Uncategorised – Windhoek Observer

26 Jan

Electrification budget set to rise above N$12m

National News, Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena The government plans to increase its electrification budget to speed up access to electricity for peri-urban communities. The allocation is expected to rise from N$12 million to at least N$20 million. This was announced by the minister of industries, mines, and energy, Modestus Amutse, during the groundbreaking ceremony and site handover of peri-urban electrification projects in the Hardap region on Thursday. “Our intention is to increase this allocation to at least N$20 million, and potentially more, as we strengthen partnerships with other stakeholders and funding partners,” Amutse said. Amuste said the real challenge going forward will not only…

19 Jan

Construction recovery remains uneven

Observer Money, Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s construction sector remains on a cautious but uneven path, shaped by improving financial conditions and ongoing structural constraints, according to Simonis Storm’s Namibia Building Statistics for December. Lower inflation and a gradually easing interest-rate environment are providing some relief. However, weak investment pipelines, policy uncertainty and capacity constraints continue to limit a broad-based recovery. Municipal building plan data shows a mixed regional picture. In Windhoek, approved building plans rose by 13% year-on-year in December 2025 to 169 approvals. Month-on-month approvals fell by 4%. On a quarterly basis, Windhoek recorded 543 approved plans in the fourth quarter of…

18 Jan

Letshego, Nedbank offer lowest banking fees

Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Letshego Bank Namibia and Nedbank Namibia charge the lowest fees on basic bank accounts, according to the Bank of Namibia’s Banking (BoN) Fees and Charges Comparison report for December 2025. The report highlights fees and services offered to Basic Bank Account (BBA) holders by local banks. It shows that Letshego Bank Namibia and Nedbank Namibia charge N$4.70 when BBA clients transfer money through the cellphone banking (USSD) channel. First National Bank Namibia offers free point-of-sale purchases for all clients, including BBA holders. Bank BIC, Bank Windhoek and Standard Bank Namibia allow free internal and external debit order payments…

18 Jan

Paladin Energy bullish on December quarterly results

Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Paladin Energy Limited will release its quarterly results for the period ended 31 December 2025 next week Wednesday. The results will be published on the Australian Securities Exchange and made available on the SEDAR+ platform. Paladin is listed on the ASX, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the OTCQX, and is registered as an external company in Namibia. The company will host a quarterly results conference call after the release. At its annual general meeting in November, Paladin said the global uranium market outlook remains strong, supported by rising demand for nuclear energy linked to energy security concerns and…

18 Jan

Tsodilo verifies rare earth and critical minerals at Botswana project

Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Tsodilo Resources Limited has verified the presence of significant rare earth elements and critical minerals at its 100%-owned Gcwihaba Metals Project in northwest Botswana. The company said mineralisation was confirmed at the C26 and C27 targets following diamond core drilling. These targets were first identified as geophysical anomalies through ground magnetic and gravity surveys. C26 and C27 are high-grade geological exploration targets, known as skarn anomalies, identified during drilling. They contain cobalt along with rare earth elements, copper, nickel and vanadium. Tsodilo said drilling intersected skarn-hosted rare earth mineralisation at depths of between 20 and 50 metres below…

18 Jan

Standard Bank announces new private bank and wealth head

Uncategorised

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has appointed Darius van Zyl as head of private bank & wealth, effective 5 January 2026. The bank said Van Zyl brings more than 15 years of experience in finance, corporate and international tax consulting, strategic leadership, and banking. A registered member of the Namibia Institute of Professional Accountants, the bank said he combines strong technical expertise with experience in delivering client-focused solutions. His academic background includes qualifications in accounting sciences, finance and taxation. He recently completed a Master of Science degree in Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom, where his…

18 Jan

ADPA backs India’s chairmanship of Kimberley Process

Uncategorised

Staff Writer The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) has affirmed its support for India’s chairmanship of the Kimberley Process for 2026 and dismissed claims that African diamond-producing countries raised concerns over the appointment. The clarification follows an article published by Diamond World on 5 January 2026, which suggested that African producers were opposed to India assuming the role of Kimberley Process Chair. In a statement, ADPA congratulated India, an observer member of the association since 2025, on its election as Chair of the Kimberley Process. The association said its member states remain committed to working closely with India to strengthen…

18 Jan

Maputo port handled 32 million tonnes in 2025

Uncategorised

Staff Writer Maputo Port Development Company has announced its 2025 operational performance, reporting record volumes, expanded capacity and continued investment in Mozambique’s logistics system. In 2025, the Port of Maputo handled a historic all-time high of 32.0 million tonnes, up 3.4% from 30.9 million tonnes the previous year. The company said the performance confirms the port’s role as a key regional logistics hub and reflects the strength of the integrated port and corridor system. MPDC’s direct operations also reached a record level, with 15.2 million tonnes handled. This represents year-on-year growth of 6.4%, driven by ongoing investment in infrastructure, systems…

18 Jan

Only 12 000 learners qualified for AS level

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena A total of 12 031 full-time Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) candidates qualified to progress to Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level. The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture on Tuesday released the examination results. The figure represents learners who achieved Grade C or better in at least three NSSCAS subjects, meeting the minimum requirement to progress to AS level, out of 33 862 full-time candidates who registered for the 2025 NSSCO examinations. This means 36.0% of full-time candidates qualified to advance to AS level. Education minister Sanet Steenkamp said the outcomes show steady progress but…

18 Jan

Youth groups say NYC is ‘damaged beyond repair’

Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi The National Youth Council (NYC) is facing a deep crisis with affiliates. The council describes it as dysfunctional and inward-looking. The council, which was created to unite and empower young people, is now widely seen as having been consumed by internal disputes, financial mismanagement, and a failure to carry out its mandate. These concerns are echoed by youth structures and lawmakers. Former member of parliament and Popular Democratic Movement's (PDM) secretary for legal affairs, Maximilliant Katjimune, tabled a motion in June 2024 calling for the NYC to be dissolved and absorbed into the National Youth Service. He said…