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Allexer Namundjembo  Namibia exported grapes worth more than N$1.2 billion during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to figures released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). The horticulture sector recorded export earnings of N$1.3 billion, with grapes making up the largest share.  Key markets included the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany.  NSA said imports of horticulture products remained steady at N$327.1 million, led by potatoes, apples and bananas. NSA statistician general Alex Shimuafeni said the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector remains important to the economy. “The agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors remain paramount as they play a critical role…

Staff Writer  Young people in the ǁKaras region will begin skills training in April under the MTC4Life 2026 programme, aimed at helping them start small businesses and earn an income. The programme will support 30 young people aged 18 to 35 with training in trades such as baking, hairdressing, barbering, leatherwork, sewing and cell phone repair. This week, Namib Mills has partnered with MTC to support the baking trade.  Namib Mills will contribute N$5 000 per trainee, either in cash or equipment, and will also provide a baking expert, equipment and ingredients for training. Participants will attend training sessions over…

Staff Writer Old Mutual has appointed Roger Jardine as chairman designate. Jardine will take over as chairman after the company’s annual general meeting scheduled for 5 June 2026, subject to his confirmation as a director. Current chairman Trevor Manuel will retire at the end of the meeting after reaching the board’s retirement age. Jardine and Manuel will work together during a three-month handover period from March to June 2026. Jardine joined the Old Mutual board as an independent non-executive director in September 2025. He previously served as chairman of FirstRand Limited for nearly six years. He has also held chief…

Justicia Shipena  The implementation of Namibia’s new agriculture cooperation programme with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) faces a funding gap of US$8.9 million (approximately N$168 million). The programme requires a total of US$15.7 million (approximately N$296 million) to implement, but only US$6.8 million (approximately N$128 million) has been secured so far. The funding forms part of the Country Programming Framework (CPF) signed between the FAO and the Namibian government. The framework will guide cooperation in agriculture and food systems from 2025 to 2029. The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and…

Justicia Shipena  Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has urged women parliamentarians to strengthen oversight and work together to advance gender equality in Namibia. Speaking at the opening of a meeting of the Parliamentary Women Caucus in Swakopmund on Saturday, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the gathering allows women leaders to focus on issues affecting women and girls and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making. She said the caucus brings together women across political parties to address common concerns and promote equal participation in governance. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said parliament must ensure that laws and policies adopted by the government lead to real…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s international reserves increased to N$51.9 billion at the end of January 2026, supported by inflows from the Southern African Customs Union. The Bank of Namibia reported in its latest money and banking statistics that the official stock of reserves rose by 0.6% month-on-month. The increase was mainly driven by SACU receipts. At this level, reserves covered an estimated 3.3 months of imports. When excluding oil and gas exploration and appraisal imports, the cover stood at 3.8 months. The bank said the reserves were equal to 9.6 times the currency in circulation. They remain sufficient to maintain the…

Allexer Namundjembo  Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo has asked the Ministry of Health and Social Services whether it has assessed the impact of the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Namibia’s health system. She also asked whether such an assessment would be tabled before Parliament. Mbinge-Tjeundo on Tuesday gave a notice to ask detailed questions to health minister Esperance Luvindao. “The decision by the United States of America to formally withdraw from the World Health Organization represents a significant shift in global health governance, with real and lasting implications for developing countries that rely…

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia could position itself as Africa’s leading hub for the engineering and servicing of floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSO), with China identified as a key strategic partner to drive the plan, according to a new industry report. The 2025 report by the Namibian Association for Offshore Oil and Gas Service Providers, authored by its founder Knowledge Ipinge, sets out a strategy that could create an FPSO-linked industrial sector valued at between N$25 billion and N$40 billion a year by 2035.  The report estimates that the sector could generate more than 10 000 direct and indirect jobs.…

Chamwe Kaira Namibia must urgently shift to a rail-anchored logistics model to secure its long-term position as a regional trade corridor, economist Almandro Jansen of Simonis Storm has said. Jansen said Namibia’s strategic value does not lie in the size of its economy but in its location, institutions and operational reliability. Positioned on the Atlantic coast, Namibia offers the shortest maritime route linking Southern and Central Africa to European and North American markets through the Port of Walvis Bay. He stated that relatively strong governance, clear regulations, transparent customs processes, and stable port operations strengthen this advantage.  These factors reduce…