With digitalisation reshaping the insurance and financial services industry in Africa, the threat of fraud has evolved in terms of its magnitude and complexity. While institutions race to digitise procedures and embrace artificial intelligence (AI), the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Outlook shared that fraudsters employ online platforms to target the most vulnerable: micro-enterprises, families and individuals. Fraud is...
Namibia’s ICT Development Index improves …connectivity must address affordability, digital skills, and quality
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) released the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Development Index (DI) in July 2025. The index measures the level of Universal and Meaningful Connectivity (UMC) of 164 members states for the period 2025. The UMC concept is based on the premise that realising the full potential of connectivity requires more than access, it also means addressing...
NaCC investigates alleged exclusive conveyance services
The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) recently announced it had initiated an investigation against law firm Dr. Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc and Bank Windhoek in terms of Section 33 of the Namibian Competition Act No. 2 of 2003. The investigation, which commenced in 2022, followed allegations of exclusive dealings pertaining to property conveyance services. In its recent announcement the NaCC...
City pensioners demand debt relief …want pre-paid meters
Lahja Nashuuta The City of Windhoek has come under fire for failing to implement a council resolution to extend debt relief to elderly residents. Under Resolution 29/11/2023, passed on 30 November 2023, the City Council committed to writing off both capital and interest on pensioners’ accounts, on condition the pensioners applied for the installation of pre-paid water and electricity meters....
Teacher suicides give president ‘sleepless nights’
EENHANA – President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed deep concern over the recent suicide cases of three teachers from the Ohangwena region, describing the loss of young lives as very sad. “It gives me sleepless nights. I am sure as residents of the Ohangwena region, you too have been feeling the same way,” she said. She made these remarks during the...
NNN cuts medicine middlemen …goes for direct procurement
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced that Namibia will soon buy pharmaceuticals and medical supplies directly from suppliers, bypassing middlemen, to cut costs and ensure faster delivery of medicines to the public. Speaking during a national address to mark her first 100 days in office recently, the president said the country had started talks with Egypt and India to develop a...
Cabinet approves pilchard quota
WALVIS BAY – Cabinet has approved a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 10 000 metric tonnes of pilchards for governmental objectives for the remainder of the 2025 fishing season, ending in September. This was announced by the information minister Emma Theofelus last week. The resurgence of pilchards, after being placed under a moratorium, has become a heated debate after several...
FNB staff serve hope through meals
Hilma Nalupe At the break of dawn, while much of the city still sleeps, groups of First National Bank Namibia staff trade their office attire for aprons and roll up their sleeves. Their mission is to ensure that learners at four Windhoek schools do not face the school day on an empty stomach. In partnership with the Windhoek Life Change...
Kavango East prioritises food production
RUNDU – Kavango East governor Hamunyera Hambyuka, highlighted the region’s push for food production, in his maiden state of the region address for the fiscal year 2024/25 last Thursday. He said the region had invested in supplying farmers with inputs and training to boost production. “In the area of food production, our emphasis on supporting farmers through training, technical assistance,...
Sinimbo: Agriculture is Kavango West’s bedrock
Stefanus Nambara Paulina Ndalikokule NKURENKURU – In her maiden state of the region address (Sora) last Friday, Kavango West governor Verna Sinimbo, like her predecessor, reiterated that agriculture remains the region’s bedrock. She called for a transformation of the agricultural sector, subsequently making the region a food hub. Sinimbo said this when addressing a packed hall on the status of...