National News

Financial sector misses local ownership target by 5%

Financial sector misses local ownership target by 5%

Justicia Shipena  The financial sector has underperformance in several areas, with local ownership and control reaching only 20% against a target of 25% in the last ten years.  This shortfall indicates limited local participation in the financial system and highlights ongoing challenges in empowering domestic stakeholders and businesses. Bank of Namibia (BoN) governor Johannes !Gawaxab acknowledged the gap at the launch of the Financial Sector Transformation Strategy for 2025–2035. The strategy, developed by the BoN, the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa), and the Ministry of Finance, aims to address gaps in the financial system, particularly in rural and informal…
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NA speaker defends gender focus in climate policy

NA speaker defends gender focus in climate policy

Hetta-Maria Amutenja  The speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, says Namibia's climate policy recognises that women and children, especially in rural areas, are hit harder by climate change. Speaking at the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament in Geneva on Monday, she emphasised that while climate change affects everyone, its impacts are unequal.  "While climate change itself may be indiscriminate in its occurrence, its impacts are far from equal. Pre-existing gender inequalities shape how climate change is experienced," she said. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila noted that women and children in rural areas bear the brunt of climate impacts, particularly regarding agriculture,…
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Supreme court clears sale of Anga Enterprises’ bonded properties

Supreme court clears sale of Anga Enterprises’ bonded properties

Justicia Shipena  The Supreme Court has overturned a High Court decision that delayed the sale of bonded commercial properties in the case involving Nedbank Namibia and Anga Enterprises CC.  The ruling follows Nedbank’s appeal against the High Court’s temporary suspension of the sale of properties used as collateral for a loan of more than N$7.8 million. In 2022, Nedbank obtained a default judgment against Anga Enterprises and its owners. The bank later applied to declare four commercial properties executable. The properties were not primary residences but used for business purposes. The High Court granted the application but ordered a six-month…
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Shanghala requests court to void fishrot case rulings

Shanghala requests court to void fishrot case rulings

Allexer Namundjembo  Fishrot accused and former justice minister Sacky Shanghala has filed an application before the High Court to have all rulings made by former acting judge Moses Chinhengo in the fishrot case declared void.  Shanghala argues that Chinhengo’s appointment was unconstitutional, which would render all his decisions in the matter invalid. Appearing before Judge Hannelie Prinsloo on Monday, Shanghala submitted that Chinhengo’s appointment did not comply with the constitutional procedures outlined in Article 82 and should therefore be set aside.  He claimed that the appointment was made under the wrong sub-article and lacked legal standing from the outset. Shanghala…
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Govt targets 15% local oil share by 2030

Govt targets 15% local oil share by 2030

Justicia Shipena  In the next five years, the government plans to increase carried participation from 10% to 15%. This goal is outlined in the recently launched sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which sets 2030 as the deadline. The goal is to empower citizens and local corporations to actively participate in the petroleum sector.  The plan also includes goals to produce 150 million barrels of oil equivalent, increase gas production to 130 million standard cubic feet per day, and create 22,800 jobs by 2030.  Recent reports show that Namibia collected N$5.96 billion ($309 million) in royalties from mining activities over the…
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​​PWC audit flagged irregularities in Namcor payment arrangements

​​PWC audit flagged irregularities in Namcor payment arrangements

Hertta-Maria Amutenja An audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) flagged questionable financial practices at Namcor.  It highlighted irregular payment arrangements with Enercon Namibia (Pty) Ltd, the company at the centre of a N$53 million fuel supply deal. The audit was presented during the ongoing bail application of former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga and eight others in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court. State prosecutor Basson Lilungwe told the court that the PWC audit uncovered accounts exceeding credit limits, unusual balances, and questionable payment terms.  The state revealed that Enercon was allowed to accumulate a fuel debt of N$108 million, despite having a formal…
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Foreign meddling threatens Africa – NNN

Foreign meddling threatens Africa – NNN

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for stronger alliances and collective strategies to resist economic exploitation and foreign-backed calls for regime change.  Speaking at the Liberation Movements Summit in Johannesburg on Sunday, she urged sister parties to stand united against external interference targeting Africa's political stability. "We must share with each other strategies on confronting the evil calls for regime change in our respective countries by some foreign forces through opposition parties and civil society," Nandi-Ndaitwah said. The summit, held under the theme "Defending the Liberation Gains, Advancing Integrated Socio-Economic Development, Strengthening Solidarity for a Better Africa," brought together…
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Digital access up by 6% in two years

Digital access up by 6% in two years

Allexer Namundjembo  Namibia's ICT Development Index (IDI) score rose from 68% in 2023 to 73.2% in 2025, according to the latest IDI report, released by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).  The 6% rise reflects an increase  in the country's digital connectivity.The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) said this growth highlights progress in connectivity levels. The IDI measures Universal and Meaningful Connectivity (UMC) across 164 member states using 2023 data. UMC includes access, affordability, digital literacy, and network qualitym                                           …
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PM’s openness shakes mental health taboo

PM’s openness shakes mental health taboo

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Prime minister Elijah Ngurare has received  support from public figures after he shared that he once considered suicide during a period of financial hardship. Ngurare made the revelation last week on social media, saying that between 2015 and 2019, he was under severe financial stress and nearly lost both his house and car due to nonpayment.  During that time, he said the thought of suicide crossed his mind in the hope that his life cover would settle his debt and support his family. “Thanks to the support of family, friends and comrades, I managed to thwart those thoughts.…
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MUN members to receive retirement support

MUN members to receive retirement support

Justicia Shipena  Mineworkers will soon benefit from a new Retirement Incentive Benefit, set to take effect on 1 August 2025.  The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) announced the initiative during its second regional roundtable discussion in Oranjemund, ǁKaras Region. The benefit will be available to members who are at least 60 years old and have been with MUN for a minimum of five years. MUN general secretary George Ampweya said the initiative fulfils a resolution passed at the 2010 Congress and is part of the union’s efforts to recognise long-serving members. The roundtable brought together union leaders, members, and experts…
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