President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah responded to opposition concerns about the ACC's N$109-million budget allocation by arguing that financial resources alone cannot combat corruption without a shift in mindset and individual accountability.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah responded to opposition concerns about the ACC's N$109-million budget allocation by arguing that financial resources alone cannot combat corruption without a shift in mindset and individual accountability.
The Landless People's Movement boycotted President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state of the nation address on Wednesday, arguing that the Sona is repetitive, lacks substance, and masks poor government performance. The party criticized the eighth administration for repackaging old promises, failing to provide meaningful solutions, and reducing the platform to "political theatre" that limits debate.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered the 2026 state of the nation address on 8 April, outlining government progress on economic growth, human development, environmental sustainability, and governance. The address highlighted achievements including GDP growth projection of 3.1%, 130,000 new jobs registered, major investments in mining and renewable energy, and sectoral initiatives in agriculture, education, health, housing, and sports aligned with the sixth national development plan and Vision 2030.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to address employment creation, housing affordability, fuel prices, and service delivery in today's state of the nation address. Politicians, businesses, civil society, and economists are calling for practical solutions and progress reports on previous commitments, including the 500,000 jobs target and structural economic reforms.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that Namibia and Germany are nearing the end of negotiations over the 1904–1908 Ovaherero and Nama genocide, with a joint declaration expected to be tabled in parliament and the matter concluded before the end of 2026. The previous German offer of €1.1 billion over 30 years as development aid had been rejected by parliament and affected communities in 2021, who demanded direct reparations and greater involvement in talks.
The Namibian Employers' Federation has raised concerns about increasing ministerial involvement in company-level labour disputes, arguing that direct engagement by the minister risks blurring institutional boundaries and undermining established legal processes under the Labour Act. Federation president Elia Shikongo called for reaffirmation of the roles of the minister, labour commissioner, and statutory dispute-resolution bodies to ensure clarity and credibility in labour relations.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered a State of the Nation Address highlighting Namibia's economic resilience despite global shocks, progress in oil and gas policy with Norwegian technical support, and achievements across sectors including mining (N$64.7 billion in exports), agriculture (N$2 billion in agricultural products), tourism, energy, and education, with GDP growth projected to rise from 1.7% in 2025 to 3.1% in 2026.
James Unomasa Uerikua, a Swapo parliamentarian and former governor of Otjozondjupa who died in a motor vehicle accident, is remembered by business figure Knowledge Katti as a compassionate leader who consistently supported entrepreneurs and demonstrated integrity.
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has rejected a contract extension for Rundu Town Council CEO Olavi Nathanael, citing chaotic financial management including a N$254 million outstanding water debt to NamWater, adverse audit findings, and seven years without official auditing. The council has formally notified Nathanael that his employment will end on 3 May 2026.
The banking sector's loan-to-deposit ratio jumped from 76.1% in 2024 to 87.5% by end-2025 as loans grew and deposits declined slightly, though the ratio remains below the 95% threshold that signals liquidity crisis risk. The Bank of Namibia notes the higher ratio indicates strong loan demand amid tightening deposit inflows, reinforcing the need for careful liquidity management.
MTC's Branding and Marketing Indaba, running until 10 April in Windhoek, involves N$4.6 million in investment from delegates and the company. The event, themed 'Marketing From the Heart', brings together marketing experts and aims to build meaningful connections, with government backing branding as key to Namibia's global positioning.
Eicher, a multinational truck manufacturer with roots dating to 1948, has launched in Namibia through distributor Autohaus Truck and Bus. The vehicles feature fuel-monitoring systems, customizable chassis, and cabins designed for operator comfort, with applications spanning courier services, construction, commerce, and health sectors.
Hyundai's redesigned Santa Fe, a seven-seater SUV with a boxy luxury design, entered Namibia's market in June 2025 and arrived in Windhoek three weeks ago. The vehicle features a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid engine delivering 175kW and 367Nm, comprehensive safety features, and fuel efficiency of under 900km range from a 67-litre tank.
Nampower MD Kahenge Haulofu addressed the training centre's graduation ceremony, highlighting the organisation's commitment to vocational training aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. He showcased a notable project where trainees designed and built a solar-powered, smart-automated modular structure demonstrated at the Ongwediva trade fair, and encouraged graduates to pursue entrepreneurship and job creation with their newly acquired skills.
Old Mutual Investment Group has appointed Sepo Haihambo as managing director designate for its Namibian operations effective 1 April. Haihambo brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in banking, investment management and financial services, including previous roles at First National Bank Namibia.
