Windhoek Observer – Page 46 – Windhoek Observer

01 Oct

Protecting journalists is protecting the public’ – Iipumbu

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, says Namibia is building a national security framework that uses responsible innovation and international cooperation to protect its sovereignty and citizens.She made the remarks at the 2025 Conference of the Global Security Cooperation Forum recently held in Lianyungang, China.Iipumbu said Namibia’s vision is to create a public security system that is citizen-centered, data-driven, collaborative, and accountable.“Security must safeguard rights while calling all of us – institutions and citizens – to shared responsibilities,” she said.She pointed to measures already underway, including a training module on freedom of expression and…

01 Oct

Parliaments urged to strengthen oversight on climate and health action

National News

Moses Magadza in Johannesburg A call has been made for parliamentarians to strategically leverage their oversight powers to demand transparency and ensure that governments address the interconnected challenges of climate change, health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The programme manager for climate change, environment, health and SRHR at the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Munashe Tofa, made the call during a workshop on strengthening evidence-based policymaking this week. “Parliament embodies the sovereign will of the people. Its power to call the government to explain and justify its actions is the foundation of democratic accountability,” Tofa told participants…

01 Oct

Pension funds invested N$18.6 billion locally

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Pension funds remained the largest investors in the local market, with holdings worth N$18.6 billion in 2024. Domestic investments attracted the highest allocations, followed by the common monetary area and offshore markets. The increase in domestic assets was linked to regulation 13(2) of the Pension Funds Act, which requires pension funds to allocate a minimum of 45% of assets to the domestic market from 31 March 2029. “The focus on the local market prompted investment managers to rebalance their portfolios, shifting allocations towards fixed-income assets. This shift was largely driven by perceived illiquidity in the local equity market,”…

01 Oct

Tourism expected to generate N$4.6 billion in revenue

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The tourism industry is expected to expand by 5.5% in 2025, generating N$4.6 billion in revenue. Growth will be supported by targeted marketing campaigns and better international connectivity. Hotels and restaurants are projected to surpass 2019 levels during the third-quarter peak season, highlighting tourism’s key role in the services sector. Retail trade, which grew by 5.2% in the second quarter, is also likely to recover in the first half of the year if investment spending remains resilient, said Almandro Jansen, an analyst at Simonis Storm Securities. Jansen said Namibia’s challenge is to turn investment inflows and strong external…

01 Oct

Namfisa forces firms to pay N$11.8m for poor services

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Consumers received N$11.8 million from 87 complaints lodged against non-banking financial institutions with the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) in the 2025 financial year. The payouts dropped from N$14.7 million in 2024. NAMFISA said its intervention contributed to the decline. The largest recoveries came from pension funds with N$7.2 million, followed by long-term insurance at N$3.1 million, short-term insurance at N$1.3 million, medical aid funds at N$149 534, microlending at N$55 554, and capital markets at N$24 659. “Despite the decrease in almost all the industries when compared with 2023, the complaints against the long-term insurance industry,…

01 Oct

FNB builds strategy around oil and gas financing

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira FNB Namibia is positioning itself as an early financial partner to the country’s emerging oil and gas sector. The industry is expected to reshape Namibia’s growth outlook and create significant financing opportunities over the next decade. For FNB, this is a strategic move to expand revenues and diversify beyond its traditional retail and corporate lending model. “The ability to provide project financing, working capital, and bespoke solutions across the value chain could materially expand revenues,” said Max Rix, an analyst at Simonis Storm Securities. Rix said supply chain financing and cash-management solutions are likely to become critical for…

01 Oct

Five megatrends shaping the rise of nonbank finance

Observer Money

The global financial crisis of 2008 froze the financial system. Banks pulled back credit, families tightened their belts and companies laid off workers. It was a frightening time for everyone and an extremely difficult moment for the financial services industry. Today, the landscape of finance is quite different. Different types of investors and firms are providing businesses, consumers and governments with credit and liquidity. More than a billion more people have access to credit thanks largely to newer tech-based lenders. Families also have more options to finance purchases and to diversify retirement portfolios. Equity, fixed income, and derivatives markets have…

01 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | A noble gesture that will save lives: MVA Fund leads the way

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

This week, Namibia witnessed a moment of quiet revolution in the nation’s healthcare system. The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund’s donation of a state-of-the-art Lodox full-body X-ray machine to the Ministry of Health and Social Services marks not only a milestone for Katutura Intermediate Hospital but also a shining example of what can be achieved through public-private collaboration in addressing Namibia’s critical infrastructure challenges. Valued at over N$13 million, this generous gift is far more than a piece of medical equipment; it is a lifeline. Installed at the Katutura Intermediate Hospital’s emergency unit, the Lodox machine is the first of…

30 Sep

Trump’s Unesco exit ripples into Alte Feste renovation project

Main

Justicia Shipena The Alte Feste Museum restoration project in Windhoek was hit by a setback after the U.S. Ambassador’s Cultural Preservation Fund withdrew its grant. The withdrawal left a funding shortfall for the revival of the country's oldest building as a cultural hub for remembrance, arts, and heritage. In April last year, then U.S. ambassador to Namibia Randy Berry announced a grant of US$250,000 (about N$4.75 million) through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation. The grant was awarded to the Namibia Craft Centre to support the renovation of Alte Feste, a recognised heritage site under the custodianship of the Ministry…

30 Sep

Youth fund loans come with one year repayment holiday

National News

Justicia Shipena Prime minister Elijah Ngurare says youth-owned businesses financed under the newly launched National Youth Development Fund (NYDF) will be given up to 12 months before repayment begins. The fund offers startups between N$60 000 and N$200 000 at 2% interest, growth-phase enterprises between N$200 000 and N$1 million at 3% interest, and expansion enterprises above N$1 million at 4% interest. “A grace period of up to 12 months will allow businesses to grow before repayment begins. There are no collateral requirements. Let this be clear. The criteria is that the youth fund must be clear and must be…