… More than fifty years after many African countries gained independence, one uncomfortable question confronts the continent: Have we preserved the meaning of Samora Machel’s words, or have we merely inherited his slogan? …
… The most immediate and devastating shock to the Namibian economy has come through global energy markets, where the US Iran war has sent crude prices skyrocketing and disrupted maritime chokepoints critical to the movement of petroleum products into southern Africa. …
… Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Transformational leadership is Namibia’s greatest development challenge Namibia is widely recognised as one of Africa’s most politically stable nations. …
… The call was made during the inaugural Dr Hage Geingob Town Hall Conversation which was held at the University of Namibia on Monday, where former leaders, academics and young professionals reflected on Geingob’s contribution to governance in Namibia and Africa. …
… By introducing the third wave of African leadership, or what we call ‘New Africa’, Dr Geingob challenges new African leaders to continue building ever more resilient governance systems that are democratic, developmental and ethical. …
… Over the past four years, Namibia has emerged as one of Africa’s most talked-about destinations for green hydrogen and renewable energy investment. …
… llion primary and secondary age boys are out of school worldwide and are more likely than girls to repeat primary grades and that few enrolled in secondary education. “A generation of boys raised to respect, support and stand as equals with women and girls would strengthen Africa …
An editorial argues that Namibia's proposed national airline must balance legitimate demands of sovereignty against the reality that expertise cannot be manufactured overnight. The piece notes that discussions with Ethiopian Airlines and other stakeholders are continuing with no binding agreement concluded, and emphasises that Namibian expertise and national interests must remain central to the chosen model.
An editorial argues that Namibia's proposed national airline must balance legitimate demands of sovereignty against the reality that expertise cannot be manufactured overnight. The piece notes that discussions with Ethiopian Airlines and other stakeholders are continuing with no binding agreement concluded, and emphasises that Namibian expertise and national interests must remain central to the chosen model.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended the African Union's 21st extraordinary session in Luanda, where African leaders renewed calls for the continent to take greater financial responsibility for its own peace and security priorities rather than relying on external funding.
Namibia's government has rejected a US proposal for health data and specimen-sharing worth over N$145 million per year for HIV and tuberculosis programmes, citing sovereignty and privacy violations. The US withdrew the biological specimen component in November 2025, though data-sharing negotiations continue.
At the UN Convention to Combat Desertification's COP17 in Mongolia, Environment Minister Indileni Daniel called for stronger international action on drought, warning that the failure to establish a robust global drought framework has severe consequences for drought-prone African countries including Namibia, as communities continue to lose livelihoods, livestock, and crops while negotiations continue.
Uefa has announced it is considering legal action against Fifa president Gianni Infantino and possibly other officials for "criminal mismanagement" over his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cup. The move is described as a "massive escalation" of their feud, with a legal document filed in a Florida court accusing Infantino of criminal mismanagement.
Danish adventurers Jonathan Jakobsen and Charlie Christensen are walking across Africa to raise awareness and funds for clean water projects in rural communities. They have walked more than 15,000 kilometres through more than 25 countries, with their journey recently bringing them to Namibia.
US Ambassador John Giordano, following a three-day field mission in Namibia, urged stronger law-enforcement focus on transnational criminal networks behind rhino poaching, arguing efforts must extend beyond arresting poachers to identifying traffickers, following money flows, and disrupting overseas markets.
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila warned that African countries' signing and ratifying continental agreements will mean little without concrete action to implement them, and that the African Continental Free Trade Area should not be viewed as a solution in itself but as an instrument whose success depends on member states' willingness to honour their obligations.
The Bank of Namibia and UNAM convened a public lecture featuring the governors of Namibia and Botswana to discuss translating natural resource endowments into sustainable prosperity through economic diversification, sovereign wealth management, and local value addition in sectors including oil, gas, and green hydrogen.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered a statement honouring the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth and his legacy of support for oppressed peoples and Africa's struggles, emphasizing Castro's role in shaping Namibia's history.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah commemorated Fidel Castro's centenary at State House, describing him as a "friend of Africa" whose internationalist commitment and support helped shape Namibia's liberation. She highlighted Cuba's crucial role in the 1988 Battle of Cuito Cuanavale and called the occasion "deeply personal" for Namibians.
An opinion piece argues that while Namibia's oil discoveries and green hydrogen investments have attracted global attention, the country must focus on building industries and competitive businesses rather than simply extracting and exporting resources. History shows that natural resources alone rarely transform economies; countries are remembered for what they build.
