Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Andrada Mining continues to show strong operational progress at its Uis site in the Erongo Region, reinforcing its role in Namibia’s critical minerals sector. Chief Executive Officer Anthony Viljoen said the first quarter of 2025 saw solid performance improvements at the Uis operation. These gains were supported by upgrades made through the company’s continuous improvement programme, including modifications to the Dense Media Separation (DMS) circuit. He said these changes led to higher processing rates and increased tin production, showing improved operational efficiency and reliability. “Production of our increasingly valuable byproduct tantalum improved notably, reinforcing our multi-mineral offering,” said…

De Beers Group is strengthening its commitment to sustainability through key developments in renewable energy, aligned with its Building Forever programme. The company has entered into new partnerships aimed at expanding clean energy use across its operations. Namdeb recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NamPower to scale up its current 34 MW wind energy project. Early assessments suggest the project could expand to between 100 100MW and 150 MW, connecting to the NamPower grid. In Botswana, Debswana has partnered with Botswana Power Corporation to support renewable energy integration. In South Africa, Envusa Energy has commissioned renewable energy projects…

Chamwe Kaira Elevate Uranium Limited has announced the discovery of a new mineralisation style at its Marenica Uranium Project in Namibia, intersecting a 13-metre-thick zone of uranium in granite, outside the existing resource area. Drill hole MAR2500, part of a recent drilling programme, was one of several holes within a few kilometres that intersected basement-hosted mineralisation. The discovery marks a shift from the project’s traditional palaeochannel-hosted uranium deposits. “Mineralisation at the Marenica Uranium Project has typically been intersected in palaeochannels,” said Murray Hill, Managing Director of Elevate Uranium. “The company has now identified another mineralisation style with a large mineralised…

Justicia Shipena  The chief investment strategist at Old Mutual Wealth South Africa, Izak Odendaal, has cautioned against attempting to time the market.  He said that while global equities have experienced sharp selloffs, many remain richly valued.  He was speaking at a recent strategic investment breakfast hosted by Old Mutual Wealth Namibia.  The breakfast event brought together clients and industry professionals to explore key market trends and how they shape investment decisions. Odendaal urged investors to stay disciplined and committed to their long-term strategies. “We are seeing a rethinking of global capital flows, as political instability in the US challenges investor…

Chamwe Kaira  Rössing Uranium is holding N$421 million in restricted Iranian funds in 2024, up from N$394 million in 2023. This money represents dividends owed to the Iran Foreign Investment Company (IFIC), a shareholder in the company. The funds were first restricted under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1929. Although that resolution was later repealed by UNSCR 2231, some sanctions remain in place. The United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) lists IFIC as a government-controlled entity. It has also placed IFIC on its Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. “The board has critically assessed this…

Allexer Namundjebo  Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTC Namibia) has awarded over N$4 million to support employee-run businesses since the launch of its internal Dreamers Program.  Launched in 2021, the MTC Dreamers Program provides financial assistance and entrepreneurship training to employees running part-time businesses alongside their full-time jobs. “To date, the program has assisted 80 MTC ambassadors with over N$4 million,” said MTC’s chief brand, marketing, communications, and sustainability officer, Tim Ekandjo. Ekandjo said the initiative was established to help staff pursue their dreams of owning businesses while still working at the company.  “Just as we are philanthropic to the nation, we…

Eddie King Understanding the legal consequences of financial default is essential for anyone managing personal or business-related debt. Default occurs when a debtor fails to meet the legal obligations of a loan, typically by not making the required payments. This failure can trigger a series of legal actions with long-term financial impacts. Before initiating legal action, a creditor will contact the debtor to request payment. This approach allows the debtor to settle the debt or arrange payments and avoid legal proceedings. Legal Action and Collection Processes Creditors may initiate legal proceedings to recover the debt when a default occurs. This…

Branding the Continent: A Conversation with Thebe IkalafengFounder and Chairman of Brand Leadership Africa As Namibia celebrates its most admired brands in the 2025 edition of the Brand Africa 100 | Namibia’s Best Brands, we spotlight the man who has made it his life’s mission to elevate brand-led excellence in Africa: Thebe Ikalafeng. For over almost two decades, Ikalafeng has been a central figure in shaping the narrative of a confident, competitive, and self-determined Africa. Through Brand Africa, he has championed the role of branding as not merely a marketing tool, but a strategic national asset; a vehicle for economic…

Chamwe Kaira Old Mutual says its Life APE sales were slightly lower in the quarter ending 31 March 2025. The drop was due to weaker guaranteed annuity sales in personal finance, which followed a market-wide decline caused by falling yields. The company also said it did not repeat the large savings sales it recorded in the same period last year under Old Mutual Corporate. These corporate deals tend to be irregular, with long and unpredictable lead times. “This was partially offset by good risk sales across all distribution channels in mass and foundation cluster as well as strong corporate sales…

Chamwe Kaira  SLR Environmental Consulting Namibia, commissioned by Osino Gold Exploration and Mining, has completed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for groundwater abstraction from the Kranzberg Aquifer near Usakos in the Erongo Region.  The assessment found that with recommended mitigation measures, the residual impacts are low to very low. SLR said the mitigation plan follows a hierarchy: avoiding sensitive areas first, then reducing impacts, and finally rehabilitating disturbed sites.  The firm considers the EIA and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) robust enough for MAFWLR and MEFT to make informed decisions. Osino is developing the Twin Hills Gold Project about 25 km…