Nuclear energy could inject N$20 billion into economy

Nuclear energy could inject N$20 billion into economy

Chamwe Kaira  The government sees potential in the nuclear fuel cycle chain, including uranium conversion and small modular reactors, with the ability to inject up to N$20 billion into the economy under favourable conditions.  These include geopolitical dynamics, market trends, and Namibia’s financial and technical capacity. The sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) shows that one of the planned interventions is to assess the viability of uranium conversion.  The plan also sets the stage for considering a nuclear power programme beyond the NDP6 period. The proposed activities include the establishment of a Nuclear Institute of Namibia and exploring flagship nuclear projects…
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Talks advance on N$10 billion hydrogen loan

Talks advance on N$10 billion hydrogen loan

Chamwe Kaira  The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P) is in advanced talks with the European Investment Bank for a €500 million (approximately N$10 billion) facility.  The proposed facility carries a 3.5% interest rate with a five-year grace period. Earlier this year, the programme, in partnership with the ministry of finance, submitted a funding proposal to the Climate Investment Funds’ Industry Decarbonisation Program under the Clean Technology Fund.  The requested amount ranged from $50 million to $250 million, with a low-cost facility averaging 1% interest in USD.  This funding has been awarded, and the NGH2P is now in the project pipeline…
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Standard Bank expects profit to increase by 12%

Standard Bank expects profit to increase by 12%

Chamwe Kaira  Standard Bank Namibia Holdings Limited expects its profit after tax for the six months ended 30 June 2025 to increase by between 8% and 12% compared to the same period last year.  Earnings per share (EPS) and headline earnings per share (HEPS) are projected to rise to between 105 and 109 cents, up from 97 cents in 2024. This projection is based on a trading statement issued in line with the Namibia Stock Exchange Listings Requirements, which obliges companies to inform shareholders when results are likely to differ materially from the previous period.  The company is expected to…
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Govt to make bond interest payment

Govt to make bond interest payment

Chamwe Kaira  The Namibian government will make an interest payment of N$17 million on 1 August 2025 on bond NAM04, listed under ISIN ZAG000138470.  The bond carries a coupon rate of 10.51%, according to a notice issued on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). “Since the scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the following business day rule will apply if necessary. FirstRand Bank Limited is the debt sponsor for this issuance,” the announcement said. On 3 February 2025, the government made a similar N$17 million payment on the same bond under the same terms. The government has…
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Water supply capacity to increase by 2030

Water supply capacity to increase by 2030

Chamwe Kaira  The government plans to expand the country's bulk water infrastructure from 1,608 million cubic meters to 2,100 million cubic meters by 2030 to meet growing domestic, agricultural, and industrial needs. The expansion forms part of the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which outlines several interventions to improve and diversify water sources.  These include building water purification plants, artificial recharge of inland aquifers, and developing pipelines to distribute raw water. “Seawater and brackish water will be desalinated and integrated into the supply system. These efforts will culminate in a resilient bulk water infrastructure network that meets current and future…
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Kali appointed to Bank Windhoek board

Kali appointed to Bank Windhoek board

Capricorn Group Limited, a Namibian financial services group listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX), has announced a keyboard appointment at its major subsidiary, Bank Windhoek Limited. The board has confirmed the appointment of Daniel Kali as an independent non-executive director, effective 25 July. This appointment follows the group’s established nomination policy and has received full regulatory approval. Kali’s addition to the board is expected to strengthen the company’s governance and oversight capabilities. The board has extended a warm welcome to Kali, expressing confidence in the value of his future contributions. Kali is a long-serving executive of the De Beers…
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De Beers sale process making progress

De Beers sale process making progress

Chamwe Kaira  Anglo American chief executive officer Duncan Wanblad says the formal process to sell De Beers is advancing, despite current challenging market conditions. Anglo is the majority shareholder in De Beers.  The update is included in the company’s production report for the second quarter ended 30 June. De Beers operates in partnership with the Namibian government through Namdeb Land operations, Debmarine Namibia, and the Namibia Diamond Trading Company. Rough diamond production in the quarter declined by 36% to 4.1 million carats due to a planned response to lower demand.  The group reported that trading conditions remained difficult in the…
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Etango progressing towards production

Etango progressing towards production

Chamwe Kaira  Bannerman Energy reported strong progress at its Etango uranium project during the quarter ended 30 June 2025, with key developments across multiple work streams.  The company is moving toward a positive final investment decision (FID), depending on market conditions. The Etango project is located in the Erongo region, 30 kilometres southeast of Swakopmund. It holds a uranium mineral resource of 207 million pounds of contained uranium oxide. Bannerman achieved one million lost-time injury-free man-hours in June. Early construction works remain on budget and on schedule. The construction power overhead infrastructure has been erected and connected to the grid.…
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ReconAfrica prepares to spud Kavango West 1X well

ReconAfrica prepares to spud Kavango West 1X well

Chamwe Kaira  Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd (ReconAfrica) has announced that it is preparing to spud its Kavango West 1X exploration well in Namibia before the end of July.  The company also confirmed that board member Iman Hill will resign effective 31 July. In a corporate update, ReconAfrica said the drilling rig has been safely mobilised at the site. All required permits have been obtained from regulatory authorities. Final rig assembly and safety checks are currently in progress. The Kavango West 1X well is expected to reach a total depth of about 3,800 meters.  It targets more than 1,500 meters of…
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Langer Heinrich starts financial year with stockpiled ore

Langer Heinrich starts financial year with stockpiled ore

Chamwe Kaira  The Langer Heinrich Mine has announced its 2026 financial year guidance along with realised uranium price sensitivities based on the company’s uranium sales contract portfolio.   Paladin Energy, which holds a 75% interest in the mine, said it will continue ramping up operations throughout the 2026 financial year.  The mine is shifting from processing stockpiled ore to processing primary mined ore. Paladin expects the ramp-up to be completed by the end of the financial year, with full mining and processing operations planned for the 2027 financial year. The remaining portion of the mining fleet is scheduled to arrive in…
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