Standard Bank Namibia has launched its Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) capability, becoming the first bank in Namibia to give clients direct access to China's international payment system. The capability is expected to strengthen financial connectivity between Namibia and China by enabling faster, more efficient and cost-effective cross-border payments for businesses trading and investing between the two countries.
The Namibia National Olympic Committee has selected 12 athletes to represent the country at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, competing across seven sporting codes including athletics, beach volleyball, boxing, cycling, swimming, triathlon and beach wrestling.
Standard Bank Namibia has launched Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) capability, becoming the first bank in Namibia to offer direct access to China's payment infrastructure for RMB transactions, enabling faster and more cost-effective cross-border payments for businesses trading between the two countries.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare met with the first secretary of Cuba's Young Communist League and encouraged Cuban youth to visit Namibia for business, arts, cultural and educational exchanges. He praised Cuba's historical support for Namibia's liberation and urged both countries' youth to advance economic development.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for Namibia to move beyond raw material extraction and invest in domestic value addition and industrial expansion. At the Mining Expo and Conference, she emphasized that the nation's mineral wealth must drive local employment and prosperity, noting that macro-fiscal growth alone cannot remedy structural inequality.
At the inaugural Dr Hage Geingob Town Hall Conversation at the University of Namibia, speakers called on young Namibians to become custodians of late President Geingob's governance legacy by strengthening institutions, defending constitutional values, and demanding accountable leadership. The newly established Dr Hage Geingob Presidential Centre aims to preserve Geingob's ideas through research, documentation, and public dialogue.
Namibia's trade deficit widened sharply to N$5.5 billion in June as imports reached a record N$18.3 billion, outpacing exports of N$12.9 billion. The June deficit represents a deterioration from the N$3.2 billion trade gap in May 2026 and contrasts with the N$669 million trade surplus recorded in June 2025.
An analysis argues that while African nations invoke the slogan "A Luta Continua" ("The Struggle Continues") at celebrations and rallies, they often treat it as ceremonial rhetoric rather than as a philosophy for building prosperous, just, and self-reliant nations—the deeper meaning Samora Machel intended when he warned that defeating colonialism would be easier than creating lasting institutional and economic strength.
According to The Namibian, escalating conflict between the US and Iran has sent global energy prices soaring and disrupted maritime chokepoints critical to petroleum supply in southern Africa, causing measurable increases in fuel, food, and transport costs that are eroding household incomes across Namibia.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's development depends less on policy quality than on leadership capable of turning political stability and natural resources into measurable prosperity, and that weak leadership builds dependence on personalities rather than strong institutions.
At an inaugural town hall event at the University of Namibia, former Speaker Peter Katjavivi urged that the late President Hage Geingob's legacy be preserved through research, documentation, and stronger institutions rather than commemorative events alone, warning that important governance lessons risk being lost if not recorded.
An opinion piece launches the Heroes Dialogue series, arguing that 36 years after independence, Namibia must honestly assess whether its leadership is building the country citizens envisioned, moving beyond political slogans to confront difficult questions about direction and progress.
Bishop Zephania Kameeta called on Namibians to make the late President Hage Geingob's "One Namibia, One Nation" vision a daily reality rather than a political slogan, saying it should guide how citizens live and treat one another. Speaking at a Town Hall Conversation commemorating what would have been Geingob's 85th birthday, Kameeta said the principle originated in Namibia's liberation struggle and was meant to unite all Namibians regardless of political affiliation, but expressed concern that political divisions have increasingly overshadowed the message of national unity.
Former President Nangolo Mbumba has urged African leaders to follow the late President Hage Geingob's example by building democratic, developmental, and ethical governance systems. Mbumba made the remarks during an inaugural town hall conversation honouring Geingob's legacy and what would have been his 85th birthday.
Namibia has launched a public consultation on its Sectoral Transformation Investment Plan, inviting businesses, investors, researchers, communities and citizens to shape the country's position in the global green economy. The country has emerged over four years as a major destination for green hydrogen and renewable energy investment, with strong natural advantages including high solar irradiation and coastal wind resources.
Retired Public Service Commission commissioner Nashilongo Shivute told an African Union meeting in Windhoek that older people should be consulted when governments develop policies, plan communities and design services, and that their knowledge and experience should be incorporated into education and development programmes rather than treating them only as beneficiaries.
First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah has called for an inclusive approach to gender equality, arguing that empowering women and girls and addressing the well-being of boys are complementary rather than competing priorities. He cited global data showing that 132 million primary and secondary age boys are out of school worldwide and proposed renaming the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development to include male spouses.