The Ministry of Works and Transport has issued a directive requiring all illegal tenants in government housing to vacate by 1 April 2026 or face monthly fines of up to N$10 500 plus 20% interest. The move addresses a longstanding problem of unauthorised occupation involving non-civil servants, unauthorised civil servants, subletters, and retired public servants, exacerbated by poor record-keeping and weak enforcement.
The Ministry of Works and Transport has issued a directive requiring all illegal tenants in government housing to vacate by 1 April 2026 or face monthly fines of up to N$10 500 plus 20% interest. The move addresses a longstanding problem of unauthorised occupation involving non-civil servants, unauthorised civil servants, subletters, and retired public servants, exacerbated by poor record-keeping and weak enforcement.
Former chief Sagarias Seibeb has filed for judicial review to challenge his November removal under the Traditional Authorities Act, citing financial mismanagement and leadership disputes. Community members oppose his comeback, citing allegations of nepotism, self-enrichment, and exclusive mining licences granted to a Chinese company, with an interim leadership arrangement now in place pending the court's decision.
Namibia's incoming information commissioner will earn N$120,000 monthly plus extensive benefits, exceeding the prime minister's estimated salary. The role, created to implement the Access to Information Act and strengthen public procurement transparency, will be filled through a formal recruitment process advertised by parliament.
A defence lawyer told the High Court that the magistrate's bail hearing for six individuals charged with fraud and corruption at Namcor was not conducted impartially or competently. The six accused, including former Namcor managing director Imms Mulunga and businessmen Peter and Malakia, are appealing against the magistrate's September refusal of bail in connection with alleged Namcor fraud involving the sale of filling station assets and unpaid fuel purchases.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has arranged a military funeral for late Swapo Cabinet minister and liberation struggle veteran Erkki Nghimtina, who died on 8 February and will be buried on 21 February at the Eenhana Shrine in Ohangwena. A series of memorial events, including Swapo Party, community, and state services, will precede the burial.
Judges Naomi Shivute and Dinah Usiku have struck an appeal by the State challenging bail granted to Cedric Willemse, former logistics and supply manager at Namcor, in the "Oilrot" case involving alleged fraud and irregular credit extensions at the state-owned petroleum corporation. The application was struck after the State Prosecutor failed to file substantive opposition within the required timeframe.
Thousands gathered to pay respects to late Ondangwa regional control prosecutor Justine Ndapandula Shiweda, who died on 7 February 2026 from injuries sustained in a violent attack in October 2025. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and other state officials condemned the attack and pledged that violence against law enforcement will be met with the full force of the law, while a trust fund has been established to support Shiweda's two young children.
TransNamib has suspended executives Webster Gonzo (human capital) and Alynsia Platt (properties) following an internal investigation into property contracts allegedly concluded without proper procurement procedures while Gonzo was acting CEO. The suspensions stem from findings in a 2022 Ernst and Young forensic audit that identified numerous irregularities in TransNamib's property management, including inadequate oversight, manipulated lease agreements, and N$700 000 in performance bonuses paid to executives while the company recorded monthly losses.
TransNamib has temporarily suspended two executives—Webster Gonzo (human capital) and Alynsia Platt (properties)—following a forensic investigation into property mismanagement, disposal irregularities, and statutory breaches. The suspensions will remain in place pending disciplinary proceedings.
Clothing retailer Big Daddy has called for local designers and entrepreneurs to apply for partnership opportunities in adult apparel, footwear, and accessories. Local designers welcomed the move as a transformative opportunity for small businesses and a chance to demonstrate the quality and competitiveness of Namibian-made goods in mainstream retail, though some noted challenges around production capacity and standardisation.
Namibian private sector credit grew 0.7% month-on-month in December to N$122.3 billion, with annual credit growth moderating to 4.4% y/y. Growth in credit to individuals remained below the inflation rate of 3.2%, while corporate credit growth slowed to 6.8% y/y.
The Namibia Revenue Agency clarified that goods imported from China are subject to customs duties of up to 45% plus VAT of 16.5%, totalling 61.5%, because Namibia lacks a bilateral trade agreement with China and therefore applies most-favoured nation tariff rates. Duty rates vary by product category according to internationally recognised Harmonised System tariff codes, with clothing and footwear ranging from 20–45% depending on fabric and type.
The Financial Action Task Force has accepted that Namibia has substantially completed its action plan addressing 13 strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, with reforms including enhanced supervision, beneficial ownership tracking, and improved law enforcement coordination. The country now faces an on-site assessment by the Africa Joint Group to verify full implementation before potentially exiting the FATF grey list.
