The Bankers Association of Namibia (BAN) has stuck to its guns, saying it is normal to keep interest rates aligned with repo rate adjustments, as it makes economic sense. This is despite a persistent public outcry, parliamentarians’ claims that banks are greedy, and President Nangolo Mbumba asking them to reconsider their approach “We must hike...
Much of the trade emanating from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the United States (US) legislation that provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the American market, can be attributed to trade in mineral resources. This trade, noted industrialisation and trade minister Lucia Iipumbu, tends to be more capital intensive but yields...
The Husab mine has stepped up to assist the government with the establishment of a much-needed second desalination plant to be constructed at the coast. NamWater CEO Abraham Nehemia on Wednesday stated that the uranium mine stepped in at a crucial time, and saved the government from mobilising some N$3 billion needed for the project....
The Namibian Public Service Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) has encountered several issues over the years. These issues range from ghost members, excessive costs, and overage dependents. Fortunately, efforts are currently underway to overcome these issues and improve Psemas’ effectiveness. According to the 2024/25 to 2026/27 medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF), progress on Psemas reforms for 2024/25...
With about 38 772 members and 80 082 beneficiaries, the Namibia Health Plan (NHP) is one of the leading medical aid funds in the country. In August 2022, Dantago Garosas took over as the principal officer at NHP. Over the years, NHP has grown sustainably; its focus is to provide value-for-money healthcare benefits designed to...
National Planning Commission director general Obeth Kandjoze is perplexed by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recommendation to make all oil and gas deals public. The IMF’s recommendations were made amidst rampant corruption in some African oil and gas countries. The IMF request, he said, undermines good governance. “All of us globally must act and do...
While hunger continues its grip on Namibia, coupled with devastating droughts, the situation is projected to exacerbate. New forecasts indicate that more people will experience food insecurity in the coming months. About half of the Namibian population (48%) studied, results show that almost 1.4 million people will suffer from food insecurity from July to September...
President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana has called for urgent action to address pending matters to speed up the implementation of the Trans-Kalahari Railway line link. During a three-day state visit to Namibia last week, he said the project must be fast-tracked as both countries are losing on its potential of the project. “It is imperative that...
Despite a strong negative perception from the public and lawmakers to toll roads as a revenue-generating option to maintain the national road network, the Road Fund Administration remains adamant that tolling is the answer. The alternative, the RFA cautions, would be a rapid deterioration of the national road infrastructure. “The country’s infrastructure is ageing, and...
Maihapa Ndjavera & Edgar Brandt Responding to a massive public outcry on the persistent increase in electricity tariffs, government finally lent an ear and provided millions to ease the cost of living for struggling Namibians. While this subsidisation has been welcomed, some are, however, questioning its sustainability, questioning what the long-term solution for skyrocketing living...