Bärbel Kirchner

Chief executive of the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia, voicing sector concerns on contractor access and procurement.

2026-03-052026-10-21

News reports

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What’s been said

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April 2026
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
March 2026
8 MarThe Namibian
Bärbel Kirchner made remarks about how direct appointments may limit access to public work for small and medium enterprises
Source
“"If projects are allocated through direct appointments, it may limit direct access to public work for small and medium enterprises and emerging contractors who rely on open tenders to grow and build capacity," she said.”
Editorial: Gaming The Tender System

Business

High Court reverses cement merger decision; CIF backs ruling

The News

The Construction Industries Federation supports a High Court decision that reversed industries minister Modestus Amutse's approval of a merger between Namibia's two cement companies, arguing that cement is too important to the construction and infrastructure sectors to be treated as a purely commercial transaction. The court found that Amutse had not considered objections against the proposed acquisition of Ohorongo Cement by Whale Rock Cement.

8 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 October

High Court reverses cement merger decision; CIF backs ruling
The Construction Industries Federation supports a High Court decision that reversed industries minister Modestus Amutse's approval of a merger between Namibia's two cement companies, arguing that cement is too important to the construction and infrastructure sectors to be treated as a purely commercial transaction. The court found that Amutse had not considered objections against the proposed acquisition of Ohorongo Cement by Whale Rock Cement.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 7 October

Government freezes diesel prices; industry remains under pressure
Industries minister Modestus Amutse announced that diesel prices would be held steady at N$27.86 and N$27.96 per litre for October to support industrial production, but analysts say the freeze offers limited relief to transport operators already struggling with costs N$8 per litre higher than at the start of the year.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 13 September

Construction sector urges delay to Windhoek heavy-vehicle permit system
The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia has called on the City of Windhoek to delay enforcement of its new heavy-vehicle permit system, which came into effect on 1 September. The federation argues that permit fees—a non-refundable N$600 application fee plus up to N$500 monthly per vehicle—could increase construction costs, as vehicles weighing nine tonnes or more need permits to travel outside designated heavy-vehicle routes, but construction vehicles must access building sites throughout the city.
13 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 5 September

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 →