Observer Money

One of Namibia’s green energy prospects, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy has signed non-binding Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with two major industrial companies with the aim of Hyphen providing them with up to 750 000 tonnes of green ammonia annually. The agreements with a major chemical company and Approtium, a South Korean hydrogen producer, are targeting offtake of up to 500,000 tonnes and 250 000 tonnes a year respectively. The agreements follow Hyphen’s recently signed MoU with RWE Supply and Trading (RWEST), the German multinational utility company for supply of up to 300 000 tonnes annually of green ammonia from 2027. Hyphen…

Nampower says since the commencement of the Green Hydrogen Project, the focus and impact of the combined magnitude of between 5 000 to 7 000 MW of renewable power to be generated for the project, as well as what may be available for off-take, have become critical considerations for its business. The company says collaboration with the government and ensuring representation for NamPower’s future sustainability is therefore essential. As part of its Integrated Strategy and Business Plan (ISBP) 2020-2025, NamPower intends to move towards a cleaner fuel mix for electricity generation by increasing generation from renewable energy sources by 100…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Sustainable Development Advisory Council during the 2021/ 2023 financial year has faced numerous operational challenges amongst them finances and a lack of limited awareness of the council. The council which was inaugurated in 2015 by the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, is a body of eight members appointed by the minister to advise him and to promote cooperation and coordination on environmental issues relating to sustainable development amongst organs of state. According to the council’s annual report, while specific challenges were also faced during the reporting period, the situational analysis carried out as part of…

Stefanus Nashama Chairperson of the Board of Namibia Breweries, Sven Thieme who resigned last Friday after the company was sold to Heineken N.V. said in an interview with the Windhoek Observer that it is normal to pocket over N$ 1 billion. He, last week Friday received over N$1 billion after Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) paid out a massive amount of money to its shareholders. Thieme said the whole Board resigned because of the change of ownership of the company. Thieme indicated that there will be no further job losses because the company is running well and efficiently. “No one will…

Chamwe Kaira The Botswana-headquartered supermarket chain, Choppies Group is planning to have up to 50 stores in Namibia in the next five years, the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Ramachandran Ottapathu revealed. “Our long-term objective for the next five years is to have 45 to 50 stores in Namibia. We are looking at smaller format stores and believe this will enable us to penetrate smaller areas with better financial results due to lower expense base,” Ottapathu told Observer Money. Choppies currently own 12 stores in Namibia. The company employs 650 workers in Namibia. Choppies in Namibia mostly operates in the Northern…

This week, Observer Money asked Florette Nakusera, Head of the Namibia Deposit Guarantee Authority about the operations of the Authority. Nakusera says the SME Bank failure provides valuable lessons as far as the need to ensure that an effective deposit insurance is in place. Observer Money (OM): The Namibia Deposit Guarantee Authority’s 2022 Annual Report said deposit schemes have been implemented in many countries to protect bank depositors either fully or in part from losses caused by a bank’s failure. In view of this, how protected are Namibian bank depositors in case of a bank failure? Florette Nakusera (FN): The…

Chamwe Kaira Letshego Holdings Namibia Ltd and Letshego Bank Namibia Ltd, CEO, Ester Kali, says it is truly a humbling experience to be recognised for a prestigious award by the United Nations and hopes this recognition award has inspired others more than it has inspired herself. Kali was recently awarded ‘A woman of Distinction’ Award by the United Nations Global Women Foundation. “The responses and feedback from my friends and colleagues have been overwhelming to say the least, but what I have realised through receiving this award, is that one does not necessarily realise the impact one makes in the…

Martin Endjala Namibia is stepping up its readiness to ensure that the country develops strong alternative energy projects which will enable a smooth-sailing green economy that will be a global driver for green energy. This comes after the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia under the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism as the National Designated Authority (NDA) successfully secured funds from the Green Climate Change (GCF) to the value of USD300 000 for a Readiness Funding project titled Green, Resilient Recovery Rapid Readiness Support in Namibia. This was confirmed yesterday by EIF Corporate Communications and Marketing Manager, Lot Ndamanomhata, who…

Chamwe Kaira The Covid -19 pandemic had a negative effect on the Namibian economy but the Slowtown Coffee, as the homegrown Namibian company emerged stronger from the crisis. “We have been very fortunate to have always been supported by our locals. The Lord has blessed us with His favor. Therefore, even during the pandemic, we had great support and once all restrictions were lifted, we could see the joy of people just being able to get back to their favorite neighborhood coffee shops. Now that the tourism sector is going at full blast, we are also very fortunate to be…