TransNamib's Board has temporarily suspended two executives, Webster Gonzo (Executive – Human Capital) and Alynsia Platt (Executive – Properties), following a forensic investigation into property mismanagement, disposal irregularities, and statutory breaches. The suspensions are pending disciplinary proceedings.
The Charcoal Association of Namibia is in talks with government to find an affordable way to regularise undocumented Angolan workers in the sector before the immigration amnesty ends in February. The association says previous arrangements for these workers were never formally recognised in law, and proposals have been submitted to the ministry for a new regulatory framework.
Londeka, Namibia's digital logistics platform connecting shippers with truck owners, has acquired a dedicated warehouse facility to support storage, relay, and distribution operations across the country. The facility enables flexible scheduling for customers purchasing goods in Windhoek for delivery to northern towns, and provides relay points for truck operators to reduce empty return trips and improve fleet efficiency.
The Namibia Deposit Guarantee Authority has launched its 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, raising the deposit guarantee coverage limit to N$50,000 per depositor—up from N$25,000—which now protects over 90% of current depositors and strengthens financial stability and consumer protection.
The Namibian Competition Commission is holding a conference this week in Windhoek to gather input on the proposed sale of over 50 service stations operated by Vivo Energy and Engen to Nasan Energies. The divestiture is a regulatory condition imposed when Vivo Energy acquired Engen, requiring some operations be sold to Namibian-owned companies with no prior ties to the merging parties.
Namibian businessman Knowledge Katti confirmed that an agreement to sell a stake in petroleum exploration licence PEL104 to TotalEnergies and Petrobras remains subject to government approval. Under the terms, TotalEnergies will acquire 42.5%, Petrobras 42.5%, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia 10%, and Eight Offshore 5%.
French oil giant TotalEnergies has announced a deal with Galp to enter the Mopane field off Lüderitz with a 40% stake, complementing its 35.25% stake in the Venus field. The company plans to develop both fields as part of a multi-FPSO hub, with potential combined oil production of up to 350,000 barrels per day by 2030–2032.
The Namibia Meteorological Service has warned of severe thunderstorms and widespread showers expected across multiple interior regions on Monday, with flash flooding possible, following weekend rainfall that exceeded 50mm in several areas and reached over 140mm in parts of Oshikoto Region.
The Deputy Executive Director of Agriculture has warned that any foot-and-mouth disease outbreak could jeopardise Namibia's access to lucrative beef markets, emphasising the importance of maintaining the country's FMD-free status recognised since 1997. Regional FMD outbreaks in South Africa and Botswana have elevated the risk profile and drawn international scrutiny to Namibia's disease status.
The Youth Opportunity Pillar under One Economy Foundation launched #EmpowerToEarn, a youth empowerment programme in partnership with FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust, to equip young people with income-generating skills in catering, hairdressing, and agriculture. Ninety youth from Okahandja, Groot Aub, and Rehoboth will participate in intensive workshops from 26 February to 6 March, combining practical training, entrepreneurship instruction, and financial literacy, with post-training business coaching and mentorship support.
Minister of Information Emma Theofelus has raised concerns that Kavango West region has no community or commercial radio stations, limiting residents' access to locally-produced content. She called for stakeholders to prioritise expansion of community broadcasting services and warned against the risks of AI in spreading misinformation across radio and digital platforms.
Ondangwa regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda, who was shot and doused with corrosive acid on 17 October 2025 and died on 7 February, was buried at her family cemetery in Oshana region on Saturday. Chief Justice Peter Shivute warned at her funeral that violence against court officers threatens Namibia's justice system and called for prosecutors and judges to remain committed to administering justice without fear or intimidation.
The National Council for Higher Education celebrated its 20th anniversary and inaugurated its new headquarters, with Vice President Lucia Witbooi calling for a higher education system that is globally competitive, locally relevant and socially just. The building was named in honour of the late Zedekia Josef Ngavirue, the Council's founding chairperson.
The National Housing Enterprises has begun construction of 100 low-cost houses in Eenhana town, Ohangwena Region, in response to growing housing demand among low-income earners. The N$74 million project will be implemented in phases, with the first phase expected to start next week.
Tributes at the memorial service and burial of State Prosecutor Justine Ndapandula Shiweda, who died in February following an acid and gun attack in October, described her as a principled and dedicated advocate for justice. Acting Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa urged prosecutors to remain steadfast despite the dangers, saying "we mourn but do not retreat. We grieve but do not surrender."
The //Kharas education directorate is constructing 18 classrooms at Chief Hendrick Tseib Primary School in Keetmanshoop to address learner placement challenges in the region. Six classrooms are complete with 212 learners already accommodated, and eight more are nearing completion to take in grade 4-7 learners by the second semester.
Geoffrey Jeff Kasume, a 40-year-old Kenyan national, was charged with the murder of Regina Nambashu Kondombolo (33), whose body was found in her home in Otjomuise's Extension 2. The State opposed bail citing premature investigations, flight risk concerns, and allegations that Kasume may have tampered with evidence at the scene.
Namibian Police in Kavango West intercepted nearly 12 kg of cannabis at Nankudu village on Friday, arresting two Angolan nationals. Hours later, officers arrested a Namibian male found with cannabis plants at Karanawa.
Criminals posing as taxi drivers are exploiting peak-hour congestion in Windhoek to rob commuters, prompting intensified joint operations by City Police and NamPol. Authorities urge commuters to use an official taxi verification app before boarding and report suspicious vehicles.
Following media coverage of Onanghulo Combined School's struggle with recurring floods, the government, local businesses, and individuals have donated beds, mattresses, kitchen equipment, and sanitation fittings for two newly built hostel blocks designed to keep learners in class during flood seasons. School principal Sedekia Udjombala said the response shows people are willing to help when learners' plight is made visible.
The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, with partner agencies, launched an awareness campaign across Kavango West constituencies to promote safe and responsible internet use ahead of World Radio Day and Safer Internet Day. Experts advised residents to guard personal information, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and report cybercrime.
The Central Elite Social Volleyball League for 2026 launched on 14 February with a focus on community giving, particularly to Katutura Hospital. The league aims to raise funds and donate sanitary pads to support the hospital's children's ward and female patients, with 20 registered teams playing one game per month.
80s Vocals is an acapella group from Ohangwena region that has become a cultural staple at weddings in northern Namibia, particularly among the Ovakwanyama people. Led by Talvi Mutilifa, the group guides wedding ceremonies from start to finish through carefully chosen songs and have released six albums while turning their passion for traditional music into a sustainable livelihood.
Namibian artists Jyz Yorke, Yung Kavin, and Kidd Mario released love songs around Valentine's Day, with several featuring local languages like Khoekhoegowab and Nyemba to celebrate Namibian culture and promote local music globally.
England's hopes of a first Grand Slam since 2016 were ended by Scotland in Edinburgh, while reigning champions France won their second match by trouncing Wales 54-12 in Cardiff in front of the smallest ever Six Nations crowd there. Huw Jones scored twice for Scotland in a 31-20 Calcutta Cup victory, and Irish coach Andy Farrell said his side showed character in beating Italy 20-13 but must reduce errors ahead of facing England.
Napoli drew 2-2 at home against fourth-placed Roma on Sunday, with Donyell Malen scoring twice for Roma and Alisson Santos equalizing in the 82nd minute. The result leaves Serie A champions Napoli 11 points behind leaders Inter and three adrift of second-placed Milan.
Lionel Coetzee dominated the men's long jump at the Khomas Athletics Championships with a leap of 7.71m, while several other Namibian athletes produced performances exceeding 1,000 World Athletics points. Coetzee said he aims to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and African Championships this season.
Nathan Chase and Maja Brinkmann made history by both winning gold medals at the Africa Junior Triathlon Championships in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday. Chase won the men's race in 58 minutes 34 seconds while Brinkmann won the women's race in 1:07:01, marking a significant achievement for Namibian triathlon.
Mighty Gunners Ladies remain atop the FNB Women Super League after beating Arrows Ladies 3-1, while Mighty Angels secured a valuable 3-2 away victory over Nust Babes and African Stars Queens had a strong weekend with two wins.
RB Leipzig drew 2-2 at home to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday, with Brighton loanee Brajan Gruda scoring a late equaliser in the 89th minute after Wolfsburg had taken the lead through Mohamed Amoura, Yan Diomande, and Mattias Svanberg's goals.
Arsenal advanced to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in six years, routing third-tier Wigan 4-0 at home with four goals in the first 27 minutes. The quadruple-chasing Gunners, leading the Premier League by four points and in multiple cup competitions, continue their pursuit of an unprecedented four trophies this season.
France defeated Wales 54-12 in their Six Nations match at Cardiff, with fly-half Matthieu Jalibert scoring one try and setting up three others in a dominant eight-try performance. France improved to two wins from two and remain the only side capable of a Grand Slam, while Wales sit bottom of the table with two heavy defeats.
