Economist who analyzes Namibia's debt, credit, and fiscal challenges, including government borrowing, cash-flow pressures, and long-term economic transformation prospects.
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June 2026
The Namibian
Almandro Jansenstated that fiscal-driven monetary expansionhas historically preceded inflation pressures in small open economies
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“"We reiterate our observation from the March publication that fiscal-driven monetary expansion of this magnitude has historically preceded inflation pressures in small open economies with fixed exchange rate arrangements," Jansen says.”
Almandro Jansenattributed April inflation spike primarily totransport component rather than fiscal-monetary transmission
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“"The fact that Namibian inflation has now accelerated to 3.1% from 2.1% in a single month suggests that this risk is beginning to materialise, although we attribute the April inflation spike primarily to the transport component rather than to fiscal-monetary transmission."”
Almandro Jansenstatedrising inflation is the dominant macroeconomic risk
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“Namibia's private sector credit extension (PSCE) data for April points to a mid-expansion phase in the credit cycle, with broad-based improvements in lending activity but rising inflation now emerging as the dominant macroeconomic risk, according to Almandro Jansen of Simonis Storm.”
Almandro Jansenwarned thatNamibia's debt is increasingly a cash-flow and refinancing challenge
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“SIMONIS Storm Securities economist Almandro Jansen has warned that Namibia's debt situation is increasingly becoming a cash-flow and refinancing challenge rather than a traditional debt crisis, as government relies heavily on continuous borrowing from the domestic market to sustain fiscal operations.”
Almandro Jansendescribedthe credit shift as a significant 'rotation' within the credit cycle
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“Jansen added that while the headline figure suggests moderation, it masks what he describes as a significant "rotation" within the credit cycle, driven by different economic forces with varying implications for growth.”
Almandro Jansenwarned thatglobal developments and rising oil prices could push inflation to 4-5% by mid-2026
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“Jansen warned that global developments, particularly rising oil prices linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, could push inflation higher in the coming months, potentially reaching between 4% and 5% by the second half of 2026.”
Almandro Jansenargues thatdisciplined governance and institutional reform will determine Namibia's development path
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“Almandro Jansen, who argues that disciplined governance and institutional reform will determine whether the country follows a development path similar to Singapore or falls into the pitfalls of resource dependence.”
Almandro Jansensaidimportant to see positives of investments and encourage oil majors to invest in Namibia
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“Simonis Storm economist Almandro Jansen said it was important to also see the positives of investments and encourage oil majors to invest in Namibia.”
Four members of the National Youth Council board, including interim executive chairperson Patience Masua, have left office after their initial terms concluded on 30 June. Four other board members remain, while the council's leadership transition remains uncertain following the postponement of a general assembly in Swakopmund.
Four members of the National Youth Council board, including interim executive chairperson Patience Masua, have left office after their initial terms concluded on 30 June. Four other board members remain, while the council's leadership transition remains uncertain following the postponement of a general assembly in Swakopmund.
The Namibian government's debt to local banks climbed to N$52.4 billion in April after a N$20.4 billion increase over the past year, with borrowing from the banking sector surging 63.6% and raising concerns about future inflationary pressures, according to economist Almandro Jansen.
Headline inflation jumped to 3.1% in April from 2.1% in March, primarily driven by transport costs reflecting currency depreciation and higher global fuel prices. With the repo rate held at 6.50%, real interest rates have fallen, supporting credit demand but eroding household purchasing power.
Economist Almandro Jansen warns that Namibia's debt situation is becoming a cash-flow and refinancing challenge as government relies on continuous domestic borrowing, with a total financing requirement of approximately N$29.22 billion (10.2% of GDP) for 2026/27, though the country remains capable of funding itself.
Namibia's private sector credit growth eased to 4.3% in March 2026 from 4.7% in February, with total credit at N$123.3 billion. Household borrowing gained momentum to 4.1% year-on-year—its highest in the current cycle—driven by stronger mortgage lending, instalment credit, and overdrafts, while corporate lending showed seasonal fluctuations.
Economist Almandro Jansen argues that Namibia's emerging oil, gas and mineral wealth could drive long-term economic transformation or deepen structural challenges depending on governance and institutional reform. Singapore transformed from a low-income economy (US$500 GDP per capita in 1965) into a high-income hub (exceeding US$100,000 by 2025), while Namibia has reached upper-middle-income status with roughly US$5,000 GNI per capita but remains constrained by high unemployment, limited diversification, and rising fiscal pressures.
Namibia sold 1,069 Japanese vehicles in March, making Japan the country's largest vehicle source and driving total March sales to 1,662 units—a 43% monthly increase and the strongest March performance since 2015. Japanese brands accounted for 64.3% of total sales, with commercial vehicle purchases surging 57.1% to a record 916 units, supported by demand from logistics, mining, agriculture, and energy sectors.
The Institute for Public Policy Research warns that Namibia faces governance risks as it prepares for oil production, citing lack of transparency in petroleum licensing, insufficient beneficial ownership disclosure, and weak local content oversight as key areas needing reform before the expected investment decisions from TotalEnergies and Mopane projects. Addressing these challenges through the Access to Information Act and digital transparency could help Namibia avoid the "resource curse" while ensuring oil revenues benefit communities rather than political elites.
An economist from Simonis Storm Securities says Namibia's 2026/27 budget represents a stabilisation framework under financial constraint, with GDP growth revised to 3.1% and projected to recover only modestly. The budget reveals structural vulnerabilities: revenue remains heavily exposed to SACU volatility and commodity cycles, public debt is projected to stabilise at an elevated 67.5% of GDP, and interest payments will consume nearly 18% of total revenue, crowding out fiscal space for other priorities.
Namibia's FY2026/27 budget allocates N$81.3 billion to operational spending but cuts capital expenditure to N$8.47 billion, prompting analysts to warn that low investment in infrastructure risks slower economic growth while debt servicing consumes 18% of projected revenue.
Namibia's headline inflation fell to 3.2% in December 2025 and averaged 3.5% for the year, remaining within the central bank's target range. According to financial services firm Simonis Storm, inflation is expected to tick slightly higher in 2026, averaging 3.6%–3.8%, driven mainly by structural and service-related factors rather than broad-based demand, with housing and utilities remaining the primary pressure points.
Namibia's household credit growth slowed to 2.5% year-on-year in November 2025, with weak mortgage demand and continued borrowing caution driven by high living costs and modest wage growth. Households are shifting towards essential and asset-backed borrowing, particularly vehicle financing, while mortgage lending stagnated at 0% growth due to affordability constraints and limited affordable housing stock.