Page 24 – Windhoek Observer

14 Oct

Venaani hits out at SOEs power grab

National News

Justicia Shipena Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has warned that the proposed Public Enterprises Governance Amendment Bill threatens good governance, accountability, and investor confidence in Namibia. The warning follows the tabling of the bill by prime minister Elijah Ngurare in Parliament last week. The amendment seeks to revise the 2019 Public Enterprises Governance Act (PEGA) by centralising oversight of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under the prime minister’s office. Under the proposed changes, the prime minister will gain broad authority over the appointment and removal of SOE board members and executives, as well as the approval of financial and strategic…

14 Oct

PM won’t interfere in Nust council affairs — Hangala

National News

Justicia Shipena Prime minister Elijah Ngurare has told the interim Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) Council that he will not interfere in its internal affairs. This was confirmed by Nust council chairperson, Leake Hangala, who told the Windhoek Observer that Ngurare met with the council delegation this last week to be briefed on recent developments at the institution. “It was a cordial, open, and transparent meeting, and he made it very clear that he is not interfering in the affairs of the Council,” Hangala said. He explained that the discussion centred on governance and procedure. “The prime minister…

14 Oct

Procurement bill could turn into corruption hotbed, warns IPPR

National News

Justicia Shipena The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) says the country's public procurement system is at risk of becoming a breeding ground for corruption and misuse of state resources if proposed legal changes expanding ministerial exemptions are passed. According to IPPR research associate Frederico Links, the proposed Public Procurement Amendment Bill of 2025 could weaken transparency and accountability by allowing ministries to bypass open bidding processes and award contracts directly. Last month, Jafet Nelongo, director for professionalisation and capacity strengthening in the Ministry of Finance, stated that the bill 2025 is expected to be tabled in parliament this month. …

14 Oct

EIF warns of escalating climate-induced disasters

National News

Justicia Shipena Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) chief executive officer Benedict Libanda has called for urgent and coordinated action to strengthen the country's resilience to climate-induced disasters. He warned that the country faces some of the most severe climate vulnerabilities in the world. Libanda said Namibia’s arid conditions and fragile ecosystems make it highly vulnerable to rising global temperatures. “Cereal and livestock production could decline by at least ten percent, and the number of extremely hot days will increase by an additional twenty-one each year,” Libanda warned during the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction commemoration in Windhoek on Monday. He…

14 Oct

Naude says elephant killing exposes failed leadership at MEFT

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Sean Naude of the Namibian Marshall Rangers has accused the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) of showing poor leadership and weak crisis management following the killing of a bull elephant near Onawa village in the Omusati region on Friday. Naude said the decision to put down the elephant, which had escaped from Etosha National Park after wildfires spread into the north-central regions, was not conservation but cowardice. “Killing an elephant that is already traumatised is not conservation; it is cowardice. A bullet is cheaper than doing the right thing. It was due to negligence that the…

14 Oct

MPs challenged to improve social protection oversight

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Social grants continue to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of Namibians by supporting the most vulnerable members of society, says Justina Jonas, the chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on poverty eradication. She described the country's social grant system as both a major national achievement and a program that needs urgent refinement to better serve its people. Over 618 000 Namibians rely on state grants for their survival. This includes 202,294 old-age pensioners, 356 756 children receiving orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) grants, and 50 927 persons on disability grants. “We, as representatives of the Namibian people, have…

14 Oct

Post-AGOA: A catalyst for Africa’s economic self-reliance and continental prosperity

Opinions

Jason Kasuto The expiration of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) on September 30, 2025, signals a pivotal moment for Africa’s economic trajectory. Since its inception in 2000, AGOA has fuelled African aspirations by providing duty-free access to the lucrative US market—a beacon for growth, jobs, and infrastructure development across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). But with its demise, the continent faces both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity to redefine its economic destiny beyond dependency. Understanding AGOA’s impact—A wake-up call for Africa While AGOA served as a vital bridge for SSA exports—ranging from textiles and apparel to critical minerals—it was…

14 Oct

NamPower to receive batteries for Omburu project

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira NamPower will this week receive its first shipment of batteries and Power Conversion Systems containers for the 51 MW/51 MWh Omburu Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project at the Walvis Bay harbour. The project, located at the Omburu Substation near Omaruru, aims to help NamPower manage electricity demand and supply more efficiently through energy storage and the reduction of costly emergency energy use. The KfW Development Bank is providing EUR 20 million (approximately N$390 million) in grant funding for the project, while NamPower will contribute about N$100 million. “It will also provide various grid stability services, enabling the…

14 Oct

BoN expected to hold repo rate at 6.75%

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia (BoN) is expected to maintain the repo rate at 6.75% at its next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Wednesday. “However, we do believe there is one more rate cut of 25 bps in the pipeline before the end of 2025, balancing stable inflation with the need to support economic growth,” said Almandro Jansen of Simonis Storm Securities. Jansen said Namibia’s inflation outlook remains stable but with risks tilted upward. “While the food and transport categories will continue to shape near-term trends, the persistence of service-driven inflation suggests that price stability may become more…

14 Oct

Old Mutual customers redeemed over N$2m in rewards

Observer Money

Staff Writer Old Mutual Namibia has announced that customers have redeemed more than N$2 million worth of rewards points through its rewards programme. The milestone highlights the programme’s growing role in providing real value for customers’ financial engagement. Of the total redemption value, nearly N$1 million was redeemed through MTC Namibia. “This partnership has proven to be incredibly impactful, allowing members to convert their points into airtime and data, essentials in today’s digital world. The Foschini Group redemptions make up the other N$1 million redemptions, offering Rewards members multiple redemption options in stores,” the company said. The rewards programme encourages…