Observer Money

Early days for Swakop Uranium’s Zambian plans

Early days for Swakop Uranium’s Zambian plans

Chamwe Kaira Swakop Uranium executive president Irvine Simataa has confirmed a recent visit to Zambia by company officials. He described Zambia as a highly prospective and progressive mining region in the SADC. Simataa said the visit had two objectives. The first was on behalf of its majority shareholder, CGNPC Uranium Resources Company (URC), to meet with government, private sector, and other stakeholders for exploratory talks on possible partnerships to develop uranium projects in Zambia. The second objective was for Swakop Uranium to build technical relationships with Zambian mining peers operating mines similar in scale to the Husab Mine. This effort…
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Uranium supply faces mismatch

Uranium supply faces mismatch

Chamwe Kaira Deep Yellow, which is developing the Tumas Project in the Erongo Region, has released an update on the uranium market in a report titled Uranium Demand and Supply Equation – A Total Mismatch. Managing Director John Borshoff said China continues to show strong growth, the European Union supports nuclear energy, India is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, with nuclear as a key energy source, and the Middle East is advancing its nuclear ambitions. Borshoff said uranium supply has declined for over a decade. He noted that Kazatomprom appears to be in trouble, while Cameco…
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De Beers relocates its auctions business to Gaborone

De Beers relocates its auctions business to Gaborone

CHAMWE KAIRA  De Beers Group has announced that its auctions business has resumed operations following the successful relocation of the business’s headquarters from Singapore to Gaborone. The completion of this relocation unites De Beers Group’s global diamond trading activities in Gaborone, enhancing operational efficiency and supporting Botswana’s position as a major player in the global diamond value chain. With auction sales now being re-established, De Beers Group ran a small-scale trial event for Sightholder customers during Cycle 3. The event generated substantial interest, with a high number of customers viewing lots and participating, resulting in the majority of lots being…
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‘Koos’ Brandt retires from Bank Windhoek

‘Koos’ Brandt retires from Bank Windhoek

CHAMWE KAIRA  The board of directors of Bank Windhoek has announced the retirement of Jacobus Christiaan “Koos” Brandt as a non-executive director of Bank Windhoek. The group said Brandt retired from the board on 30 April, concluding an illustrious career of over four decades with Bank Windhoek and Capricorn Group Limited. Brandt is one of the founders of Bank Windhoek, leading the group of visionary entrepreneurs who established Bank Windhoek in 1982. He has served Capricorn Group and Bank Windhoek with distinction in various leadership capacities. Notably, Brandt was the chairperson of Bank Windhoek from 1982 until 30 June 2017,…
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GRN plans upgrades to roads, rail, and aviation 

GRN plans upgrades to roads, rail, and aviation 

Chamwe Kaira  Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, stated that his ministry aims to ensure the 2025/2026 budget delivers a modern and reliable transport infrastructure within its N$2.7 billion. The transportation development programme will include the construction of feeder and access roads, upgrading gravel roads to bitumen standard, road rehabilitation, and the development and maintenance of state-owned aerodromes. Nekundi highlighted the completion of several major projects, including the rehabilitation of 58km of the Windhoek-Okahandja road, transforming it into a dual carriageway from Brakwater to the intersection of Okahandja-Karibib and Okahandja-Otjiwarongo roads.  He also mentioned the completion of Phase 1…
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Recon expects 2025 to be successful

Recon expects 2025 to be successful

Chamwe Kaira  Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd has filed its annual disclosure documents for the nine-month period ending 31 December 2024. The company holds interests in exploration prospects under Petroleum Exploration Licence 73 in the Kavango Basin, Namibia. It is focused on the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin, covering parts of northeastern Namibia, southeastern Angola, and northwestern Botswana. In April 2024, ReconAfrica raised US\$17.5 million through a bought deal public offering. In July 2024, it raised another US$38.8 million through an underwritten public offering. In November 2024, the company completed drilling operations of the Naingopo exploration well. The results…
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Venus field development advances despite Marula setback

Venus field development advances despite Marula setback

Niël Terblanché The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) and its joint venture partners, TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and Impact Oil & Gas, will move forward with developing the Venus Field in Block 2913B, offshore Namibia.  This decision comes despite the recent unsuccessful drilling of the Marula-1X exploration well. The Marula-1X well lies about 47 kilometres south of the Venus-1X discovery. It was drilled to a depth of 6,460 metres, targeting Albian-aged sandstones.  No hydrocarbons were found in the primary target, and no drill stem test was performed. Victoria Sibeya, acting managing director of Namcor, said on Tuesday that a full analysis…
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Trustco’s N$593 million tax challenge against NamRA fails

Trustco’s N$593 million tax challenge against NamRA fails

Allexer Namundjembo The High Court has ruled against Trustco Group Holdings, dismissing its application to challenge two decisions made by the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) about its unpaid taxes. Trustco had argued that NamRA owed it N$136 million in VAT credits, which it wanted to use to reduce interest on its tax debt. Trustco claimed that NamRA owed it about N$136 million in VAT credits as of March 2020. Trustco further argued that these credits were related to VAT, withholding tax, and PAYE obligations, and that an agreement had been made to use the credits to reduce accrued interest on…
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Rethinking Corporate Social Responsibility as a Model to Fund the Noble Idea of Free Education in Namibia

Rethinking Corporate Social Responsibility as a Model to Fund the Noble Idea of Free Education in Namibia

Lazarus Kwedhi Namibian society emerged from a history of German colonialism and apartheid under South African rule, during which native Namibians were denied access to quality education and economic opportunities. Post-independence Namibia is founded on public values of non-discrimination, including the constitutional right to education. However, despite this right, many Namibians still face challenges in accessing education due to financial constraints and limited government support. Therefore, finding a sustainable funding model for free education is critical to relieving low-income families of the financial burden and enabling their children to reach their full academic potential. In her first State of the…
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Coca-Cola Relaunches “Share A Coke” Campaign in Namibia

Coca-Cola Relaunches “Share A Coke” Campaign in Namibia

Judith Wilhelm Coca-Cola brought back its popular “Share A Coke” campaign to Namibia, aiming to reconnect people through shared moments and meaningful experiences. The new campaign, titled Share A Coke Namibia, began with a vibrant launch under the theme “Painting Namibia Red.” According to Faith Nehanda, Coca-Cola Namibia’s Senior Manager for Frontline Marketing, this phase saw Coca-Cola transforming urban spaces with bright red campaign installations and rolling out in-store activities to get consumers excited. “This campaign is not just about a drink.It reminds us that memories happen when we come together and experience the real magic of human connection; those…
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