Outgoing Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes ǃGawaxab said the central bank is strong, stable, and well positioned for the future, following five years of turbulence, reform, and transformation. Reflecting on his tenure, !Gawaxab said his time in office, which began in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, tested the country’s financial system in...
Business
SIM card use, mobile internet rise
The total number of active SIM cards in Namibia increased by 3% between July and September 2025, indicating renewed growth after a stable period in the second quarter. The increase was mainly driven by prepaid SIM cards, which rose by 3%. Postpaid subscriptions grew more slowly, increasing by only 1%. Mobile internet use also continued...
ECB warns of growing power debt …Mariental leads the arrears list
Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Control Board (ECB), Robert Kahimise, on Friday said NamPower is owed a total of N$912 million by various entities across the country. Kahimise made the announcement during a media briefing, where he outlined the growing debt owed to the national power utility. According to the ECB, local authorities and...
Unauthorised transport fee increases irks minister
Works and transport minister, Veikko Nekundi, has urged public passenger carrier permit holders who have raised taxi fares without following legal procedures to immediately rectify the matter and cease the unlawful practice. In a stern statement on Friday, the minister cautioned the permit holders to cease unauthorised fare increases as these are regulated by the...
Namibia improves ranking in global anti-money laundering index
The Bank of Namibia says the country has made steady progress in strengthening its fight against money laundering and financial crime. Director of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Bryan Eiseb, last week announced that Namibia’s performance has improved in the 2025 Basel Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Financial Crime Risk Index. According to the index, Namibia’s...
Afreximbank breaks ground on trade centre, new HQ
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa’s leading multilateral financial institution, on Saturday marked a historic milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Egypt’s New Capital, which will also be the home of the bank’s new global headquarters. The brand new facilities are scheduled for completion in early 2029. Situated in...
African aviation demand rises fastest globally …but continent’s profitability margins linger in limbo
Air travel growth in Africa is projected to hit 6% in 2026, exceeding the global average anticipated at 4.9%, slightly above the 5.2% expected this year. However, despite outshining the rest of the world in terms of air travel growth, the African aviation industry’s profit margins of 1.3% still lack the lustre as African airlines...
IATA urges release of US$1.2b in blocked funds
Out of total US$1.2 billion of global aviation industry funds blocked by governments, 93% of the capital is trapped in Africa and Middle East (AME) countries. In fact, 10 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia account for 89% of the total blocked funds, amounting to US$1.08 billion. The AME region total blocked...
Petrofund rebrands and launches Petroconnect
The Petroleum Training and Education Fund (Petrofund) this week unveiled its new brand identity, inaugurated its head office and launched its revamped website alongside PetroConnect, a digital CV repository system. Petrofund’s refreshed brand identity features two intertwined petroleum drops, symbolising strong collaboration between public and private institutions and reaffirming Namibia’s commitment to developing local expertise...
Angola unveils new digital border upgrade
Angola has taken a proactive approach with the deployment of SITA’s Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record Gateway (API PNR Gateway) at Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport. The new system is supported by SITA’s Passenger Information Unit (PIU) consultancy services. As aviation’s tech engine, SITA aims to make travel safer, easier, and more...









