Gold since it was founded in 2007. During his tenure, the company grew from a junior exploration firm into an international gold producer. It…

Staff Writer Bank Windhoek has appointed Deolinda Shikalepo as head of procurement, effective 1 January 2026. Shikalepo has more than ten years of experience in procurement. Her background includes contract management, compliance, supplier relationship management and tender administration. She has worked in financial services, manufacturing and fast-moving consumer goods. She progressed from operational procurement roles to senior leadership positions. In these roles, she oversaw high-value contracts, led tender processes and implemented cost-control measures. In her new position, Shikalepo will provide strategic direction and governance oversight for the bank’s procurement function.  She will manage the full procurement cycle, including sourcing, contracting,…