Also known as: economist Almandro Jansen
Economist who has commented on Namibia's government debt, financing challenges, and economic transformation potential.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Windhoek Observer
Almandro Jansen said the sector's momentum remains divergent with plan volumes above prior-year levels
“"The sector's underlying momentum remains divergent: plan volumes are running above prior-year levels, while cumulative approval values in Windhoek are materially below the distorted 2025 base that included a single N$1 billion project in March," said Almandro Jansen of Simonis Storm.”
Building sector improves in the first half of 2026Windhoek Observer
Simonis Storm economist Almandro Jansen said Q1 2026 GDP print of 2% represents stabilisation rather than acceleration
“"The Q1 2026 GDP print of 2% is a stabilisation rather than an acceleration," Jansen said, adding that the composition of growth points to an uneven recovery rather than broad based economic momentum.”
Mining weakness remains key risk as GDP growth stabilisesWindhoek Observer
Almandro Jansen identified mining as the dominant downside risk
“He identified mining as the dominant downside risk, noting that the sector contracted by 12.2% during the quarter.”
Mining weakness remains key risk as GDP growth stabilisesThe Namibian
Almandro Jansen stated that fiscal-driven monetary expansion has historically preceded inflation pressures in small open economies
“"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.”
Govt debt to local banks climbs to N$52.4 billionThe Namibian
Almandro Jansen attributed April inflation spike primarily to transport component rather than fiscal-monetary transmission
“"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."”
Govt debt to local banks climbs to N$52.4 billionWindhoek Observer
Almandro Jansen stated rising inflation is the dominant macroeconomic risk
“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.”
Inflation surge reshapes monetary outlookInformanté
Almandro Jansen warned that Namibia's debt is increasingly a cash-flow and refinancing challenge
“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.”
Namibia’s growing debt burden increasingly becoming cash-flow challenge — economistInformanté
Almandro Jansen described the credit shift as a significant 'rotation' within the credit cycle
“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.”
Namibia credit growth slows, but household lending gains momentumInformanté
Almandro Jansen warned that global developments and rising oil prices could push inflation to 4-5% by mid-2026
“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.”
Namibia credit growth slows, but household lending gains momentumInformanté
Almandro Jansen argues that disciplined governance and institutional reform will determine Namibia's development path
“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.”
Singapore model holds lessons for Namibia’s growth pathNamibia's international reserves increased by 0.7% to N$58.5 billion at the end of August, driven by net commercial bank transfers, strong Customer Foreign Currency placements, and positive asset swap valuations, with the position providing an estimated 3.6 months of import cover.
2 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's international reserves increased by 0.7% to N$58.5 billion at the end of August, driven by net commercial bank transfers, strong Customer Foreign Currency placements, and positive asset swap valuations, with the position providing an estimated 3.6 months of import cover.
2 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's hospitality sector achieved nearly 70% occupancy in August, driven by European safari tourists and domestic weddings, surpassing the August 2025 level of 69.05% and approaching the August 2019 pre-pandemic benchmark of 67.18%. Northern Namibia recorded the strongest occupancy at 76.28%.
23 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's annual inflation rate reached 5% in August, the highest since February 2024, driven largely by transport costs including a 17.1% rise in vehicle operating costs and 25.1% higher fuel prices. A Financial Inclusion Survey revealed that 546,000 working Namibians have no disposable income and rely on debt for basic needs, with 51.3% borrowing for food.
20 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's headline inflation reached 5.0% in August, the highest in two and a half years, driven primarily by transport inflation accelerating to 13.2% after the Government reinstated fuel levies. Simonis Storm has raised its full-year inflation forecast to between 4.3% and 4.6%, citing continued pressure from rising fuel prices and international oil pressures.
17 September 2026 · Informanté →
A strengthening El Niño overlapping with Namibia's 2026/27 planting season could significantly raise food inflation, with Simonis Storm warning that weaker agricultural conditions in Namibia and South Africa could push food inflation up by 5–10 percentage points into 2027. The World Meteorological Organization has assigned near-100% probability that El Niño will persist through February 2027.
15 September 2026 · Informanté →
A housing affordability report shows the average house price reached N$1.46 million in the second quarter of 2026, requiring a monthly income of about N$43,765 to secure financing. Housing expert Namene Kalili attributes the shortage to insufficient housing construction—Namibia needs to service around 5,000 plots annually but falls far short—compounded by building supply industry constraints.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
At the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse reassured investors that policy uncertainty will not derail Namibia's most advanced offshore oil projects, citing institutional, policy, and fiscal certainty. The move of upstream petroleum control from the energy ministry to the Office of the Presidency is a deliberate realignment to protect the sector, Amutse said, while a new local content policy approved this month provides investors with clear expectations.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia is advancing rail infrastructure development, including the operational Walvis Bay-Karibib freight corridor launched in July 2026 targeting 25,000 tonnes monthly, and the proposed Trans-Kalahari Railway linking Walvis Bay to Windhoek, Gaborone and Johannesburg, to compete for Southern African freight volumes and secure Port of Walvis Bay traffic amid regional competition.
11 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibians report that expenses are rising faster than wages, forcing many to rely on side hustles and cash loans to survive. The squeeze is intensifying as electricity and municipal tariffs increase while workers' salaries remain stagnant.
27 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Road users in Windhoek report spending hours on the road during peak periods, with journey times significantly longer than before. An Elisenheim resident cited a morning trip that now takes 45 minutes to over an hour, compared to 30 minutes previously, and identified a bottleneck near the B1 and Namibia Breweries turnoff where traffic lights have not been functioning.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's building sector improved in the first half of 2026, with June delivering broad-based gains in approval volumes and values despite elevated borrowing costs and household affordability constraints. In Windhoek, June approvals rose 24.7% year-on-year to 197 plans, with the value of approved plans surging 50.7% year-on-year to N$197.8 million.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Wealth Management Solutions, a Windhoek financial advisory firm, has lost at least N$250 million belonging to pensioners and families through risky foreign investments; the owner allegedly paid out clients from other people's accounts to hide losses, and a liquidator estimates total losses could reach N$350 million.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's economy showed 2% year-on-year GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026, stabilizing after near-stagnation in late 2025, but persistent weakness in mining—particularly a 12.2% contraction in the sector, with diamond production down 18.6% and base metals down 31.2%—remains a key downside risk for 2026 growth prospects, according to Simonis Storm Securities.
29 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
3 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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.
15 May 2026 · Informanté →
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.
7 May 2026 · Informanté →
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.
3 May 2026 · Informanté →
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.
21 April 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
4 March 2026 · Informanté →
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.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
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.
13 January 2026 · New Era →
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.
7 January 2026 · The Namibian →