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Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Cabinet

Also known as: Cabinet of the Republic of Namibia

Government decision-making body that approves policy changes, budgetary allocations, and legislative initiatives in Namibia.

2025-12-082026-07-23
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What’s been said

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

  1. January 2026

  2. Informanté

    Cabinet approved the 197,000 metric tonne horse mackerel TAC for 2026

    Source

    “This decision was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, which confirmed that it had been approved by Cabinet in line with the Marine Resources Act.”

    Ministry of Agriculture explains 5% reduction in horse mackerel TAC for 2026 fishing season

  3. New Era

    Cabinet approved horse mackerel TAC of 197,000 metric tonnes for 2026

    Source

    “the ministry said the horse mackerel TAC for the 2026 fishing season has been set at 197 000 metric tonnes as approved by Cabinet in accordance with the Marine Resources Act.”

    Ministry dismisses horse mackerel brouhaha
  4. December 2025

  5. The Namibian

    Cabinet held first retreat of the eighth administration on theme enhancing policy coordination, governance and service delivery

    Source

    “It is both an honour and a privilege to deliver this closing statement as we come to the end of the first Cabinet retreat of the eight administration under the theme 'Enhancing policy coordination, governance and service delivery for accelerated national development'.”

    Closing Statement by Vice President Lucia Witbooi at the First Cabinet Retreat
Mining & Energy

Venaani backs Nuclear Bill to grow uranium-driven economy

The News

PDM president McHenry Venaani has endorsed the draft Nuclear Bill, arguing that Namibia should use its uranium resources to drive economic growth and value addition rather than export raw minerals. The government has concluded nationwide public consultations on the proposed legislation, which seeks to modernise the nuclear regulatory framework and establish three specialised institutions to oversee the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

20 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 20 July

  1. Venaani backs Nuclear Bill to grow uranium-driven economy

    PDM president McHenry Venaani has endorsed the draft Nuclear Bill, arguing that Namibia should use its uranium resources to drive economic growth and value addition rather than export raw minerals. The government has concluded nationwide public consultations on the proposed legislation, which seeks to modernise the nuclear regulatory framework and establish three specialised institutions to oversee the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

    20 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 6 July

  1. State lawyers accused of mishandling medical claims, losing millions

    Government lawyers are accused of mishandling health-related legal cases and potentially sharing settlement payouts with senior ministry officials and claimants' lawyers. Between 2019 and 2024, the health ministry spent N$14.7m on medical claims, with about N$5.5m spent over the past year, amid delays in a nationwide medico-legal training programme.

    6 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 18 June

  1. Minister denies microchip implants in electronic IDs

    Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu clarified in Parliament that Namibia's electronic identification documents, to roll out from September 2026, do not involve microchip implantation into citizens' bodies. The secure digital ID card will store biometric and demographic information including fingerprints and photographs to enable identity verification in physical and digital environments.

    18 June 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Government allocates N$34m for nationwide sanitation rollout

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare announced that the government has allocated N$34 million from the disaster management budget for sanitation interventions and plans to fast-track implementation across all 121 constituencies. About 40% of Namibian households lack access to basic toilet facilities according to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, with open defecation still practiced in many areas.

    9 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 27 May

  1. Petroleum Amendment Bill raises questions about governance and presidential power

    An opinion article argues that Namibia should not rush to formalize a more centralized petroleum governance structure that would shift authority to the Office of the President and the Upstream Petroleum Unit before parliament and the public fully consider the constitutional and accountability consequences.

    27 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 18 May

  1. SSC CEO recruitment suspended over salary concerns

    The search for a new Social Security Commission chief executive has been halted after Cabinet raised concerns about what it views as inflated executive salaries relative to member benefits.

    18 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Cabinet cuts Monica Geingos' post-office benefits and allocations

    The Cabinet has reduced the benefits of former first lady Monica Geingos, limiting her to three household staff members and two state-sponsored vehicles effective 1 June, down from her current seven employees. The new policy applies to former first ladies whose husbands die before them, but does not affect founding first lady Kovambo Nujoma.