The Bank of Namibia has completed disbursement of N$500 million in loans to 433 small and medium enterprises across construction, real estate and business services. The scheme, reintroduced in February 2023 with relaxed eligibility criteria, now transitions to a monitoring phase after distributing loans ranging from N$50,000 to N$10 million with favourable terms including a six-month repayment holiday.
Chery is introducing the Tiggo 7 Executive, a higher-specification derivative of the Tiggo 7 Prime, featuring upgraded safety technology including seven airbags and driver-assistance systems, along with enhanced comfort features such as a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and premium upholstery. The model retains the same turbocharged 1.5-litre engine and is expected in Namibian showrooms soon.
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has confirmed that the facelifted Ford Territory will go on sale in Namibia in the coming weeks, featuring enhanced design, smart technology, and app connectivity. The new model is powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine with 138kW and 318Nm, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Mitsubishi has unveiled the all-new Destinator, a seven-seater SUV starting at N$489,990 that combines rugged SUV appeal with MPV practicality, featuring a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, flexible seating configurations, and a comprehensive safety package targeted at emerging markets like Namibia. The vehicle has already seen early demand ahead of its official local reveal.
TransUnion Africa has appointed Annemie Botha as General Counsel effective 1 February 2026, to lead the company's Legal, Risk and Compliance function across eight African countries including Namibia. Botha brings over 17 years of experience in legal advisory, compliance, privacy and corporate governance, most recently serving as Director of Compliance at TransUnion Africa.
Private sector credit extension in Namibia reached 4.7% year-on-year in February 2026, a tentative rebound from earlier months, though growth is increasingly driven by corporate borrowing as households retrench under financial strain. FNB Namibia warns the modest improvement masks fragile underlying conditions, with household credit growth slowing and structural constraints in key sectors limiting broader credit expansion.
ICT minister Emma Theofelus opened the second MTC Branding and Marketing Indaba in Windhoek, emphasising the importance of marketing and branding professionals in shaping Namibia's global image. She called for stronger collaboration across the marketing and advertising sectors to position Namibia competitively as a destination for investment, tourism, talent and products.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said in her State of the Nation Address that GDP has grown from N$190 billion to N$270 billion over the past five years, with tax revenue rising from N$55 billion to N$76 billion at a 9% compound growth rate. The government attributes the growth to prudent policies and strategic investments, maintaining a tax-to-GDP ratio of 30.5% that places Namibia among Africa's top three.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that Norway's government has agreed to provide technical support for developing Namibia's oil and gas sectors, citing Norway's international leadership in accountability and effective use of oil revenue. The President also defended her decision to place oil and gas supervision under the Presidency as a guard against the resource curse and urged Parliament to urgently pass the petroleum amendment bill to enable her oversight of upstream oil and gas activities.
The Bank of Namibia has agreed to purchase gold from Navachab Gold Mine for its reserves, but will send the unrefined gold abroad to be refined to international standards and is considering storage at the Bank of England in London. The central bank will buy gold through planned transactions over several months at prevailing market prices, aiming for a single-digit allocation to its foreign reserves.
Australian-listed Askari Metals has confirmed deposits of tin, lithium, tantalum, rubidium and caesium at its Uis Project in Namibia. The company plans to use results from its trenching programme to inform renewed drilling operations in the second half of 2026.
Brent crude has fluctuated between US$109–111 per barrel following US President Donald Trump's threats to take military action against Iran and demands that it reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The International Energy Agency warned that the resulting oil and gas crisis is more severe than those of 1973, 1979, and 2022 combined.
Namdeb, NAMITVEST Investment Holdings, and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia have signed a Payroll Deduction Agreement enabling employees to invest in NAMITVEST products through automatic payroll deductions, aimed at improving financial inclusion and wealth building among mineworkers.
The Popular Democratic Movement warns that seasonal floods in the Zambezi region have left affected communities destitute, displacing over 2,074 people and destroying homes, livestock, and crops. The party calls for intensified government relief efforts to provide food, clean water, shelter, and medical supplies, citing risks to food security, waterborne disease outbreaks, and human-wildlife conflict.
Farmers around Lake Liambezi are rushing to harvest maize, sorghum and other crops weeks early as floodwaters advance from Angola through the Zambezi Region. The premature harvesting follows earlier locust damage, and officials warn more severe flooding is expected in coming weeks, with water levels potentially rising above seven metres and affecting multiple constituencies including Kabbe South, Sibbinda and Katima Rural.
Seasonal flooding has disrupted the Ministry of Agriculture's spraying campaign against a locust outbreak in the Zambezi region that has threatened crop fields and livelihoods since January. By early March, the ministry had sprayed 7,124 hectares of an identified 32,896 hectares using ground teams and drones before floods brought operations to a halt.
