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Friday, 23 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Central Procurement Board of Namibia

Also known as: CPBN

Namibian government body responsible for public procurement processes, criticized for handling of veterinary fence tenders and foot-and-mouth disease emergency contracts in 2026.

2023-01-282026-10-23
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  1. April 2026

  2. New Era

    Central Procurement Board of Namibia has moved to overhaul how bid evaluators are appointed

    Source

    “The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has moved to overhaul how bid evaluators are appointed.”

    CPBN tightens grip on procurement amidst transparency concerns

  3. The Namibian

    Central Procurement Board of Namibia has introduced revised 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.”

    Procurement board tightens appointment rules for bid evaluation committee
  4. March 2026

  5. The Namibian

    Central Procurement Board of Namibia confirms health ministry requested deferral of tender award

    Source

    “CPBN confirms that the health ministry requested them to postpone awarding the tender.”

    Government pivots on N$194m central medical store project
  6. February 2026

  7. Informanté

    Central Procurement Board of Namibia conducted due diligence exercise that brought 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.”

    Windhoek tax officer arrested for irregular certificate

  8. The Namibian

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) said Namra 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.”

    ACC arrest Namra official over Namfisa tender

  9. New Era

    Central Procurement Board of Namibia conducted a due diligence exercise that uncovered the matter

    Source

    “The matter was uncovered after a due diligence exercise conducted by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia prior to the award of a contract to the company.”

    Taxman jailed over fraudulent tax certification
  10. May 2025

  11. The Namibian

    Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) had its direct procurement of 23 Wabtec/General Electric locomotives cancelled

    Source

    “The board, in consultation with the ministry, has cancelled the direct procurement by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) of 23 new Wabtec/General Electric locomotives.”

    TransNamib seeks new locomotives after N$2.5-billion tender cancelled over geopolitics
  12. October 2024

  13. The Namibian

    Central Procurement Board of Namibia has distanced itself from the controversial ballot paper printing tender

    Source

    “The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has distanced itself from the controversial ballot paper printing tender the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has awarded a South African company.”

    Central procurement board distances itself from controversial N$6.2 million ballot printing tender amid political backlash
  14. February 2024

  15. The Namibian

    Central Procurement Board of Namibia chose as successful bidder Africure for supply of only two types of ARV medication

    Source

    “The CPBN chose Africure as successful bidder for the supply of only two of the types of medication at a total cost of about N$723 000.”

    Court challenge of ARVs tender decision fails

  16. The Namibian

    Central Procurement Board of Namibia disqualified from the bidding process the bid of Adaptive Building Land Construction CC and China State Construction Engineering Corporation

    Source

    “Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) spokesperson Johanna Kambala said in a statement yesterday that the bid of Adaptive Building Land Construction CC and China State Construction Engineering Corporation was disqualified from the bidding process for several reasons.”

    Chinese-Namibian venture loses battle over N$185m tender bid
Business

TransNamib locomotive purchase awaits lender approval process

The News

TransNamib's N$2.6 billion plan to acquire 15 new locomotives and remanufacture 17 existing units depends on approval from its lenders, the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Development Bank of Namibia. The procurement will be handled by the Central Procurement Board once lender approvals are secured, after a previous procurement process was cancelled by the Minister of Works and Transport in April 2025.

14 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 14 October

  1. TransNamib locomotive purchase awaits lender approval process

    TransNamib's N$2.6 billion plan to acquire 15 new locomotives and remanufacture 17 existing units depends on approval from its lenders, the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Development Bank of Namibia. The procurement will be handled by the Central Procurement Board once lender approvals are secured, after a previous procurement process was cancelled by the Minister of Works and Transport in April 2025.

    14 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 13 October

  1. TransNamib to refurbish seventeen locomotives locally

    TransNamib's revised locomotive procurement plan calls for the purchase of 15 new locomotives and the remanufacturing of 17 existing ones, a change the ministry of works and transport says supports Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan, skills transfer, and job creation. The remanufacturing must take place in Namibia, and both new and remanufactured locomotives will be acquired through the Central Procurement Board.

    13 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 12 October

  1. Judge reprimands CPBN over fence tender cancellation dispute

    The High Court reprimanded the Central Procurement Board of Namibia for failing to provide proper reasons for cancelling a veterinary cordon fence tender, dismissing an urgent application to stop construction. The ruling came as Namibia confirmed a new foot-and-mouth disease outbreak at Kalala Island in the Zambezi Region, with all 12 cattle samples tested positive on 7 October.

    12 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. High Court warns government urgency cannot bypass legal procedure

    The Windhoek Observer argues that while government is right to act decisively against a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Zambezi Region, a recent High Court judgment on a //Kharas Region veterinary fence project reminds state institutions that urgency does not suspend the rule of law—and criticizes the Central Procurement Board for failing to properly justify cancelling the original tender.

    12 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 11 October

  1. High Court approves emergency tender for FMD border fence

    Namibia's High Court has approved the government's emergency procurement process for a veterinary cordon fence on the southern border intended to protect against foot-and-mouth disease, while criticising the Central Procurement Board's handling of the original tender that was abruptly switched to a new contractor in September.

    11 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 October

  1. Court dismisses challenge to FMD fence contract award

    The High Court dismissed an urgent application by China Jiangxi International (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd JV Homefin Properties CC to stop implementation of an emergency contract for veterinary cordon fences along Namibia's border with South Africa. Although the court found Homefin had established grounds to challenge the cancellation of the original competitive bidding process, it ruled the balance of convenience did not favour granting the interdict, citing the successful bidder's mobilisation and the escalating threat of Foot-and-Mouth Disease spreading into Namibia.

    8 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 7 October

  1. Itula urges government to disclose FMD recovery plan and funding

    Opposition leader Panduleni Itula has called on the government to publish a fully costed recovery plan for the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak, including funding details, fencing milestones, and emergency contracts. The call follows a procurement dispute over a veterinary cordon fence along the South African border, with the estimated containment requirement at N$190.2 million.

    7 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 6 October

  1. IPPR warns amended procurement rules heighten corruption risks

    The Institute for Public Policy Research says procurement regulations gazetted in August increase thresholds for discretionary spending and allow high-value public entities like the National Petroleum Corporation to contract works projects worth up to N$500 million without Central Procurement Board oversight, raising risks of political pressure, patronage and collusion in an already non-transparent system.

    6 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 27 September

  1. FMD outbreak triggers panic buying for meat in Windhoek

    An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the ||Kharas region has prompted the government to suspend movement, slaughter, and export of cloven-hoofed animals and their products, triggering panic buying at butcheries across Windhoek and other parts of the country as residents rush to stockpile meat.

    27 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 25 September

  1. FMD suspension affects kapana vendors and customary cattle slaughter

    A nationwide suspension of livestock movement, trade and slaughtering following Foot-and-Mouth Disease detection in the //Kharas Region has left kapana vendors and families preparing customary events uncertain about cattle slaughter for lobola and funerals. Lawyers representing Affirmative Repositioning's Job Amupanda have demanded clarification from the acting agriculture minister on the scope and legal basis of the restrictions.

    25 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 17 September

  1. CPBN defends foot-and-mouth fence tender emergency procurement

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has been accused of using the threat of foot-and-mouth disease as justification for abandoning the competitive tender process and awarding a N$122.08 million veterinary cordon fence project to Punchu Trading CC through emergency procurement instead of the original awardee, Homefin; CPBN says the disease situation in South Africa was deteriorating faster than anticipated and required urgent action.

    17 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. Namibian competition watchdog and procurement board join forces

    The Namibian Competition Commission and Central Procurement Board have signed an agreement to prevent collusion and ensure competitive public bidding processes. The two institutions will establish a joint working committee and share information on competition violations and procurement complaints.

    16 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 15 September

  1. CPBN and Competition Commission sign memorandum to combat procurement collusion

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia and the Namibian Competition Commission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly address collusion, price-fixing, and anti-competitive conduct in public procurement. CPBN CEO Idi Itope said the partnership recognises that procurement integrity requires cooperation beyond procurement law alone.

    15 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 14 September

  1. Contract winner's staff visited site before emergency award

    A court application alleges that personnel from Punchu Trading CC JV China State Construction Engineering Co. Southern Africa were on the project site on 5 September, two days before the Central Procurement Board of Namibia formally awarded the N$122 million veterinary cordon fencing contract to the joint venture on 7 September. A failed bidder claims photographs show a CPBN board member accompanied the winning company's personnel to the site.

    14 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Emergency contract awardee visited site before formal award

    A failed bidder alleges in court papers that personnel from Punchu Trading CC JV China State Construction Engineering Co. Southern Africa were on the veterinary cordon fencing project site on 5 September, two days before the Central Procurement Board formally awarded the N$122 million contract to that joint venture on 7 September. The applicant further alleges that a CPBN board member accompanied the winning bidder's personnel to the site.

    14 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  3. Chinese-linked joint venture challenges border fence tender cancellation

    China Jiangxi International (Namibia) in joint venture with Homefin Properties CC, originally ranked first for a N$123 million veterinary cordon fence tender, has launched a High Court challenge against the Central Procurement Board's decision to cancel the tender and award it to a rival bidder, alleging irregular and potentially corrupt conduct.

    14 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Sunday 13 September

  1. CPBN cancels N$126 million veterinary fence tender after award

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia cancelled a competitive tender for a veterinary cordon fence to combat foot-and-mouth disease two weeks after awarding it, then hand-picked the second-place bidder a week later. The Namibian editorial warns that such abrupt cancellations undermine transparency, expose the state to costly litigation, and raise questions about accountability in government procurement.

    13 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Central Procurement Board's fence tender cancellation draws scrutiny

    Experts question the Central Procurement Board of Namibia's decision to cancel a competitive tender for a N$122-million veterinary cordon fencing project that attracted 23 bids, then award it via emergency procurement to a different contractor. A political analyst says the cancellation could expose the board to legal challenges and create the impression of bias toward a particular bidder.

    13 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 10 September

  1. Minister urges government institutions to communicate with one voice

    Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus has urged government institutions to communicate as a single state rather than separate ministries and agencies, emphasizing that citizens perceive the government as one entity and that government communication carries significant influence requiring authentic, verified and credible information.

    10 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 9 September

  1. CPBN awards N$123m fence tender to failed bidder after cancellation

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia cancelled a N$127 million tender for veterinary cordon fences along the South Africa border and awarded the contract via emergency procurement to a company that had failed in the competitive bidding process, raising concerns about transparency and procurement integrity.

    9 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. CPBN cancels N$123m veterinary cordon fence tender

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has formally cancelled a N$123 million veterinary cordon fence tender, weeks after an evaluation committee recommended it.

    9 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Sunday 6 September

  1. Supreme Court invalidates school hostel food tender

    The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the Central Procurement Board and Ministry of Education, upholding a High Court decision that set aside a multimillion-dollar tender for supplying food to government school hostels. The court found the procurement process unlawful because the board continued proceedings after the 180-day bid validity period had expired.

    6 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 4 September

  1. Supreme Court upholds High Court's cancellation of school food tender

    The Supreme Court upheld a High Court judgment canceling a multimillion-dollar school hostel food supply tender for government schools across Namibia's 14 regions after the Central Procurement Board and Ministry of Education appealed the decision. The tender was found to have irregularities, including the exclusion of a bidder for failing to provide an English translation of an Afrikaans-language supporting document.

    4 September 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 2 September

  1. President directed N$540m school food tender via alternative process

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah directed the education ministry to use alternative procurement for a N$540-million school hostel food tender, with the Namibia Training Authority as lead service provider and other public entities, sparking court action from companies questioning the non-public tendering process.

    2 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 30 August

  1. Central Procurement Board incorporates CSR criteria into bidding process

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has implemented Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) criteria in its procurement bidding process, requiring bidders to submit CSR proposals equivalent to not less than 0.1% of the contract amount. The first implementation saw West Trading JV Unik Construction Engineering Namibia donate blankets, school uniforms, and sanitary pads valued at N$64,886.51 to the Bethanie community.

    30 August 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 27 August

  1. Procurement board integrates CSR into contracts, delivers first investment

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has implemented a policy requiring bidders to include corporate social responsibility proposals worth at least 0.1% of contract value. The first community investment under this scheme saw West Trading JV Unik Construction Engineering donate blankets, school uniforms, and sanitary pads valued at N$64,886 to Bethanie residents and pupils, and the associated railway project has created 20 local jobs.

    27 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Government contractor delivers N$64,886 goods to Bethanie

    West Trading JV Unik Construction Engineering Namibia has handed over blankets, school uniforms, and sanitary pads valued at N$64,886.51 to vulnerable members of the Bethanie community as part of a new Central Procurement Board requirement that bidders on applicable contracts commit at least 0.1% of contract value to community empowerment and poverty alleviation initiatives.

    27 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Namibia's procurement reform seeks speed without sacrificing accountability

    Namibia's revised public procurement regulations, which came into operation on 4 August 2026, give over 80 public entities greater scope to undertake procurement independently, aiming to reduce administrative delays and improve service delivery. The success of the reform will depend on implementation rather than the regulations themselves, balancing efficiency with transparency and accountability.

    19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Namibia revises procurement thresholds, expands entity participation

    More than 80 public entities gain broader procurement authority under Namibia's revised regulations effective August 4, 2026, aimed at reducing administrative delays, decongesting central procurement, and expanding supplier opportunities. The changes raise procurement thresholds to reflect current economic conditions including inflation and currency depreciation.

    19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 14 August

  1. Flood-prone Muzii school to receive N$269m infrastructure upgrade

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has signed a N$268.7 million contract with Art Construction CC to transform Muzii Combined School in the Zambezi Region through embankment elevation and ground raising, aimed at protecting the school from recurring floods and improving learning conditions.

    14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Central Procurement Board of Namibia — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute