Observer Money

Kevin Lings, Stanlib Asset Management senior economist, talks to Observer Money about the impact of the 21% tariffs imposed on Namibia by US President, Donald Trump.  Observer Money (OM): What do you make of the US government’s recent reciprocal tariff imposed on African countries which includes 21% tariffs on Namibia? Kevin Lings (KL): In general, the level of reciprocal tariffs introduced by the US are significantly higher than expected. It can be argued that the focus on the excessive tariff levels are focused on Asia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, although sub-Saharan Africa was also an area of focus including Angola,…

CHAMWE KAIRA  The imposition of a 21% tariff on Namibian exports by the United States, as part of a broader protectionist trade agenda, could exert notable pressure on Namibia’s inflation trajectory, Simonis Storm has said. The policy forms part of a sweeping tariff strategy that includes a 10% baseline tariff on all US imports, with elevated rates for specific trading partners, including Namibia. “Namibia’s key exports to the US, notably diamonds, uranium, and fish, are directly in the crosshairs of these tariffs. A decline in competitiveness in the US market may lead to reduced export volumes, lower foreign exchange earnings,…

CHAMWE KAIRA  Rangel, the logistics company, will also open a new office in Nakop, on the Namibian border, which will augment its current presence in Zambia and Tanzania. The logistics company entered the South African market in 2020 and has reaffirmed its commitment to helping Africa realise the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement through the additional investment of €6 million (N125.6 million) in a warehouse in South Africa. Covering an area of 10,000 m² near OR Tambo International Airport, the new warehouse will serve as a central hub for Rangel's expanding Contract Logistics offering, as…

CHAMWE KAIRA The Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) had 12 primary listed companies as at 31 December 2024. The local market capitalisation, representing the total value of locally listed stocks, grew by 1.8% quarter-on-quarter and by 5.2% year-on-year to N$46.4 billion.  The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority, said in the 2024 Fourth Quarter report that on a quarter-on-quarter basis, the local index rose by 1.3%, and by 2.9% year-on-year to 691 index points as at 31 December 2024. The value of securities traded declined by 93.1% quarter-on-quarter, and by 155.9% year-on year to N$123.9 million as at 31 December 2024. As…

CHAMWE KAIRA  The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) emerged as the biggest export destination for Namibian goods in February with a share of 30.7% of total exports, the Namibia International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin revealed. BRICS and the OECD followed in second and third positions, contributing 23.7% and 23.3% to Namibia’s total exports, respectively. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), excluding SACU, and the European Union (EU) respectively occupied the fourth and fifth positions, accounting for 18.8% and 17.8% of total exports. Exports to SACU consisted mainly of non-monetary gold, while the export basket to the BRICS market was dominated…

CHAMWE KAIRA  Deep Yellow, which is developing the Tumas Project in Erongo Region, has said the construction schedule has increased from 18 to 24 months and production ramp-up has also increased from six months to a more conservative case of 15 months.  The company said this schedule estimates wet commissioning will be completed within 24 months after Final Investment Decision (FID) decision, with ore processing and production ramp-up commencing thereafter.  Deep Yellow said the first product into drums is anticipated approximately two months after ore processing commences.  “The schedule estimated for Tumas is considered to be conservative and will be…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The country’s rising budget deficit and public debt levels pose long-term threats to economic growth and investor confidence. According to Simonis Storm economist Almandro Jansen, the country’s growing debt is increasingly limiting the government’s ability to invest in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and health. “The most immediate concern is that public debt is increasingly crowding out development spending, with interest payments now exceeding even capital allocations. This limits the state’s ability to invest in infrastructure, education, and health, all critical enablers of long-term growth,” he said. Jansen added that the persistent fiscal slippage risks weakening the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The inaugural MTC Branding and Marketing Indaba kicked off in Windhoek yesterday, drawing more than 300 delegates and over 30 exhibitors from across the country and the region. Running from 9 to 11 April, the three-day event is the first of its kind in Namibia and aims to bring together professionals and experts in branding, marketing, communications, public relations, and advertising. The event is organised by MTC, seeks to offer a platform for learning, knowledge sharing, and professional networking. In his opening remarks, MTC’s Chief Brand, Marketing, Communications and Sustainability Officer, Tim Ekandjo, emphasised the need for a…

Niël Terblanché Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has collected N$88.6 billion in tax revenue during the 2024/25 financial year, surpassing its initial target of N$85.3 billion. The Minister of Finance and Social Grants Management, Ericah Shafudah, announced the figures during NamRA’s 4th Annual Taxpayer and Trader Appreciation Day held in Windhoek on Monday evening. “This is not merely a success for NamRA but a reflection of the dedication and compliance of our taxpayers and traders,” she said while describing the outcome as a collective achievement. She added that the total collected represents 103.81 percent of the projected revenue for the financial…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been named the Best Civil Aviation Authority in Africa at the Aviation Week Africa (AWA) Gala Night, held recently in Livingstone, Zambia. This award recognises the NCAA's role in fostering safe, secure, and efficient air transport across the continent. Toska Sem, the NCAA’s Executive Director, accepted the award from Captain Gabriel Luembe, Director General of the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority. Sem attributed the achievement to the collective efforts of the NCAA team, the guidance of the Board of Directors, support from stakeholders, and strategic direction from the Ministry of Works and…