Lourens Aib and Hendrik !Nowoseb were each sentenced to 30 years in prison for the October 2014 murder of Gert Koekemoer during a violent house robbery in Outjo, as well as an attempted murder and assault on a woman at a tuck shop. The judge noted the men's prior criminal history and that Koekemoer, an elderly man, deserved to be safe in his own home.
Edward Nkata, one of three people accused of murdering a nine-year-old girl in Windhoek in January 2020, told police he slapped and kicked the child after questioning her behaviour; the girl subsequently lost consciousness and died from head injuries, after which Nkata claims he disposed of her body by placing it in a rubbish skip and setting it on fire.
A former Standard Bank Namibia employee has been arrested and charged with 12 counts of fraud for allegedly transferring N$4 million from clients' accounts to her own between April and August 2024. She is being held in custody pending further investigations and a court appearance on 18 May.
Tobias Nambala, speaking at a Nampower graduation ceremony, emphasised that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is essential for addressing Namibia's skills needs across energy, construction, and manufacturing sectors. He called on graduates to embrace professionalism, lifelong learning, and pride in their craft as they enter the workforce.
A study found that people using AI chatbots were less likely to correctly identify medical conditions and no better at determining where to seek care than those using conventional sources. While the chatbots possess medical knowledge and can pass licensing exams, real-world use suffers from communication failures between humans and machines, such as users missing mentioned diagnoses or providing incomplete information.
A controlled landfill in Walvis Bay has transformed into an informal settlement housing over 100 shacks and more than 300 people, with residents reporting illegal tyre burning, undercover prostitution, domestic violence, and drug activity. The situation raises serious environmental and health concerns for surrounding communities, prompting authorities to engage stakeholders on de-proclaiming the portion within Dorob National Park to enable better municipal management.
The Editors' Forum of Namibia will exclude non-member media houses from its annual journalism awards from 2027 onwards, citing the need to ensure all participants are subject to the same ethical standards and accountability mechanisms. The 2026 edition, sponsored by First National Bank with N$250 000, will remain open to all journalists and introduces a new cybercrime reporting category.
A warning statement from Edward Nkata, accused of murdering nine-year-old Akundaishe Natalie Chipomho in 2020, was read in Windhoek High Court, in which he claims he kicked the child during a confrontation and that she died the next day, after which he and his wife dumped and burned her body in a municipal skip container. Nkata and his wife Caroline, along with the child's mother Rachel Kureva, face charges including murder, violating a dead body, and related offences.
Namibia's Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has established a 60-day window allowing biological parents to reclaim children they have surrendered to the State, after which the child enters formal State care and becomes eligible for adoption. The government has also designated safe facilities—police stations, hospitals, and schools—where parents may legally surrender children without prosecution, aiming to prevent dangerous abandonments in unsafe locations.
Three flood-affected schools in Kabbe North and Kabbe South have relocated approximately 528 learners to higher ground in Luhonono and Lusese, with classes resuming on Tuesday. The Ministry of Works and Transport assisted with the relocation using larger and smaller boats, and learners will be accommodated in hostels, community facilities, and temporary classroom tents while the region deploys floating bridges to restore access to isolated communities.
Ncamagoro Combined School in Kavango West region faces persistent challenges with poor attendance and learner indiscipline, driven largely by the growing number of child-headed households. The principal attributes absences to factors including children searching for food, long daily walks of 10–15 kilometres, hunger, and lack of parental guidance, with 15 teenage pregnancies recorded last year alone.
The City of Windhoek's Disaster Risk Management team inspected the Max Mutongolume informal settlement following heavy rains and found residents living in riverbeds where natural water flow occurs. The municipality has warned residents against occupying flood-prone and illegally allocated land.
At least 15 foreign crew members, predominantly Russian, aboard the Venus fishing vessel owned by Hodago say they have been stuck on the vessel for several months with their passports allegedly confiscated by the company. The Russian Embassy told New Era it is aware of the situation and is working with relevant authorities to resolve the issue.
Streaming platforms and networks are increasingly betting on revivals of established shows like 'Malcolm in the Middle' and 'Scrubs', leveraging nostalgia as both a marketing strategy and audience comfort mechanism. Media analysts say the trend reflects lower financial risk for networks, generational cycles of viewership, and the psychological appeal of familiar content during uncertain times.
Vocalcast Production withdrew from an international music event intended for Namibia after concluding that operational and financial plans did not align with local values and standards. The company argues that successful events must be designed with Namibian people in mind, rather than following international templates that ignore local context and logistical realities.
The Namibian's weekly events guide lists cultural and social activities in Windhoek and beyond, including theatre performances for secondary pupils, the Windhoeker Karneval (Wika) festival with live music and food events, author workshops, hiking, reading groups, and recurring activities such as quiz nights, swing dancing, and language exchanges.
