National News

Allexer Namundjembo Economists say Namibia's downgrade by the World Bank is not a death sentence and should instead be used to reset the country’s development path. This week, the World Bank reclassified Namibia from an upper-middle-income to a lower-middle-income country in its latest income classifications for the 2026 fiscal year, which runs from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.  Namibia was the only country globally to be downgraded. Economist Josef Sheehama said the downgrade was expected due to a decline in mining activity and the country’s overreliance on commodity exports. “Now we move from Export Concentration Risk Commodity to…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) has set a target to build 2 000 houses across the country by April 2026, focusing on accelerating affordable housing delivery. Speaking at the official handover of 30 housing units in Omuthiya on Tuesday, NHE board chairperson Toska Sem said the enterprise is committed to meeting the goal and has already started preparing. “The comprehension that 2 000 houses must be constructed by April 2026 has fuelled our resolve to stand tall and be counted. The task is clear, and being the state organ responsible for housing, NHE is ready to deliver with…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reminded regional governors not to fail in implementing government plans, stating that the promises  made during the election campaign remain unchanged. She was speaking on Wednesday at the induction workshop for regional governors of the eighth administration in Windhoek. She said it is her responsibility to ensure that the government delivers on the commitments set out in the 2024 Swapo party manifesto and its implementation plan, which has been turned into the sixth National Development Plan.  The plan will be launched later this month. “I am, therefore, accountable to the Namibian people, and you…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has received official accreditation from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as a direct access entity under the medium-sized project category. DBN’s chief of marketing and corporate affairs, Jerome Mutumba, announced the development this week following confirmation at the GCF’s 42nd board meeting held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, from 30 June to 3 July 2025. Mutumba said DBN is the first Namibian institution to be accredited by the GCF for medium-scale funding as a direct access entity, beyond those previously accredited only for grant funding. “The GCF accreditation marks a transformative…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Namibia on 9 July.  This will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the country in 27 years. The visit is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in diamonds, uranium, critical minerals, trade, and investment.  It comes as India moves to expand its access to strategic resources needed for its energy transition, electric vehicle production, and nuclear energy plans. Namibia, known for its reserves of marine diamonds, uranium, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, is becoming an important partner in India’s Africa strategy. Modi’s schedule…

Allexer Namundjembo Applications for the Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship Programme are now open, backed by an investment of N$25 million to support students from the Hardap and ||Karas regions, vice president Lucia Witbooi said.  Witbooi on Wednesday launched the third call for applications at Reverend Dr Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi Primary School in Gibeon, //Karas Region.  The funding will provide targeted skills training for young people, particularly school-leavers, unemployed youth, and individuals from disadvantaged communities.  The programme focuses on building skills aligned with Namibia’s green hydrogen plans. “Today’s occasion marks not only a significant investment in our young people but…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) has condemned a new U.S. visa policy that requires student and exchange visa applicants to make their social media accounts public.  Nanso says the rule threatens freedom of expression and political independence for Namibian youth. “It’s quite a terrible policy, because it takes away the right of self-expression of our students. Ideally, there must be separation between your academic, professional, and personal life and that must not be used against you,” said Nanso president Dorthea Nangolo in an interview with the Windhoek Observer. She warned that the policy could be used to…

Justicia Shipena  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) is complete and will be launched soon. Although she did not give an exact date, Nandi-Ndaitwah hinted that the plan will be launched this month.  “I will launch it soon because all the work is done. I expect you to be familiar with the seven priorities of our government. Similarly, I expect you to be familiar with the eight critical economic enablers to effectively champion development in your respective regions,” she said during the appointment ceremony of regional governors at State House on Tuesday. The launch comes after…

Justicia Shipena  Namibia has been downgraded from an upper-middle-income to a lower-middle-income country, according to the World Bank’s latest income classification update released this week. Namibia is the only country whose classification moved downward in the 2024 update.  The downgrade follows changes in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, which the World Bank uses to group countries into four categories, low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income.  Every year on July 1, the World Bank makes these updates using the previous year's GNI data and the Atlas method, which smooths exchange rate fluctuations. The World Bank said Namibia’s GNI per capita…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Grootfontein municipality says it will take firm action against shebeen and bar owners who violate noise regulations and public order laws.  This follows complaints from residents about growing lawlessness in the town. “We are concerned about the bars and loud music from bars. In fact, on Monday, we had a very serious meeting and we are going to take strict measures against shebeen owners and other places of entertainment that are not adhering to the laws,” said acting chief executive officer of the municipality, Indileni Lungameni. Lungameni said the municipality has approached the Namibian Police Force to…