    12 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 11 May

  1. Illegal pilchard bycatch surges despite fishing moratorium

    Pilchard bycatch has risen sharply from 608 tonnes in 2020 to more than 11,000 tonnes in both 2024 and 2025, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform warning that increasing bycatch could threaten marine biodiversity and fish stocks if not properly managed.

    11 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Ministry clarifies trawling restrictions for horse mackerel sector

    The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has clarified that a temporary relaxation of trawling restrictions for wet-landed horse mackerel applies only between latitudes 22° South and 24° South, allowing trawling in waters shallower than 200 meters down to 150 meters from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. The ministry said exclusive offshore areas for the subsector south of latitude 22° South have not yet been finalised and will be identified after consultations with the fishing industry.

    6 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 4 May

  1. Cabinet eases trawling limits for horse mackerel subsector

    Namibia's Cabinet has approved a temporary 12-month change allowing wet-landed horse mackerel trawling within shallower waters (down to 150 metres depth) between latitudes 22°S and 24°S, effective May 2026. The Ministry of Fisheries will identify exclusive fishing zones for the subsector after consulting the industry and stakeholders.

    4 May 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 3 May

  1. Government limits trawling relaxation to narrow geographic zone

    The Ministry of Fisheries has restricted a temporary relaxation of trawling in waters shallower than the 200-metre isobath to a defined zone between latitudes 22°S and 24°S, applying only to the wet-landed horse mackerel subsector. The clarification was issued to address confusion about how Cabinet's decision would be applied, with further zone specifications and consultations to follow.

    3 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Namibia and Angola formalize N$4 billion power interconnection deal

    Namibia and Angola have signed binding agreements to jointly develop a cross-border power interconnector (ANNA), featuring a 166-kilometre transmission line linking the Kunene region to Cahama and a further 270-kilometre line between Omatando and Otjikoto. The project, estimated at N$941 million for the interconnector component and set for completion by 2029, aims to enhance regional energy security, diversify Namibia's electricity supply, and enable Angola to leverage its renewable and hydro resources across the Southern African region.

    16 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 10 April

  1. Cabinet directs intensified GBV and crime prevention campaigns nationwide

    The Cabinet has instructed the ministries of gender equality and home affairs to urgently intensify nationwide awareness campaigns addressing a "disturbing rise" in murders, which are allegedly linked to insurance schemes, land disputes, and religious beliefs. The government also plans to provide mental health support to inmates and scale up nation-building campaigns to promote social cohesion.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Civil servants' 5% salary rise eroded by rising costs

    A 5% salary increment for Namibian civil servants has failed to improve their financial situation as rising commodity and fuel prices, increased medical aid contributions, and reduced remoteness allowances have eliminated the real value of the increase. Teachers in remote northern regions face particular hardship despite delivering essential services.

    8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 27 March

  1. Petrol price rises N$2.50, diesel N$4.00 from April 1

    The Minister of Mines and Energy announced fuel price increases effective April 1, 2026, citing sharp rises in international crude oil prices driven by Middle East geopolitical tensions and the weakening Namibian dollar. The Cabinet has temporarily reduced fuel levies by 50% for three months to April–June 2026, with the National Energy Fund absorbing an under-recovery of approximately N$500 million.

    27 March 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. Government prioritises local manufacturers in procurement overhaul

    The Ministry of Works and Transport has launched the Government Stores Local Manufacturers Registration Initiative to expand Namibia's manufacturing capacity by requiring government offices, ministries, state-owned enterprises and local authorities to prioritise locally produced goods in procurement. The initiative involves registering manufacturers on an eligibility list for preferential procurement through restrictive bidding, with site inspections to verify operational capacity, though items that cannot be produced domestically will remain open to standard national bidding.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Government reemploys 222 Walu Fishing workers through redress scheme

    The government is facilitating the re-employment of 222 former Walu Fishing workers through a redress programme involving four companies following a labour dispute. Walu Fishing lost its 2026 fishing quota after disputes with workers and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 February

  1. Namibia pursues nuclear power to boost energy security

    As the world's third-largest uranium producer, Namibia is advancing plans for its first nuclear power plant to reduce reliance on imported electricity and support its Vision 2030 development goals, backed by international partnerships with Russia and China. The project faces significant capital costs and requires imported technical expertise, but recent cabinet approval of Namibia's Nuclear Industry Strategy signals sustained government commitment.

