Niël Terblanché
Less than a week after her appointment by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Finance and Social Grants Management, Erica Shafudah is set to present Namibia’s 2025/26 national budget to the National Assembly on Thursday.
Wilson Shikoto, the spokesperson for the finance ministry, said the prompt action stresses the government’s commitment to addressing the nation’s financial and developmental priorities without delay.
“The upcoming budget will delineate the government’s financial roadmap, encompassing revenue projections, expenditure plans, and borrowing strategies,” he said.
Shikoto said that it would also outline key priorities aimed at steering the country’s economic direction for the fiscal year ending 31 March 2026.
Traditionally, Namibia’s national budget is tabled in February or March, aligning with the conclusion of the government’s financial year, which runs from 1 April to 31 March.
This schedule facilitates a seamless transition into the new fiscal period, ensuring that public sector financial needs are met efficiently.
The forthcoming budget presentation follows the mid-term budget review delivered in October 2024 by then-Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi.
During that review, Shiimi reported a 1.89% increase in revised revenue, bringing the total to N$92.1 billion, and a 1.3% rise in revised expenditure, totaling N$101.38 billion.
The budget deficit was adjusted downward by 3.0%, which reflected the government’s efforts to balance fiscal responsibility with developmental needs.
At the time, Shiimi emphasised the importance of investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and implementing strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, especially in light of reduced economic growth forecasts due to a downturn in diamond demand and severe drought conditions affecting the mining and agriculture sectors.
Like previous years, all stakeholders and citizens alike will be keenly observing how the new fiscal policies build upon previous frameworks to address ongoing economic challenges and opportunities within Namibia.
