The Mariental Residents Association handed a petition to the town mayor objecting to a planned N$80 million municipal office construction, citing concerns over the relocation of residents from Extensions 2 and 3 to Extension 5 (described as a former dumpsite), lack of compensation for flood damage, alleged municipal negligence, and non-implementation of council transparency requirements.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The Mariental Residents Association handed a petition to the town mayor objecting to a planned N$80 million municipal office construction, citing concerns over the relocation of residents from Extensions 2 and 3 to Extension 5 (described as a former dumpsite), lack of compensation for flood damage, alleged municipal negligence, and non-implementation of council transparency requirements.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The PDM's McHenry Venaani received a delegation of former Swapo refugees repatriated in 1989, who have been camping at Swapo headquarters since October 2025 with longstanding grievances. Venaani committed to advocating for the group at the national level, though the UN and Swapo have disputed claims regarding fund diversion and repatriation support.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Information Minister Emma Theofelus announced that parastatals under the information ministry will have their subsidies reduced by 3% annually for the next three years, with government expecting them to develop alternative revenue streams and achieve greater financial independence while still meeting public service mandates.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
The United Democratic Party has expressed concern over Geoffrey Mwilima's conditional release from prison, saying the restrictions imposed—particularly bars on associating with UDP members or participating in party activities—undermine the meaning of remission and amount to continued intimidation. UDP Elders' Council member Alfred Kapolota argued that imposing restrictions on the elderly and ill former Caprivi convict defeats the purpose of remission and that the party would have preferred unconditional release.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Gender Equality and Child Welfare Minister Emma Kantema called on staff to embrace a "business unusual" approach focused on decisive action, accountability and measurable results in service delivery. She stressed that public service is about serving citizens—not personal comfort—and urged staff to address gender-based violence, child protection and other challenges through problem-solving and follow-up rather than passing citizens between offices.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Bank Windhoek has upgraded its ATM network to accept deposits of the new Namibia Dollar banknotes introduced by the Bank of Namibia in 2025, supporting the country's currency modernisation efforts. Customers can now deposit the enhanced N$200, N$100, N$50, N$20, N$10, and commemorative N$30 notes at select cash deposit ATMs across the country.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's communications regulator plans to introduce 5G services and low Earth orbit satellite internet while phasing out 2G and 3G networks in 2026, with operators required to deliver minimum download speeds of 25 Mbps by October. Competition will intensify as a third mobile operator enters the market and sector infrastructure modernizes to support industrial applications in mining, agriculture, health and education.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
According to the StartupBlink Innovators Business Environment Index 2026, Namibia has been ranked as Africa's most trustworthy and stable country to start a new company, ranking first in Africa in the market perception pillar. The ranking evaluates conditions across ease of operating a business, business incentives, and market perception—assessing governance quality, credibility, transparency, stability, human capital, and international mobility across over 125 countries.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia sold 14,502 new vehicles in 2025, a 13% increase from 2024, driven by lower interest rates and stronger demand across passenger and commercial segments. December sales totalled 1,138 units, down 8.5% from November but up 3.5% year-on-year, with Toyota maintaining market dominance across all vehicle categories.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia imported rice valued at N$31 million in November from Thailand and South Africa, while exporting no rice, according to Namibia Statistics Agency data. The country recorded a trade deficit of N$4.4 billion in November, up significantly from N$2.9 billion in October, with South Africa emerging as the largest trading partner for both exports and imports.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Trustco Group Holdings is re-evaluating its plan to delist from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange following the JSE's approval of simplified listing requirements, reversing years of threats to exit Africa's largest bourse over disputes about financial statement compliance. The company's board is assessing whether the new requirements address its concerns about the JSE's questioning of its board independence and financial integrity.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia recorded a trade deficit of N$4.4 billion in November 2025, worsening from N$2.9 billion in October, according to the Namibian Statistics Agency. Mining commodities including gold, uranium, and diamonds formed the bulk of exports, while the country ran trade deficits in beverages and trade surpluses in food products.