The NPFL returns this weekend with several key matches, including a closely contested title race between log leaders African Stars SC (50 points) and Eeshoke Chula Chula (49 points). Multiple fixtures across the country will see clubs competing to secure positions in the top eight before the season concludes.
Namibian swimmers won 22 medals (8 gold, 7 silver, 7 bronze) at the South Africa Level 2 Gala in Germiston, with the Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation team finishing fifth overall out of 43 teams from the Southern African region. Notable performers included Liam Grove with three gold medals in breaststroke events and Ermano van Wyk with two gold medals, reflecting the federation's growing regional competitiveness.
Namibian professional boxer Errikie Errikie won the vacant WBC silver youth junior lightweight title in East London, South Africa, defeating local favourite Lonwabo Sizani by fourth-round technical knockout in his first fight outside Namibia.
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool 2-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg, with goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, giving the holders a significant advantage heading into next week's return at Anfield. Liverpool, playing in a defensive three-man shape and without Mohamed Salah in the lineup, spent much of the match on the back foot against a dominant PSG side.
Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth scored to give Atletico Madrid a commanding 2-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, with Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi sent off before half-time. Barcelona must stage a comeback in the second leg next Tuesday in Madrid to advance to the semi-finals.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that the feasibility study for upgrading Windhoek's Independence Stadium has been approved following consultations with Confederation of African Football inspectors, with Namibia awaiting a detailed CAF report on next steps to meet international standards. The government has also identified 121 community sports facility sites nationwide, with designs completed for 28 sites and construction already underway in several regions.
The state-owned Roads Contractor Company has requested a N$500 million loan from the Development Bank of Namibia to build sport stadiums across 14 regions without a public tender process. The project, part of the president's infrastructure pledge to all 121 constituencies, has raised concerns about unclear costs, lack of transparency, and potential involvement of foreign contractors despite a directive limiting subcontracting to local small and medium enterprises.
Seventeen graduate players from Collin Benjamin Soccer Talents represented their regions at the recently concluded Nedbank Newspaper Cup, with eight earning Man of the Match awards. Erongo region won the tournament with seven CBS players, including player-of-tournament Shahid Naobeb, prompting CBS coach Henrico Botes to credit the academy's development formula as working effectively.
Usuta Mbaire, City Boys FC captain, traces his football journey from street games in Okuryangava through Fortis Football Academy to leading his team to second-division promotion and now competing in the first division. A central midfielder who credits his mother's support, faith, and a return from setbacks in South Africa with shaping his character, Mbaire emphasizes patience and continuous improvement as keys to his career.
The Namibia Tennis Association has officially launched the HMVK Windhoek Autumn Open, sponsored by RMB Namibia, running until Sunday at the Central Tennis Courts with matches featuring the country's top 32 players. The tournament honours Namibian tennis legends and offers prize money ranging from N$10,000 for the winner to N$500 for quarterfinalists.
Standard Bank Namibia has relaunched the Top 8 Cup, a tournament for the top eight teams in the Namibia Premier Football League, with N$2.5 million in sponsorship. The competition, last held in 2019, will feature matches across Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Oshakati, with the champion receiving N$600,000.
Marine expert Rod Braby has urged Namibia to finalize its Blue Economy Policy, complete marine spatial planning, and accede to the High Seas Treaty ahead of the 2026 Our Ocean Conference in Kenya. Braby noted that Namibia currently has only 1.6% of its exclusive economic zone under marine protected area management, though the government has committed to increasing this to 11% within two years.
Gunmen killed at least 18 people across northern and central Nigeria in recent attacks, with around 150 reportedly kidnapped in raids on remote villages in Zamfara state. The violence reflects ongoing bandit activity in northwestern Nigeria, where criminal gangs conduct deadly raids, kidnappings for ransom, and looting, often in collaboration with jihadist groups.
Ismail Omar Guelleh, who has ruled Djibouti since 1999, is poised to extend his control of the strategically important Horn of Africa nation in a presidential election widely dismissed as uncompetitive, with the opposition divided and a human rights monitor calling it a "masquerade."
US lawmakers are split over President Trump's ceasefire announcement regarding Iran, with some Democrats calling for his removal from office over his earlier threat to destroy Iranian civilization, while Republicans largely support the decision as a strong defense posture.
France's greenhouse gas emissions fell just 1.5% in 2025, marking a second straight year of slower cuts and falling well short of the 4% annual reduction needed to meet its 2030 climate targets. The slowdown reflects challenges across major economies in reducing emissions from politically sensitive sectors like transportation and energy, as global geopolitical tensions and economic pressures divert attention from climate action.