Windhoek Observer

Chamwe Kaira Santam Namibia contributed N$675 million to the revenue of Santam Limited in South Africa for the financial year ended 30 June 2025, up from N$600 million in 2024. The group reported conventional insurance net earned premium growth of 16% to N$17.9 billion, with a net underwriting margin of 11.3% compared to 6.5% in June 2024.  The alternative risk transfer (ART) business recorded a profit before tax of N$417 million, up from N$326 million a year earlier. Santam said it delivered a strong first-half performance, exceeding long-term targets across key financial indicators.  An interim dividend of 590 cents per…

Chamwe Kaira The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has committed just over N$2.1 billion in development loans to the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) for the year ended 31 March. The funding forms part of DBSA’s ‘Rest of Africa’ portfolio, which recorded N$6.5 billion in loan commitments across several countries, including Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania and Senegal.  Namibia’s allocation highlights DBSA’s support for regional integration and infrastructure development within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). DBSA funding targets key sectors such as water, energy, transport, ICT and social infrastructure.  In July 2024, TransNamib confirmed it had met all conditions to…

Chamwe Kaira The takeover of Barloworld, which owns Barloworld Namibia, by Newco is awaiting competition approvals in Namibia, COMESA and Angola.  In Namibia, mergers are approved by the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC). “The filings in these jurisdictions have been submitted to the relevant authorities and the parties are working towards obtaining these approvals as soon as possible,” Barloworld announced. Barloworld and Newco announced the proposed deal on 28 February.  On 26 August, the Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority informed the two companies that it had unconditionally approved the implementation of the Newco offer.  “The parties therefore confirm that the standby…

Chamwe Kaira  The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has clarified that it supports the government’s plan to add value to minerals in the country. CEO Veston Malango clarified in an interview with Observer Money that the Chamber of Mines of Namibia supports local value addition to all minerals produced in Namibia to grow the economy and create jobs.  He said Chamber had already in June 2023 welcomed the cabinet decision on the understanding that cabinet was referring to the ban on the export of mineral ores, meaning ores of all the minerals mentioned in the cabinet decision. Malango said the…

Ian Coffee, an admitted attorney in South Africa who has worked in various legal roles in Namibia, says the new High Court rules on the selling of primary homes in execution may create confusion. Coffee has also been involved in legal immigration work for IBN Immigration Solutions.  He previously practised as a real estate agent and passed the Namibia Estate Agency board exam. In an interview with Observer Money, Coffee clarified that the recent regulations could potentially complicate the process of selling primary homes during execution. “The new High Court rules on the selling of primary homes in execution may…

Chamwe Kaira Paladin Energy, whose only producing mine is the Langer Heinrich Mine, has secured 13 uranium sales agreements with international customers. The contracts cover 24.1 million pounds of uranium oxide through 2030. The agreements, disclosed as of 30 June 2025, include fixed-price, market-related and base-escalated pricing mechanisms, mostly denominated in US dollars. Pricing references published spot and term uranium prices and may include floor and ceiling limits. Paladin said global demand is supported by existing reactors, new construction and life extensions in the United States and other countries.  “Commitments made at COP28 and COP29 to triple nuclear capacity by…