29 January 2026 · Informanté →
Chery has announced a Trans-national Warranty Programme effective from 2026, allowing owners to access warranty repairs at authorised service centres across all countries where Chery operates, supported by a global digital warranty management system. The programme applies to Chery's full product range and ensures customers travelling or relocating internationally can receive professional after-sales support with terms following their original warranty agreement and local market regulations.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Hyundai's updated 2026 Tucson features a refreshed exterior, modern 12.3-inch infotainment display, cleaner dashboard, and enhanced safety features while retaining its reliable 2.0-litre petrol engine. The model aims to deliver improved technology and perceived quality at a competitive price point in Namibia's compact SUV market.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Namibia has been ranked first in Africa for market perception in the StartupBlink Innovators Business Environment Index 2026, reflecting strong institutional trust, good governance, and stability. The ranking recognises Namibia's investor-friendly business environment and reforms such as the Investor One Stop Centre and ScaleUp Namibia platform.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
20Twenty Financial Solutions, a Namibian home loan specialist, has issued its first sustainability-linked note to fund an inflation-linked home loan model targeting first-time buyers and women underrepresented in the formal mortgage market. The issuance comes amid Namibia's acute housing crisis, with Windhoek facing a backlog of around 300,000 units and average house prices at N$1.38 million, placing formal homeownership beyond reach for many households.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Kaoko Fria Investment has completed the feasibility study for a mega-infrastructure project at Cape Fria in the Kunene region, which includes a deep-sea port, smart city, airport, and logistics corridors. The project, initially budgeted at US$74 billion, now estimated at US$100 billion, is deemed environmentally acceptable, technically feasible, economically justified, and financially bankable, with plans for phased implementation through public-private partnerships.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Langer Heinrich Mine mined 5.53 million tonnes in Q4 2025 and produced 1.23 million pounds of uranium concentrate, representing a 16% increase from the previous quarter. The mine is expected to reach full production by 2027, with the remaining mining fleet arriving at Walvis Bay Port for delivery by end of January 2026.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is introducing new regulations to manage sand and gravel mining in Namibia in response to environmental damage, lost livelihoods, and safety risks from unregulated mining. The regulations will categorize mining into domestic and commercial operations, establish safety standards, create permit requirements with fines and enforcement measures, and establish levies and community trust funds for affected communities.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Tuesday's rainfall affected regions from north to south, with Okahandja in Otjozondjupa recording over 85 mm and other areas ranging from 3 mm to 55 mm. More widespread showers are expected across the country as the week progresses.
29 January 2026 · Informanté →
The government has settled close to N$30 million owed to farmers who supplied livestock and meat products during the 2024/25 Drought Relief Programme, with Meatco's interim CEO describing the move as a confidence-building measure for the red meat value chain and part of efforts to restore trust with producers and stakeholders.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's agriculture ministry is expanding green scheme projects nationwide to increase crop production and food security. Multiple schemes are targeting significantly higher yields this season—including Sikondo aiming to double production to 3,129 tonnes, Ndonga Linena projecting a 40% increase to 8,640 tonnes, and Etunda targeting 3,600 tonnes—through expanded cultivated areas, rehabilitated irrigation infrastructure, and improved farming technologies.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Community members in Havo village, Mukwe constituency, report a four-year water crisis stemming from deteriorating 30-year-old water tanks, with only one of three boreholes functioning. While the Department of Rural Water Supply identified a new borehole location in 2025, progress has stalled pending lab results to confirm water safety.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
