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Onerous aviation regulations, stifling visa requirements, and a lack of cross-industry collaboration are hampering the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) economic potential. This was the resounding message from aviation experts at the recent Southern African Industrialisation Forum (SAIF) held in Sandton. “We can talk about a free trade area and regional integration, but if people and goods can't move efficiently, it's all just empty promises,” asserted SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance Lead, Natalia Rosa. “The current state of aviation in SADC is a massive own goal for our economies.” Achieving greater connectivity within the SADC aviation industry requires harmonising regulations…

Paratus Namibia invested N$75 million in capital projects for the six months ending 31 December 2023. This was a sharp decline compared to N$123 million invested in 2022. In line with the strategy for this financial year, the number of new sites and fiber in new areas were limited to focus on the sign-up of new customers on the existing infrastructure, the company said. The majority of capital expenditure was towards capacity expansion and customer access of the current network. “The outcome of this approach is reflected in the growth of recurring revenue. For the period up to 31 December…

The Namibian economy faces risks from low rainfall due to the El Niño weather pattern, NedNambia Holdings has evaluated. Softer global demand will keep the prices of the country’s key exports lower than in 2022. The Bank of Namibia’s latest figures predict that economic growth will moderate to 3,4% in 2024 and 3,1% in 2025 from an estimated 3.9% in 2023. Nedbank believes that a more favourable global environment and progress in addressing domestic inefficiencies would help to maintain economic growth at close to 3,5% between 2024 and 2025. The group said in condensed results for the year ended 31…

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia has a happiness index of 4.63, according to the World Happiness Report. The highest ranked country is Finland with 7.80 with the lowest being Afghanistan with a ranking of 1.86. South Africa has an index of 5.27, Mauritius 5.70, Mozambique 4.95, Zambia 3.98, Malawi 3.50, Botswana 3.44 and Zimbabwe 3.20. The IMF said in the last 10 years since United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution proclaiming 20 March to be observed annually as International Day of Happiness, more people have come to believe that success as countries should be judged by the happiness of its people.…

Dundee Precious Metals Inc. early this month announced that it has entered into a definitive share purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Sinomine Resource Group Co. Ltd for the sale of its interest in the Tsumeb smelter located in Tsumeb including all associated assets and liabilities, through the disposition of all of the issued and outstanding shares it indirectly holds in Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb Holding for consideration of US$49 million in cash. Dundee had operated the smelter for 13 years having acquired the smelter in 2010 to secure a processing outlet for the complex concentrate produced by the company’s…

CHAMWE KAIRA The Roads Authority plans to upgrade the Auas Road in Windhoek. The project involves the upgrade of the road to a double carriage way from the Sean McBride intersection to the Mandume Ndemufayo Intersection, with a new taxi rank. The aim of the project is to improve the traffic flow on this portion of road, which is currently congested, especially during peak traffic. The RA has appointed Lithon Project Consultants to conduct the design, and construction supervision of the project. Enviro Dynamics has been appointed to conduct the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the project, in line…

Agricultural Economics Today, economist Wandile Sihlobo has started that Southern Africa’s maize supplies will likely be tight in the 2023/24 season. Zambia, the second largest maize producer in the area after South Africa, declared a drought disaster and there will be increased pressure on South Africa to supply maize to the neighbouring countries. South Africa’s early production forecasts indicate that the country will also face a challenge in maize production. The Crop Estimate Committee places South Africa’s 2023/24 white and yellow maize harvest at 7 million tonnes (down 17% year on year) and 7,3 million tonnes (down 8% year on…

CHAMWE KAIRA Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Namdeb) is proposing the development of the Kerbehuk Ridge Wind Farm, a 34MW Wind Energy Facility (WEF) located approximately 50km north of Oranjemund, within the Southern Coastal Mine area covered by Mining Licence 43. The development and operation of the Namdeb Wind (Phase 1) project are contingent upon receiving an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT). Granting of the ECC is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is being undertaken by SLR Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SLR). Namdeb is jointly owned by the government and…