The country’s non-banking financial institutions and financial services’ watchdog has appointed Imanuel Hawanga as general manager for capital markets.

The appointment by the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) is effective from 3 June 2024. 

Hawanga holds a Master of Science in International Banking and Finance degree from the University of Salford, Manchester, a postgraduate certificate in Microfinance from the University of Guglielmo Marconi in Italy, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Namibia. 

“My recent role was at the Bank of Namibia, where I dedicated 16 years, progressing from an examiner to Deputy Director: Offsite Analysis within the Banking Supervision department. I began my career in commercial banking in 2003, gaining five years of experience across various departments at FNB Namibia Ltd and Nedbank Namibia Ltd,” Hawanga said. 

He said he chose to join Namfisa to contribute to the development of the domestic financial sector, particularly for non-bank institutions, to drive the national agenda, and to further enhance his regulatory expertise. 

Namfisa was established to supervise non-banking financial institutions and financial services, and to advise the finance minister on finance-related matters. 

Namfisa is also tasked with supervising and enforcing compliance with the Financial Intelligence Act, 2012. This includes insurance, asset management, pension and medical aid funds, as well as money-lenders, and microlenders.