The Office of the Judiciary has clarified that interpreter allocation at courts is determined by geographical location and dominant regional languages, following concerns about the availability of Otjiherero and Damara/Nama interpretation services at Opuwo Magistrate's Court. The Judiciary spokesperson stated that systematic processes are in place to source specific language interpreters in advance and that no case backlog has been attributed solely to interpreter shortages.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The Anti-Corruption Commission arrested sergeant Victory Vatileni and inmate Fillemon Kadhikwa in January following an alleged 2023 bribery incident at Ondangwa Police Station, where Kadhikwa allegedly offered N$2,000 to avoid a fraud charge and Vatileni allegedly facilitated the transaction without recording it. Both were granted bail of N$2,000 each, and the case was postponed to 10 June for fixing a trial date.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia National Career Week 2026 will convene over 5,000 young Namibians in Windhoek for a two-day expo connecting students with employment and educational opportunities across government, private sector, and educational institutions. The event will feature industry speakers, exhibitors showcasing scholarships and training programmes, and networking sessions, with free transport provided for school pupils.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
A magnitude 2.4 tremor was recorded in Windhoek on Thursday morning and confirmed by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy. Five residents reported experiencing weak shaking and rattling, with the ministry noting that no damages are expected from tremors of this magnitude.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
A polio vaccination campaign in Omusati's border post clinics has vaccinated 532 children so far, with the first phase ongoing until Thursday and a second phase scheduled for 24–27 February. The Ministry of Health urges parents nationwide to bring children under ten for vaccination to ensure no child is missed.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
A 25-year-old Namibian man who was struck by a truck on the B2 road near Karibib on 19 January has been identified by his family as Benjamin Dewayine Buruxa Geingob. Police were initially unable to identify him due to missing identity documents; the family identified him at the Walvis Bay mortuary after filing a missing person report when he failed to return home.
29 January 2026 · Informanté →
Riddick Melchior /Narib has been found guilty of murdering five-year-old Dantali Wilfried Eiseb on 6 January 2023, after assaulting the child with a brick in the dunes of Narraville and burying him in a shallow grave. /Narib pleaded guilty to murder and to defeating the course of justice, and was convicted by High Court Judge Naomi Shivute.
29 January 2026 · Informanté →
The Automobile Association has expressed concern over Global NCAP crash test results showing the Toyota Corolla Cross sold in Africa received a two-star rating for adult occupant protection due to the absence of standard side head protection, despite being manufactured locally in South Africa. The AA argues that African consumers deserve the same vehicle safety standards applied in other international markets and is calling for stronger regulatory standards and manufacturer accountability across the continent.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
The University of Namibia has set a N$50,000 debt threshold allowing senior undergraduate students to register for 2026 without paying their full outstanding balances upfront, provided they sign a formal payment agreement. Students owing more than N$50,000 must reduce their balances below the threshold first, and payment agreements must be signed by 16 February 2026.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Mutwarantja Primary School in Rundu Rural has suspended classes for a second week because its pit latrines are unsafe for teachers and learners in grades 0–7. The education directorate is working on a procurement process for temporary and permanent sanitation solutions, while the school explores immediate repairs using available funds.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Iuze Mukube Riddick Melchior (32) was found guilty of murdering his five-year-old stepson Dantali Wilfried by repeatedly hitting him with a brick and cutting him with a knife in January 2023, and of defeating the course of justice by burying the body. The Windhoek High Court conviction followed Melchior's guilty pleas after he admitted his actions were intentional and unlawful, though motivated by anger at the child's mother.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
The Khomas Regional Council opened its 2026 calendar with a focus on its five-year Strategic Plan, allocating over N$2.5 million for water projects including borehole rehabilitation and drilling, over N$1 million for sanitation with 60 toilets completed and 115 under construction, and funding health infrastructure improvements including antenatal care facilities and air conditioning at clinics.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) has criticised the education ministry for excluding disability-disaggregated data from the 2025 NSSCO and AS national examination results, saying for the second consecutive year learners with disabilities are rendered invisible in national reporting. The ministry responded that it reported all candidates collectively as an inclusive approach, while Nanso argues that without separate disability data, the system cannot assess whether learners with disabilities are accessing and succeeding in education.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has deepened its partnership with the Namibian Correctional Service to rehabilitate inmates through spiritual guidance, counselling, and religious instruction, with the NCS commissioner noting that faith-based engagement has helped create calmer correctional environments and improved inmate behaviour. The partnership also includes training correctional officers in counselling, behaviour control, and leadership, while emphasising the importance of community support for former offenders to prevent reoffending.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Photographer Namafu Amutse is exhibiting at Offenes Kulturhaus Linz in Austria alongside Senegalese and Ugandan artists in 'Wandala – drama. dream. decolonised!', using Namibia's landscapes to explore black masculinity, Aawambo culture, and afrofuturism. Her work resists narratives of limitation and crisis by situating futuristic elements within familiar natural settings, inviting viewers to reimagine Africa beyond dominant contemporary framings.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian publishes a curated guide to February events in Windhoek and beyond, featuring music recitals, fitness challenges (Edumove Run/Walk/Cycle, Leka 'n Nice Relay), workshops (yoga, dumpling-making, actor training), networking events, and recurring activities at local venues.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The Miss Petite Global Namibia 2026 pageant will take place on Saturday in Windhoek, with the winner receiving a N$10,000 cash prize and the opportunity to represent Namibia at the international pageant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in May. The pageant aims to provide petite women with modelling and beauty industry opportunities while emphasizing personal development and confidence-building.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ubuntu Breakfast Run took place in Karibib on the last Sunday of January, bringing together motorcyclists from various clubs. Felix Tjozongoro, an avid biker and road safety campaigner, highlighted the importance of road safety and the spirit of ubuntu that unites the biking community, while emphasizing the need for other motorists to respect and be aware of motorcyclists on the road.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's senior men's football team will participate in the FIFA Series during the March and April international window in Kazakhstan, where the Brave Warriors will play two official matches in a group with Kuwait, Comoros, and hosts Kazakhstan. Head coach Collin Benjamin called the invitation a positive step for Namibian football, with matches counting towards the FIFA World Rankings.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Lazarus Shatipamba, who has played chess for 12 years and holds a FIDE rating of 1764, credits the game with sharpening his decision-making and developing strategic thinking. He aims to break the 1800–1900 FIDE rating barrier and hopes to inspire the next generation of Namibians through chess.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's national futsal team defeated Kenya 10-7 in the second leg of Round One qualifying for the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations, securing an 18-11 aggregate victory. The Brave 5 will face Libya in Round Two, with matches scheduled for 4 and 8 February, to determine who qualifies for the tournament in Morocco.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
American YouTube sensation IShowSpeed toured Namibia, visiting Himba and San communities in Okahandja, learning traditional practices, and sampling local food. The streamer was hosted by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and expressed interest in supporting local campaigns in the communities he visited.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Environment will temporarily close a section of the Okaukuejo–Namutoni Road from 1 February 2026 to upgrade gravel roads to sealed roads. Visitors will be directed via the Gemsbokvlakte detour and a newly constructed bypass until the entire project is completed by 26 February 2026.
29 January 2026 · Informanté →
India's High Commission celebrated its 77th Republic Day in Windhoek, with officials from both countries highlighting recent diplomatic progress including PM Modi's 2024 visit and a cheetah translocation project, and expressing commitment to strengthening bilateral relations in trade, health, and education.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
India's High Commission in Namibia hosted a reception marking India's 77th Republic Day, highlighting strengthened bilateral relations including Prime Minister Modi's July 2025 visit, Namibia's participation in Indian-led initiatives, and expanded people-to-people exchanges through sports and capacity-building programmes.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
Families in Tanzania are searching for relatives killed during violent unrest following the October 2025 election, with hundreds of bodies believed to have been dumped in mass graves by authorities. Security forces allegedly shot protesters and killed an estimated 2,000 people during five days of violence, while the government has withheld an official death toll and the internet was shut down during the unrest.
29 January 2026 · New Era →
The UN Security Council voted on Tuesday to terminate UNMHA, a mission that enforced a ceasefire in Yemen's port city of Hodeida, with the mandate ending by 31 March after six years. The US cited Houthi obstructionism as the reason, while Denmark noted that the Houthis' arbitrary detention of UN personnel had narrowed the operating environment, though the mission had previously served as a stabilising presence in the conflict between the Iran-backed Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition-backed government.
29 January 2026 · New Era →