Author: Edgar Brandt (Edgar Brandt )

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Namibia’s nuclear dream valid – Expert 
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Namibia’s nuclear dream valid – Expert 

One of the foremost domestic experts in nuclear physics has encouraged Namibia to waste no time in including nuclear energy in the country’s energy mix.  Nuclear physicist Dr Nortin Titus said including nuclear in Namibia’s energy mix would ensure power reliability, sustainability and resilience to external price shocks.  Responding exclusively to New Era on Namibia’s...

JAC’s plug-in hybrid expected towards end of 2025 …as it boosts consumer confidence with 200 000km warranty
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JAC’s plug-in hybrid expected towards end of 2025 …as it boosts consumer confidence with 200 000km warranty

Big news for Namibian motorists is the imminent arrival of the much-anticipated JAC T9 PHEV, which opens the floodgates for an alternative energy bakkie to increase performance and reduce fuel consumption.  The plug-in hybrid T9 double cab’s petrol-electric powertrain comprises a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged internal combustion engine (ICE) and a duo of electric motors. This...

SACU ready to find amicable solution to US trade war …urges tariff exemption for LDCs and Agoa-eligible countries
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SACU ready to find amicable solution to US trade war …urges tariff exemption for LDCs and Agoa-eligible countries

The Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) says it is ready to engage the United States of America (USA) to find an amicable solution to trade concerns.  Part of a possible solution touted by Sacu urges the USA to contemplate observing differential treatment, specifically to consider exempting least – developed countries (LDCs) and African Growth and...

Wind project to power Namdeb operations
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Wind project to power Namdeb operations

The possible upgrading of a Namdeb wind project holds the potential to power diamond mining operations, while additional electricity could be transmitted into the national grid.  This is as Namdeb, equally owned by government and the De Beers Group, continues to align its operations with national goals for industrialisation, clean energy transition and sustainable development....

Gold inclusion in FX reserves is ‘long-overdue’- economist …strategic value in enhancing resilience during economic shocks
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Gold inclusion in FX reserves is ‘long-overdue’- economist …strategic value in enhancing resilience during economic shocks

A leading economist in the country has called the Bank of Namibia’s decision to commence gold accumulation as part of its foreign exchange reserve management strategy as “long-overdue”. The central bank last week announced the decision to include gold, targeting 3% of net foreign exchange reserves, saying it aligns with global central banking trends, given the...

Corporate uptake drives credit to 5-year high …underscores return in business confidence in market
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Corporate uptake drives credit to 5-year high …underscores return in business confidence in market

A notable acceleration in corporate credit uptake has resulted in domestic private sector credit extension (PSCE) growing by 5% year-on-year (y/y) in March 2025, up from the 3.9% y/y recorded in February.  This marks the strongest pace of credit expansion in five years.  Corporate credit constitutes approximately 50% of total domestic credit extended. This increased...

Economy still on positive trajectory during Q1 …while volatility from Trump’s tariffs pressurise NAD
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Economy still on positive trajectory during Q1 …while volatility from Trump’s tariffs pressurise NAD

The domestic economy maintained a positive growth trajectory during the first quarter of 2025. This was largely supported by strong performance in the mining sector, particularly uranium, gold and zinc as well as notable gains in construction, wholesale and retail trade, communication and tourism.  Based on these figures, the central bank expects the domestic economy...

Tax reforms can propel key sectors …signify long-term economic structural shift
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Tax reforms can propel key sectors …signify long-term economic structural shift

Namibia instantly became a more attractive international and domestic investment destination when President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah recently announced a reduction in the country’s non-mining corporate tax.  A seasoned economist has pointed out that the tax changes combined with other reforms signify a long-term economic structural shift that can propel key sectors.  During her maiden State of...

Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth accelerates as global debt rises
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Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth accelerates as global debt rises

The World Bank’s most recent figures indicate that sub-Saharan African growth is expected to reach 3.5% in 2025, and further accelerate to 4.3% in 2026-2027. This is while global public debt continues to rise to historic levels, amidst intensifying fiscal pressures.  The World Bank (WB) has attributed Africa’s economic persistence to increased private consumption and...

No plans to reduce water tariffs … as input costs impact distribution of resource
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No plans to reduce water tariffs … as input costs impact distribution of resource

Even though the country received the best rains in decades, there are no immediate plans by either the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) nor the City of Windhoek (CoW) to reduce the price of water.  The reasoning is that the water price is determined by economic factors comprised of treating, conveyance and distributing the resource.  Responding...