Bärbel Kirchner

Chief executive of the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia, warning that procurement models exclude local contractors.

2026-03-052026-09-06

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

September 2026
5 SeptThe Namibian
Construction Industries Federation (CIF) of Namibia chief executive Bärbel Kirchner says federation was waiting for agreement to be gazetted
Source
“Construction Industries Federation (CIF) of Namibia chief executive Bärbel Kirchner says the federation has been waiting for the agreement to be gazetted because it could only take effect once formally published.”
New construction wages set for two years
July 2026
13 JulThe Namibian
CIF chief executive Bärbel Kirchner says the conditions fail to address key concerns
Source
“However, CIF chief executive Bärbel Kirchner says the conditions fail to address key concerns, including cement price monitoring, fair market access, protection against discriminatory pricing, safeguards for SMEs, local procurement obligations, import competition, reporting requirements, implementation timelines and penalties for non-compliance.”
Construction federation challenges Ohorongo-Cheetah cement merger
April 2026
16 AprThe Namibian
CIF CEO Bärbel Kirchner said CIF Golf Classic is finding its place as event bringing industry together
Source
“"The CIF Golf Classic is steadily finding its place as an event that brings the industry together in a more informal but highly valuable setting," says CIF CEO Bärbel Kirchner.”
CIF Golf Classic coming up
15 AprNew Era
CIF CEO Bärbel Kirchner said the event is finding its place as one that brings the industry together
Source
“CIF CEO Bärbel Kirchner said the event is steadily finding its place as one that brings the industry together in a more informal yet highly valuable setting.”
CIF Golf Classic returns to calendar
10 AprNew Era
CIF chief executive officer Bärbel Kirchner stated disconnect exists between stated intention to support Namibian contractors and actual market conditions
Source
“"This creates a clear disconnect between the stated intention to support Namibian contractors and the actual conditions being created in the market," said CIF chief executive officer, Bärbel Kirchner.”
RCC model threatens local contractors – CIF
8 AprNew Era
CIF chief executive officer Bärbel Kirchner stated that technically capable Namibian contractors are excluded due to stringent financial requirements
Source
“"What we are seeing is that technically capable Namibian contractors are being excluded not because they cannot deliver, but because they cannot meet financial requirements that do not reflect local realities," she added.”
RCC’s model threatens local contractors – CIF
5 AprThe Namibian
CIF chief executive Bärbel Kirchner said RCC rules will prevent Namibian companies from competing
Source
“In a media release yesterday, CIF chief executive Bärbel Kirchner said the rules introduced in a recent RCC expression of interest will prevent Namibian companies from competing.”
Construction federation warns Govt on RCC tenders
5 AprThe Namibian
Kirchner said RCC approach may favour foreign-linked companies with lower-cost financing
Source
“"CIF is particularly concerned that this approach may favour foreign-linked companies with access to lower-cost or state-backed financing, thereby creating an uneven playing field for Namibian contractors," Kirchner said.”
Construction federation warns Govt on RCC tenders
1 AprThe Namibian
CIF chief executive Bärbel Kirchner said the rules introduced in RCC expression of interest will prevent Namibian companies from competing
Source
“In a media release on Wednesday, CIF chief executive Bärbel Kirchner said the rules introduced in a recent RCC expression of interest will prevent Namibian companies from competing.”
Construction federation cautions Govt against handpicking RCC tenders
1 AprThe Namibian
Kirchner expressed concern that this approach may favour foreign-linked companies with access to lower-cost financing
Source
“"CIF is particularly concerned that this approach may favour foreign-linked companies with access to lower-cost or state-backed financing, thereby creating an uneven playing field for Namibian contractors," Kirchner said.”
Construction federation cautions Govt against handpicking RCC tenders

Business

Namibian construction minimum wage rises to N$20.43 per hour

The News

New minimum wages and employment conditions for construction workers came into force on 1 September and will remain in place for two years. Labourers and general workers will earn a minimum of N$20.43 per hour in the first year, rising to N$21.45 per hour from 1 September 2027, with the agreement also requiring employers to provide protective equipment and setting productivity standards.

