Central body overseeing public procurement in Namibia, recently strengthened qualification procedures for bid evaluation committee members to promote integrity and transparency.
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May 2026
Windhoek Observer
Central Procurement Board of Namibiawill conductprocurement and remanufacturing of locomotives per Public Procurement Act
Source
“She said the procurement and remanufacturing of locomotives will be conducted through the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) in line with the Public Procurement Act.”
Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN)oversawthe procurement process for the N$40 million security tender
Source
“The tender, valued at N$40 million, was awarded in October 2025 following a procurement process overseen by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN).”
Central Procurement Board of Namibiadeclined to commenton the matter as it is sub judice
Source
“Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) spokesperson Johanna Kambala yesterday said: "Please note that this matter is sub judice and thus CPBN is not in a position to comment further."”
Central Procurement Board of Namibiahas introducedstrengthened procedures for Bid Evaluation Committee member appointments
Source
“THE Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has introduced strengthened procedures governing the appointment of Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) members, as part of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and strengthen transparency and accountability in public procurement.”
Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN)resolved to cancelthe restricted bidding process for six-month food procurement
Source
“In a letter dated 16 April, the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) informs all bidders that it has resolved to cancel the restricted bidding process for the six-month procurement of food on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture.”
Central Procurement Board of Namibiahas introducedrevised procedures for appointing bid evaluation committee members
Source
“The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has introduced revised procedures for appointing bid evaluation committee (BEC) members, aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in public procurement.”
Central Procurement Board of Namibiaconducted due diligence exercise thatbrought the matter to light before contract award
Source
“The matter reportedly came to light after a due diligence exercise conducted by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia prior to the awarding of a contract to the company.”
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN)saidNamra confirmed tax certificate was issued unprocedurally and was subsequently revoked
Source
“In that matter, Zong Mei challenged its disqualification after CPBN said Namra had confirmed that a good standing certificate submitted by one of the joint venture partners was issued "unprocedurally" and was subsequently revoked.”
A year after cancellation over single-sourcing concerns, TransNamib will restart the process to buy 23 new locomotives for N$1.7 billion following an independent technical evaluation of manufacturers. The procurement will proceed through the Central Procurement Board of Namibia using secured development finance.
Why it matters
TransNamib's relaunched N$1.7 billion locomotive tender represents a significant infrastructure procurement reset after earlier cancellation concerns.
A year after cancellation over single-sourcing concerns, TransNamib will restart the process to buy 23 new locomotives for N$1.7 billion following an independent technical evaluation of manufacturers. The procurement will proceed through the Central Procurement Board of Namibia using secured development finance.
PIS Security Services has filed a review application at the High Court challenging a N$40 million three-year security contract awarded to Novo Security Services CC in October 2025, alleging that eight active Namibian police officers were falsely presented as employees and managers of Novo in its bid.
Sara Katiti's Afripharm Investments is seeking to stop government contract negotiations on a N$1.3 billion tender for mental health, cancer, and chronic-disease medicines to state hospitals, arguing the tender expired in March 2025. The procurement has been mired in court disputes since April 2023, including a challenge over a N$1.3 billion award to a company owned by a five-year-old child.
The Ministry of Finance has rejected the Social Security Commission's request for a procurement exemption to fast-track a N$43.8-million fund management system project. Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said the SSC did not sufficiently justify why the entire Public Procurement Act should be set aside, and noted that the law already provides procurement options such as restricted bidding for specialized services.
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has introduced strengthened procedures for appointing Bid Evaluation Committee members, requiring applicants to possess accredited qualifications, valid certificates of conduct, compulsory training, and competency assessment. The enhanced process aims to promote integrity, transparency, and efficiency in public procurement.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has requested cancellation of a N$194-million tender to build new central medical stores in Windhoek, citing that the expected outcome did not justify costs. The cancellation follows allegations of political interference and concerns raised by the Global Fund over the redirection of its N$194-million donation originally earmarked for the project.
The government has cancelled a restricted bidding process for school hostel food procurement and extended costly interim emergency contracts for six months to avoid disruptions while a new tender is finalised. The extension follows legal procedures linked to the procurement process, though stakeholders raise concerns about transparency and the impact on vulnerable hostel pupils.
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has introduced new measures for appointing Bid Evaluation Committee members, including requirements for accredited qualifications, police clearance certificates, and mandatory training and competency assessments. The reforms aim to address longstanding concerns about transparency, capacity gaps, and delays in public procurement evaluations.
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has introduced stricter procedures for appointing bid evaluation committee members, requiring accredited qualifications, police certificates of conduct, compulsory training, and competency assessments to ensure integrity and transparency in public procurement.
The Institute for Public Policy Research has criticized the government's decision to bypass the Central Procurement Board on N$350 million in projects, arguing it creates risks of corruption and waste. The government has directly awarded contracts including a N$140-million sports stadium project to the Roads Contractor Company and other projects to August 26 without public tendering, a practice that lacks transparency and limits competition for local businesses.
Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services has abruptly suspended a tender process for building a N$194 million central medical store and is instead planning to lease and renovate part of the Ramatex Rhino Garments building at N$100,000 monthly, a pivot that the Global Fund (which approved the original construction plan) is reportedly discussing with the government.
Construction of a planned 500-bed state hospital in Windhoek's Havana settlement has not yet commenced, two years after a 2024 groundbreaking ceremony, despite being scheduled for 2027 completion. Residents and opposition parties question the project's progress, while the health ministry reports that preliminary infrastructure work including road and utility connections is underway.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a tax officer at the Namibia Revenue Agency over alleged irregular issuance of a Tax Good Standing Certificate to a company that had outstanding tax obligations. The officer was granted bail and the case has been postponed to April 2026, with another suspect still to be apprehended.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Namra tax officer Richard Oaseb for allegedly issuing a tax good standing certificate to Zong Mei Engineering without proper authority, enabling the company to bid on a N$237 million Namfisa head office tender despite outstanding tax returns and debt. The certificate was subsequently revoked and led to the company's disqualification from the procurement process.
A Tax Officer at Namibia's revenue agency, Namra, has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly approving a Tax Good Standing Certificate to a Chinese company that owed outstanding taxes. The fraud was uncovered during a due diligence exercise by the Central Procurement Board ahead of a contract award to the company.