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Chamwe Kaira International reserves held by the Bank of Namibia rose slightly to N$51.8 billion at the end of March. Reserves increased by 0.1% on a monthly basis. The rise was supported by strong inflows of South African rand from commercial banks and customer foreign currency placements. At this level, reserves provided about 3.2 months of import cover, or 3.6 months when excluding oil and gas exploration imports. The reserves were about 9.5 times the currency in circulation. This is seen as sufficient to support the Namibian dollar’s peg to the South African rand and meet short-term international obligations. Money…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s mining sector contracted by 9.4% in 2025 due to lower diamond output, reduced metal production and weaker global demand but still generated N$64.18 billion in sales revenue. Launching the 2025 Chamber Annual Review in Windhoek, Chamber of Mines chief executive Veston Malango said the sector remained a key part of the economy despite global pressures such as geopolitical tensions, slower trade and uneven growth in major economies. Mining contributed about 14% to Namibia’s gross domestic product, remaining the largest contributor among primary industries. Malango said production trends varied across commodities, with uranium and gold supporting the sector…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s financial system remained stable in 2025, although global uncertainty and rising links between government finances and the financial sector continue to pose risks. The Bank of Namibia (BoN) and Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) released the April 2026 Financial Stability Report outlining conditions across the system. The report shows that risks in key areas, including the economy, household debt, public debt, banking, corporate debt, payment systems and non-bank financial institutions, remained largely unchanged during the year. BoN and Namfisa said external shocks, cyber threats and closer ties between government and the financial sector remain key risks.…

Staff Writer The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged African governments to place aviation at the centre of long-term economic planning, saying the sector supports trade, tourism, jobs and regional integration. IATA regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East Kamil Alawadhi said aviation should be treated as core economic infrastructure rather than a source of short-term tax revenue. He said policies focused on safety, cost control, sustainability, energy security and ease of doing business would support long-term growth across the continent. IATA said Africa has made progress in safety, but accident rates remain high.  The rate improved…

Staff Writer Global air cargo demand fell by 4.8% in March compared to the same month last year as the war in the Middle East disrupted key freight hubs and raised fuel costs, the International Air Transport Association said. IATA reported that total cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, declined by 4.8% year-on-year, while international cargo operations declined by 5.5%. Capacity also decreased by 4.7%, with international capacity down 6.8%. IATA director general Willie Walsh said the decline was driven by disruptions at major Gulf transit hubs as the conflict affected airline routes and cargo flows. He said the usual…

Ashante Manetti The run of public holidays coming up has quietly become one of the most expensive periods of the year. Not because it has to be, but because it often feels like it should be. Long weekends, family days, national commemorations and time off all arrive close together. With them come new outfits, full tables, travel plans, treats, gifts and carefully curated moments that feel expected rather than chosen. Somewhere along the way, meaningful breaks turned into an unspoken spending race. The pressure rarely comes from one place. It builds slowly through family expectations, community habits, WhatsApp groups, social…