India routed Pakistan by 61 runs in a T20 World Cup match on Sunday, with India scoring 175-7 and bowling out Pakistan for 114. The victory, anchored by Ishan Kishan's 77 runs, extended India's dominant record against Pakistan in World Cups and qualified India for the Super Eights stage.
Namibia lost to the United States by 31 runs at the T20 World Cup in Chennai, falling short of a 200-run target with a score of 168/6. The defeat leaves Namibia at the bottom of Group A with one group match remaining against Pakistan.
The United States defeated Namibia by 31 runs in their ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 encounter, with the USA posting 199/4 and Namibia reaching 168/6 in a brave chase led by opener Louren Steenkamp's 58.
The United States posted 199/4 against Namibia in a T20 Cricket World Cup match on Sunday, the highest total the USA has scored in the tournament. Namibia requires 200 runs to win, with captain Monank Patel reaching his 1000th T20 International run for the USA and Sanjay Krishnamurthi scoring 68 off a blistering partnership.
The Khomas Senior Athletics Championships at Independence Stadium drew more than 200 athletes from eight regions competing in track and field events. Tuuliki Angala of the Namibia Correctional Service delivered a standout performance in the 800m, choosing to compete against men to face faster competition.
The Central Tennis Club held its third annual Ladies Tennis Fun Day on Saturday, attracting 150 women to introduce them to tennis in a welcoming environment. The event, themed "Fall in Love with Tennis," aims to promote the sport and health among women while reducing barriers to entry through reduced membership fees.
African Stars chairman Salomo Hei says the club must be consulted and compensated for broadcasting its matches, arguing that clubs deserve fair value as the Namibia Premier Football League moves toward professionalism. The dispute follows an NFA announcement of a partnership with NBC and OneAfrica Television to broadcast league fixtures, with Stars subsequently demanding N$100,000 per game plus damages if their home matches are aired without payment.
Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp announced the submission of a nomination dossier for the Dâures/Brandberg national monument in the Erongo region to become a Unesco World Heritage Site, with a decision expected by July 2027. The site, a 135-million-year-old granitic inselberg containing rare archaeological traces and rock art, is expected to boost tourism, create jobs, and foster research if approved.
China will remove tariffs on imports from Namibia and all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, effective 1 May, according to an announcement by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson. The policy expands an existing zero-tariff arrangement that currently covers 33 African countries and forms part of broader efforts to deepen trade and economic cooperation under the China-Africa Cooperation framework.
At the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with the Green Climate Fund delegation to reaffirm Namibia's commitment to hosting the fund's African Regional Offices and addressing climate resilience. The president highlighted Namibia's vulnerability as one of sub-Saharan Africa's driest countries, noting severe impacts in regions like Kunene, and called for greater investment in water infrastructure and sanitation systems.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah, speaking at an Africa G20 summit review in Ethiopia, called on G20 leaders to strengthen debt treatment frameworks and provide concessional financing to African countries, highlighting the need for resources to address energy transition, industrialisation, and food security while managing debt-service costs.
Military attachés accredited to Namibia from nine countries paid a New Year courtesy call on the Chief of the Namibian Defence Force to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, promoting diplomacy and advancing peace and security in the region.
Namibia has officially opened a Satellite Ground Data Receiving Station, built with support from the People's Republic of China, making the country one of a select group of African nations with modern ground stations for receiving real-time satellite data. The facility will support evidence-based decision-making across key economic sectors, advance climate change response, resource management, and strengthen research and innovation capacity.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the African Union assembly in Addis Ababa, urging African nations to act collectively to secure economic independence, technological sovereignty, and control over natural resources while addressing escalating conflicts, debt distress, and climate change affecting the continent.
Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs has repatriated over 1,000 Angolan nationals illegally in the country for more than 12 months, plus 33 Congolese and 347 other foreign nationals through an amnesty programme. Despite these deportations, Angolan migrants continue crossing into Namibia seeking economic opportunity and relief from severe drought and food insecurity in Angola's southern regions.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called on African leaders to defend multilateralism and assert the continent's collective interests at the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, warning that Africa must not become a theatre for competing global powers and emphasizing the need to secure economic independence and control over natural resources.
Gaza's civil defence agency reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 11 people since dawn, with a military official citing Hamas ceasefire violations as justification. Despite a US-brokered truce that entered its second phase last month, violence has continued, with Israel and Hamas trading accusations of breaching the agreement.
Epafras Ndenga Ndaitwah addressed the 30th session of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development in Addis Ababa, calling for stronger institutions to build Africa's resilience through community resources, early climate warning systems, and locally-driven solutions.