    12 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 11 February

  1. Namibia submits Dâures/Brandberg for UNESCO world heritage status

    Namibia has officially submitted a nomination dossier for the Dâures/Brandberg national monument area to be added to UNESCO's world heritage list, with the committee's decision expected by July 2027. The site, located in the Erongo region, is an ecological 'sky island' with over 900 rock art sites spanning 5,000 years of cultural history and featuring endemic species found nowhere else on earth.

    11 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 9 February

  1. Namibia visa-on-arrival generates N$413m in under year

    Namibia's visa-on-arrival system, launched on 3 March 2025, generated N$413.4 million in revenue by 31 January, with 289,510 visas issued. The Department of Immigration Control and Citizenship also issued 51,285 travel documents during the period, reflecting improved service delivery and administrative efficiency.

    9 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 8 February

  1. Namibia's visa-on-arrival scheme generates N$413 million

    Namibia's visa-on-arrival system, launched on 3 March 2025, generated N$413 million in revenue and issued 289,510 visas by 31 January. The government is advancing digital transformation in immigration services, including planned electronic and digital ID launches in the 2026/27 financial year, while implementing further visa reforms by 1 April.

    8 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 February

  1. Namibian legal year opens with focus on reform and safety

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah opened Namibia's legal year at the Supreme Court today, marking the start of a year the justice ministry hopes will bring meaningful reform, improved efficiency, and strengthened public confidence. The judiciary has established a Safety and Security Task Force to address concerns following recent attacks on prosecutors, while legal professionals advocate for plea bargaining reforms and amendments to obsolete laws.

    5 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. Parliament advances budget, land reform, and governance bills

    Parliament's second session approved the Appropriation Bill and advanced key legislative reforms including the Land Bill, Mental Health Bill, and public enterprise governance amendments, according to National Assembly Speaker Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. The Speaker said the session strengthened parliamentary oversight, public participation and democratic debate while addressing pressing national challenges such as health care, land reform, unemployment and economic growth.

    5 February 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 3 February

  1. President warns Cabinet of volatile global order, calls for principled stance

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah told Cabinet that Namibia faces increasing global uncertainty marked by shifting alliances, conflicts and selective enforcement of international norms, urging the administration to remain principled and united in upholding sovereignty, equality among nations and peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue and respect for international law.

    3 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 20 January

  1. Government reserves 35% of 2026 horse mackerel quota

    The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has set aside nearly 70 000 tonnes of the 197 000 tonne horse mackerel total-allowable catch for governmental objectives including food security, health, housing, youth development and employment programmes. The 2026 TAC was reduced by 5% from 2025 levels as a precautionary measure based on recent stock decline, though biomass remains within sustainable limits.

    20 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 16 January

  1. Ministry sets horse mackerel TAC at 197,000 tonnes for 2026

    The Ministry of Agriculture has reduced the Total Allowable Catch for horse mackerel to 197,000 metric tonnes in 2026, a 5% decrease from 2025, citing science-based management and the stock's long-term health. The Ministry also confirmed that overfishing companies were penalised and that quota allocations have been aligned with companies' actual investments in freezer or wet fish facilities.

    16 January 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 15 January

  1. Ministry defends science-based horse mackerel quota cut

    Namibia's fisheries ministry has defended the 2026 horse mackerel Total Allowable Catch of 197,000 metric tonnes—a 5% reduction from 2025—as a science-based and consultative decision aimed at ensuring long-term stock sustainability. The ministry dismissed claims of secretive cuts, stating the process followed statutory requirements and industry consultation, with quota allocations aligned to investors' operational choices.

    15 January 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 10 January

  1. Education ministry denies Grade 9 learners can earn PhDs via TVET

    Namibia's education ministry dismissed claims that Grade 9 learners can progress through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training system to obtain doctoral degrees, describing the assertion as misleading. The ministry clarified that Cabinet has not approved any pathway allowing direct progression from Grade 9 to university-level qualifications, and that current entry to TVET requires NSSCO (Grade 11) or Grade 12 qualifications.

    10 January 2026 · Informanté →

Cabinet — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute