Author: Maihapa Ndjavera (Maihapa Ndjavera )

Consumers who tightened their belts during the last couple of years due to the impact of Covid-19, coupled with a persistent recession, recent fuel and food price hikes, were hammered again yesterday as the Bank of Namibia increased the repo rate with 25 basis points from 4% to 4.25%.

The legislative framework, rationale and subsequent adopted approach used to launch Namibia’s green hydrogen request for proposal has been explained by the country’s green hydrogen commissioner, James Mnyupe.

Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi pointed out the contradiction of some parliamentarians lamenting the size of the budget deficit and consequently the increase in government debt, while still advocating for the increase in civil servants’ wages. 

After an eventful six months of promoting Namibia as an investment and tourist destination at the Expo 2020 Dubai, the Namibian Pavilion has officially closed its doors as the curtain falls.

Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni stressed to financiers in the private sector that people need shelter and not luxury homes that trigger housing costs and leave out low-income earners who are in need of housing.

According to Namibia’s household national data, there are 235 884 rural households, of which 35 855 are connected to the grid, while 18 324 have access to solar energy, giving rural electrification a rate of 20%. 

Namibia’s real effective exchange rate appreciated in 2021, signalling a decline in the competitiveness of Namibia’s products on international markets.

Deputy finance minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende has assured the nation that the newly-created Sovereign Wealth Fund, known as the Welwitschia Fund, was created as an important revenue source to ensure Namibian resources benefit future generations.