Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira  Beverage imports averaged N$325 million between July 2024 and July 2025, with November 2024 recording the highest value at N$489 million, the Namibia Statistics Agency has reported.  During the same period, exports averaged N$111 million. July 2024 registered the highest export value at N$189 million, while April 2025 recorded the lowest at N$62 million. The agency said that in July, Namibia exported blankets worth N$398 104, mostly as re-exports, primarily to Angola. Imports of blankets in the same month amounted to N$8.1 million, mainly from South Africa, China, and Pakistan. Blanket imports over the year averaged N$6.8 million,…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia exported goods worth N$5.1 billion to African countries in July, the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) said in its International Merchandise Trade Bulletin.  Imports from the continent stood at N$6.1 billion, leaving a trade deficit of N$1 billion. The NSA said intra-Africa exports made up 40.7% of Namibia’s total exports, while imports from Africa accounted for 48.7% of total imports.  Most exports went to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique. Imports mainly came from South Africa, Zambia, the DRC, Nigeria, and Morocco. Namibia’s overall trade balance in July was a deficit of N$58…

Chamwe Kaira Sanlam Group has reduced its shareholding in SanlamAllianz to 51% following the sale of Sanlam Life Namibia and the acquisition of an additional stake by Allianz Europe BV. According to the group’s half-year results for the period ending 30 June 2025, Allianz acquired 8.59% of SanlamAllianz on 7 April 2025, leaving Sanlam with 51% and Allianz with 49%.  Sanlam Life Namibia was sold to SanlamAllianz with effect from 1 July 2024. Before the transaction, Sanlam owned 100%, but afterward its effective ownership in Sanlam Life Namibia dropped to 59.59%. The group said the first half of the year…

Chamwe Kaira Paladin Energy has reinforced its commitment to sustainability in Namibia by investing in communities in the Erongo Region while increasing uranium production at its Langer Heinrich Mine, the company said in its 2024 sustainability report. Paladin holds a 75% controlling interest in Langer Heinrich Uranium, with 25% owned by China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas Uranium Holding Limited.  The company said its operations in Namibia contribute to global efforts to move away from fossil fuels, with uranium playing a key role in supplying low-carbon power to developed countries. With the mine back in production, Paladin has rolled out a…

Wandile Sihlobo  For much of the past few weeks, we have focused on the summer grains and oilseed, the plantings of which have recently started across South Africa. But other equally essential crops are winter grains and oilseeds. After a reasonably good production period during the winter season, the farmers are now busy harvesting the 2024-25 winter crops. Unlike other crops where we monitor the production conditions nationally, with winter crops, we pay close attention to the Western Cape because of the province’s significant contribution to these crops. For example, about 70% of the winter wheat plantings for the 2024-25…

Chamwe Kaira Santam Namibia contributed N$675 million to the revenue of Santam Limited in South Africa for the financial year ended 30 June 2025, up from N$600 million in 2024. The group reported conventional insurance net earned premium growth of 16% to N$17.9 billion, with a net underwriting margin of 11.3% compared to 6.5% in June 2024.  The alternative risk transfer (ART) business recorded a profit before tax of N$417 million, up from N$326 million a year earlier. Santam said it delivered a strong first-half performance, exceeding long-term targets across key financial indicators.  An interim dividend of 590 cents per…

Chamwe Kaira The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has committed just over N$2.1 billion in development loans to the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) for the year ended 31 March. The funding forms part of DBSA’s ‘Rest of Africa’ portfolio, which recorded N$6.5 billion in loan commitments across several countries, including Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania and Senegal.  Namibia’s allocation highlights DBSA’s support for regional integration and infrastructure development within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). DBSA funding targets key sectors such as water, energy, transport, ICT and social infrastructure.  In July 2024, TransNamib confirmed it had met all conditions to…

Chamwe Kaira The takeover of Barloworld, which owns Barloworld Namibia, by Newco is awaiting competition approvals in Namibia, COMESA and Angola.  In Namibia, mergers are approved by the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC). “The filings in these jurisdictions have been submitted to the relevant authorities and the parties are working towards obtaining these approvals as soon as possible,” Barloworld announced. Barloworld and Newco announced the proposed deal on 28 February.  On 26 August, the Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority informed the two companies that it had unconditionally approved the implementation of the Newco offer.  “The parties therefore confirm that the standby…

Chamwe Kaira  The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has clarified that it supports the government’s plan to add value to minerals in the country. CEO Veston Malango clarified in an interview with Observer Money that the Chamber of Mines of Namibia supports local value addition to all minerals produced in Namibia to grow the economy and create jobs.  He said Chamber had already in June 2023 welcomed the cabinet decision on the understanding that cabinet was referring to the ban on the export of mineral ores, meaning ores of all the minerals mentioned in the cabinet decision. Malango said the…

Ian Coffee, an admitted attorney in South Africa who has worked in various legal roles in Namibia, says the new High Court rules on the selling of primary homes in execution may create confusion. Coffee has also been involved in legal immigration work for IBN Immigration Solutions.  He previously practised as a real estate agent and passed the Namibia Estate Agency board exam. In an interview with Observer Money, Coffee clarified that the recent regulations could potentially complicate the process of selling primary homes during execution. “The new High Court rules on the selling of primary homes in execution may…