5 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Namibian construction minimum wage rises to N$20.43 per hour
New minimum wages and employment conditions for construction workers came into force on 1 September and will remain in place for two years. Labourers and general workers will earn a minimum of N$20.43 per hour in the first year, rising to N$21.45 per hour from 1 September 2027, with the agreement also requiring employers to provide protective equipment and setting productivity standards.
5 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 13 July

Construction federation opposes approved Ohorongo-Cheetah cement merger
The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia has called for the Ohorongo-Cheetah cement merger to be withdrawn following Industries, Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse's decision to overturn the Namibia Competition Commission's block on the transaction, warning it threatens competition, local contractors, and SMEs despite conditions aimed at preventing job losses and preserving production.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

CIF Golf Classic returns April 24 for construction sector
The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia's Golf Classic takes place on 24 April at Windhoek Golf Club, featuring a Two-Ball Alliance format with prizes valued at approximately N$163 000 for top teams. The event, presented by Hardrock Earthworks and supported by major sponsors, combines competitive golf with networking for industry leaders and business professionals.
16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 15 April

CIF Golf Classic returns April 2026 with industry sponsorship
The Construction Industries Federation's annual Golf Classic is scheduled for 24 April 2026 at Windhoek Golf Club, with Hardrock Earthworks as naming rights sponsor and support from other industry partners. The event aims to bring together contractors, suppliers and business leaders in a two-ball alliance format, with team registrations at N$10 000 and prizes valued at approximately N$163 000.
15 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 10 April

Construction federation warns RCC model excludes local contractors
The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) warns that the Roads Contractor Company's infrastructure procurement model risks sidelining domestic contractors through stringent financial thresholds that favour firms with stronger balance sheets and external funding access, effectively excluding technically capable Namibian firms from competing on equal terms.
10 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 8 April

CIF warns RCC infrastructure model excludes local contractors
The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia warns that the Roads Contractor Company's procurement model, with stringent financial thresholds and centralized project allocation, risks sidelining technically capable domestic contractors in favour of foreign-linked firms with stronger balance sheets. CIF chief executive Bärbel Kirchner argues the structure contradicts government commitments to boost Namibian participation and risks weakening local capacity and the construction sector's contribution to GDP.
8 April 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 5 April

Construction federation warns RCC tenders exclude local firms
The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia has warned that the Roads Contractor Company's tender requirements, particularly strict financial criteria, prevent qualified Namibian contractors from competing and may advantage foreign-linked companies with better access to financing.
5 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 April

Construction federation warns RCC tender rules exclude Namibian contractors
The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia has warned that the Roads Contractor Company's expression of interest rules exclude qualified Namibian contractors through strict financial requirements that favour foreign-linked companies with access to cheaper financing. The federation says this contradicts government's stated support for Namibian contractors and has requested a review of the contracting approach.
1 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 8 March

Editorial: Government tender exemptions sideline small businesses
The Construction Industries Federation warns that direct appointment of state-owned enterprises for public contracts—such as the N$140 million sports facilities project awarded to the Roads Construction Company—systematically excludes small and medium enterprises and emerging contractors from public work. The editorial argues that tender exemptions create pathways for corruption and cronyism, citing examples including the cancelled Lüderitz Bay port tender, and contends that this pattern of bypassing competitive processes suffocates legitimate private sector participation.
8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 March

Government hand-picks RCC for N$140m regional sport facilities project
The government has awarded Roads Contractor Company (RCC) a N$140-million project to build sport facilities across Namibia's 14 regions, bypassing standard public procurement rules under a presidential fast-track exemption. The decision has drawn criticism from industry groups and opposition politicians over transparency and accountability, though officials argue the project follows existing legal frameworks and incorporates oversight mechanisms.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →