Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Oryx Properties Limited has received approval from the Namibian Competition Commission to acquire 100% of Safari Investments Namibia (Proprietary) Limited. The approval, granted on 9 May, comes without any conditions. Safari Investments Namibia owns and manages the Platz am Meer Shopping Centre, a waterfront mall in Swakopmund. Oryx first issued cautionary announcements about the deal in March and May. The company said, “The transaction and purchase price remain contingent upon the fulfilment of conditions agreed upon with the sellers. Therefore, we advise unitholders to be cautious when trading their Oryx securities until we make another announcement. The deal…

Chamwe Kaira South Africa remained the largest recipient of dividend payments in 2024, according to the Foreign Investment Report by the Bank of Namibia and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). Since 2019, more than 50% of dividend payments have gone to South Africa. This reflects strong profits in the financial, insurance, wholesale, and retail trade sectors. Mauritius increased its share of dividends from 1.9% in 2019 to 28.1% in 2024, driven by better profitability in the gold industry. The United Kingdom saw a decline in its dividend share in 2024. This was mainly due to weak diamond…

Chamwe Kaira  Gecko Gold Mining plans to explore copper, zinc, gold, and precious stones in the Otjozondjupa Region. The company aims to contribute to the country's socio-economic development through mining. Mining is Namibia’s leading economic sector, accounting for about 10% of the country’s gross domestic product each year. Gecko said the prospecting and exploration activities could boost other sectors and create temporary jobs. The company also expects to generate mineral rights levies, taxes for the government, and business opportunities for local small and medium enterprises. The company sees mining as a source of trained workers and small businesses that support…

Chamwe Kaira  Liquidity pressures are becoming clear in Namibia Breweries Limited’s (NBL) balance sheet, according to an analysis by Simonis Storm Securities. Bank overdrafts have risen to just over N$230 million. Meanwhile, net debt dropped to N$403 million from N$536 million a year earlier. However, this apparent improvement hides a weaker capital structure. The net debt-to-equity ratio jumped to 64.01%, up from 34.6% the previous year, showing a decline in balance sheet strength. Working capital also shows stress. Inventories increased by 4.7%, and trade and other payables grew by 22.5%. At the same time, trade and other receivables fell by…

Chamwe Kaira  Recent developments point to positive changes in the country’s trade environment, driven by targeted reforms and capacity-building efforts to improve efficiency, market access, and competitiveness, says Almandro Jansen, an analyst with Simonis Storm. In March 2025, the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade launched the Namibian Trade Information Portal. This digital platform centralises key trade information, such as customs procedures, licensing requirements, tariff schedules, investment incentives, and trade regulations.  Jansen explained that the portal reduces red tape and makes trade processes more predictable. “It is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to engage in regional and global…

Chamwe Kaira The Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM) processed more than 900 000 tonnes of ore during the March 2025 quarter. This marked the highest throughput since the mine restarted operations. The plant achieved an average recovery rate of 88%, which is within the company’s target. Paladin Energy, the mine’s operator, said it produced 745,484 pounds of uranium oxide in the March quarter. This was a 17% increase from the previous quarter and the highest quarterly output since the restart. Total uranium oxide production for the nine months ending 31 March stood at two million pounds. During the March quarter, the…

Chamwe Kaira The Otjikoto Mine is expected to produce between 165,000 and 185,000 ounces of gold in 2025. Cash operating costs are forecast between US$695 (approximately N$12 931) and US$755 (approximately N$14 054) per ounce.  All-in sustaining costs are projected between US$980 (approximately N$18 243) and US$1 040 (approximately N$19 366) per ounce. Production will be higher in the first half of the year. Open-pit mining is scheduled to end in the third quarter of 2025. The mine will process 3.4 million tonnes of ore in 2025, with an average grade of 1.63 grams per tonne and a gold recovery…

Allexer Namundjebo  Over N$56 billion of Namibia's recent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows have gone beyond oil and gas. This, according to Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade, Jenelly Matundu, highlights a strong interest in sectors like tourism, agribusiness, and digital technology. Matundu was speaking at the launch of Namibia’s first-ever FDI Report, released by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) on Tuesday. Matundu said the report reflects Namibia’s commitment to economic transparency. “This publication is not just a compilation of data. It symbolises our commitment to economic transparency and presents…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Eight young Namibians have secured internships after completing a two-week technical training program through CodeConnect Namibia, run by the non-profit organisation African Connection. The training was conducted under the Binary Program, in partnership with Document Warehouse.  Participants were introduced to the company’s systems and records management tools. Boitshepo Pieters, operations manager at The African Connection, said the initiative aims to address a lack of opportunities in the technology sector. “The African Connection was inspired by the need to bridge the gap between ambition and opportunity for Namibia's youth. Recognising the global shift towards technology-driven economies, the organisation aimed…