Observer Money – Page 40 – Windhoek Observer

10 Jul

AfCFTA engagement is gaining momentum

Observer Money

Namibia’s engagement with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is gaining momentum, marked by both statistical significance and real trade execution. In May, Namibia exported goods worth N$5.3 billion to the African continent while importing N$5.7 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of N$421 million. Intra-African exports accounted for 44.9% of total exports, while 49.0% of total imports originated from the continent, emphasising the central role of African markets in Namibia’s trade structure. Top intra-African export destinations included South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, the DRC, and Zimbabwe, with key exports comprising fish, precious metals, salt, and base mineral products. On…

10 Jul

How to stabilise Africa’s debt

Observer Money

In the context of high global uncertainty, tighter global financial conditions, and rising borrowing costs, concerns about sub-Saharan Africa’s debt vulnerabilities are mounting. But the region is tackling this issue head-on, and public debt ratios have stabilised on average. Our analytical note in the IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa uses a new data set to highlight when, how often, to what extent, and how debt stabilisation was achieved. Contrary to perception, countries in the region have often been able to stabilise or reduce their debt ratios without debt restructuring. With more than 60 debt reduction episodes (defined…

09 Jul

NIPDB, NSI ink deal to back MSMEs

Observer MoneyEino Mvula, Nangula Uaandja

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen the country’s standards ecosystem. The agreement aims to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), boost investment, and improve the competitiveness of Namibian products. The signing took place this week at the Investment House in Windhoek. NIPDB chief executive officer Nangula Uaandja said the agreement shows a shared commitment to building a standards-driven economic environment. “Today’s signing is not just a procedural milestone; it represents our shared commitment to enabling a competitive and standards-driven economic…

08 Jul

Businesses tap brakes on borrowing

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena Businesses in Namibia are showing more caution in their borrowing activity, with corporate credit growth continuing to slow in May 2025. According to Simonis Storm’s latest Private Sector Credit Extension report, companies are becoming more deliberate in their financing decisions amid a complex economic environment. The total corporate debt stock rose slightly to N$50 billion in May, up from N$49.5 billion in April. However, the annual growth rate declined to 6.5%, compared to 7.1% in the previous month. Simonis Storm noted that this moderation was driven by net repayments and lower uptake across key lending categories. “Companies are…

08 Jul

Green investment talks set for Walvis Bay

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena Policymakers and energy leaders from six African countries will convene in Walvis Bay this week for the Namibia Parliamentary Green Investment Dialogue. The four-day regional event, running from Thursday through Sunday, will focus on mobilising climate finance for green energy development. The dialogue will bring together delegations from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The event is hosted by the Climate Parliament and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It marks the final leg in a series of regional dialogues held under the Parliamentarians for Climate Finance project,…

08 Jul

Green investment talks set for Walvis Bay

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena Policymakers and energy leaders from six African countries will convene in Walvis Bay this week for the Namibia Parliamentary Green Investment Dialogue. The four-day regional event, running from Thursday through Sunday, will focus on mobilising climate finance for green energy development. The dialogue will bring together delegations from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The event is hosted by the Climate Parliament and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It marks the final leg in a series of regional dialogues held under the Parliamentarians for Climate Finance project,…

08 Jul

Top NIPDB investment executive to exit end of July

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena The executive for investment at the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), François van Schalkwyk, will be stepping down from his position. The NIPDB announced on Tuesday that his last working day will be 31 July 2025. NIPDB senior manager for marketing, branding, and communications, Catherine Shipushu, said that after more than four years at the institution, Van Schalkwyk has decided to pursue other interests and relocate to the United Kingdom to spend more time with his young family. Van Schalkwyk joined the NIPDB as one of its first employees and played a key role in shaping…

07 Jul

Inflation risks persist despite easing fuel costs

Featured, Observer Money

Justicia Shipena Fuel price reductions announced in June, backed by over-recoveries in May, are expected to help keep the country’s headline inflation below 4% in the near term. This is according to Almandro Jansen, a junior economist at Simonis Storm Securities. Jansen said this brings some short-term relief for households, especially amid slow wage growth. However, he noted that underlying risks continue to weigh on the economic outlook. The country's annual inflation rate eased to 3.5% in May 2025, slightly down from 3.6% in April and from a recent peak of 4.2% in March. Much of the decline came from…

07 Jul

Bankers Association appoints new CEO

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Bankers Association of Namibia (BAN) has appointed Dantagos Naomi Jimmy as its new chief executive officer, effective 1 July 2025. Jimmy brings more than 20 years of experience in investment management, financial markets, corporate governance, and strategic advisory. She founded Ndapunikwa Investment Management (Pty) Ltd and has held senior roles at the Bank of Namibia, Alexander Forbes Investments, and IJG Securities. She holds a BSc in International Management from La Roche College in the United States and an MBA in General and Strategic Management from the Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands. She also completed executive…

07 Jul

Premium cuts drive beef price increases in June

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena Consumers in the Khomas Region paid more for beef fillet in June compared to May, as beef prices climbed across several regions of the country. According to the latest figures from the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, the price of fillet in Khomas rose from N$315.98/kg in May to N$378.25/kg in June. This was a 6.93% weekly increase, the board said. Other prime cuts also saw increases. Topside climbed 3.66% to N$187.94/kg, neck rose 6.48% to N$99.99/kg, and shin increased by 5% to N$106.51/kg. At the same time, the price of thin flank dropped by 5.41%…