Chamwe Kaira
The Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund has grown to about N$478.72 million by the end of February 2026.
Since its establishment, the fund increased from USD 17.94 million (about N$323 million) to USD 30.09 million (about N$542 million).
The growth is driven by investment performance over time.
This development comes as the Bank of Namibia (BoN) took part in the 2026 Cirrus Investor Conference this week.
The event, hosted by Cirrus Capital, brought together investors, policymakers and market participants to discuss economic trends and investment opportunities.
Speaking at the conference, BoN deputy governor Leonie Dunn said the global economy is undergoing fundamental transformation.
She said central banks must do more than maintain stability and must also anticipate change, strengthen resilience and support growth in an uncertain environment.
Dunn predicted an improvement in Namibia’s economic recovery over the medium term. She stated that construction, utilities, and public sector investment would support growth.
She warned that risks remain in the agricultural sector. The outbreak of foot-and-mouth diseases in neighbouring countries could affect output and exports.
Dunn also pointed to inflation risks linked to global oil price volatility and local fuel price increases that took effect in April 2026.
She said these factors could affect inflation forecasts and may lead to revisions.
The central bank is working on reforms to modernise its financial system. These include an instant payment solution to enable real-time, secure and low-cost digital transactions and improve financial inclusion.
The bank is also implementing a gold acquisition programme to strengthen reserves and improve resilience during global uncertainty.
Work on the Central Securities Depository is ongoing. The system is expected to improve transparency, efficiency and liquidity in capital markets.
Dunn said Namibia is exposed to global uncertainty but not limited by it.
She said BoN remains focused on building a financial system that is resilient, inclusive and prepared for future challenges.
