Offshore oil, gas sector continues to attract international interest

Offshore oil, gas sector continues to attract international interest

Staff Writer Namibia’s offshore oil and gas sector continues to attract international interest, with the latest hydrocarbon licence map showing growing exploration activity across the country’s coastal basins and frontier areas. Data from the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) shows existing petroleum exploration licences, production areas and blocks that are either open or under application. Several international oil companies currently hold exploration licences in Namibia.  These include Shell Exploration & Production, TotalEnergies, Chevron Namibia, ExxonMobil, Galp Energia and Rhino Resources. Other licence holders include ReconAfrica, Tower Resources, Eco Atlantic, Pancontinental Energy and…
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Bannerman-CNOL deal secures funding and offtake for Etango

Bannerman-CNOL deal secures funding and offtake for Etango

Chamwe Kaira  Bannerman Energy and CNNC Overseas Limited (CNOL) have signed an agreement to advance the Etango uranium project, securing both funding and long-term uranium offtake for the development. Under the agreement, CNOL will receive a life-of-mine entitlement to 60% of Etango’s yellowcake uranium production, while Bannerman will independently market the remaining 40%. The uranium supplied to CNOL will be priced using a combination of spot and term uranium price indices. The companies said the agreed payment and delivery terms are expected to improve working capital efficiency and support project value. The Etango project is one of Namibia’s major uranium…
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Xenophobia or Afrophobia, in South Africa: The convenient scapegoats and political diversion from the unfinished battle for economic liberation & sovereignty

Xenophobia or Afrophobia, in South Africa: The convenient scapegoats and political diversion from the unfinished battle for economic liberation & sovereignty

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Every time an African burns the shop of another African while corporate power continues extracting wealth from African soil, the architecture of colonialism survives a little longer. That is the tragedy unfolding in South Africa today. The violence directed at African migrants is often presented as a crisis of criminality, border control, or social frustration. But beneath the smoke of burnt shops and angry slogans lies a deeper and more uncomfortable reality that millions of people are angry for legitimate reasons, yet much of that anger is being redirected toward…
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FNB expects monetary policy to remain unchanged 

FNB expects monetary policy to remain unchanged 

Staff Writer  FNB Namibia expects the Bank of Namibia (BoN) to keep the repo rate mostly unchanged in 2026 as inflation risks, weak economic growth and exchange rate volatility continue to pressure the economy. FNB Namibia market research manager, Mandisa Van Wyk, said the need to protect the currency peg and maintain adequate import cover limits the room for interest rate cuts, despite support for reserves from mining inflows. “The need to safeguard the currency peg and maintain adequate import cover limits scope for easing, despite temporary support to reserves from mining-related inflows. Monetary policy is therefore likely to remain…
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Why building wealth is no longer optional

Why building wealth is no longer optional

Johannes Nghishidimbwa We are living in a defining moment, one that demands more from our generation than ever before. Ours is not just a generation of ambition; it is a generation that must be intentional about winning, not by chance, but by design. Consider a young professional, just a few years out of college, balancing rising rent payments, student loans, and a desire to build a life of meaning and security.  With every pay cheque quickly spoken for, the pressure to get ahead feels constant, and the risk of falling behind is real. These challenges are not unique; they are…
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Fuel stations ordered to refill vehicles only

Fuel stations ordered to refill vehicles only

Justicia Shipena  Refuelling into containers, drums and fuel cans is prohibited across the country for the next three months.  Industries, mines and energy minister, Modestus Amutse, announced the temporary restriction during a media briefing at the Government Information Centre in Windhoek on Thursday. Amutse said the move aims to stop panic buying and fuel hoarding following another sharp increase in fuel prices. “To support the continued availability of fuel across the country, service stations are directed, for the next three months, to only refuel directly into the customers’ vehicles. The filling of additional drums, cans, or other containers will not…
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Family appeals for help to save young stylist 

Family appeals for help to save young stylist 

Allexer Namundjembo  The family of 23-year-old Martha Uupindi is appealing to the public for financial assistance to help fund life-saving medical treatment in South Africa. Uupindi, a stylist and TVET student, was diagnosed in 2022 with very severe aplastic anaemia (VSAA).  VSAA is a rare condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells. The illness has forced her to pause her studies and step away from her beauty salon business, which employs five people. According to her brother, Goodman Uupindi, the diagnosis changed the family’s life completely.  Since then, Martha has depended on frequent blood transfusions…
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Namibia set to submit green investment plan in October

Namibia set to submit green investment plan in October

Justicia Shipena  Namibia is expected to submit its sectoral transformation investment plan (STIP) under the Climate Investment Funds Industry Decarbonisation Programme by October.  This is as the country pushes to unlock up to US$250 million (approximately N$4.7 billion) in concessional climate finance for low-carbon industrial development. The investment plan aims to attract concessional finance and boost support from development finance institutions, multilateral banks, and private investors. “This process is designed to help Namibia unlock catalytic concessional finance and crowd in further support from development finance institutions, multilateral development banks and private investors,” said Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme interim head Joseph…
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Home Affairs, NTB team up to improve visitor experience 

Home Affairs, NTB team up to improve visitor experience 

Justicia Shipena  The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at improving customer service standards and strengthening cooperation in the tourism sector. The agreement was signed in Windhoek on Thursday during the launch of NTB’s national customer service excellence initiative, known as Welcome Host. The initiative focuses on improving service delivery across the tourism sector and creating better experiences for visitors entering Namibia. NTB chief executive officer Sebulon Chicalu said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving tourism services and positioning Namibia as a leading…
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RFIN urges caution as Fima takes effect 

RFIN urges caution as Fima takes effect 

Allexer Namundjembo The Retirement Funds Institute of Namibia (RFIN) has cautioned that the implementation of the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (Fima) must be carefully managed to avoid legal and operational problems in the financial sector. The act, together with the Namfisa Act, officially came into effect on 1 May after determinations by the finance minister and publication in the government gazette. The legislation introduces a new regulatory framework for the non-banking financial sector. Namfisa stated that the framework aims to enhance consumer protection, financial stability, and market confidence. RFIN, however, said some technical provisions under Fima have not yet…
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