Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
August 2026
Windhoek Observer
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeitis involved inGIZ-City of Windhoek project area mapping and recording
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“These include Tlabanelo G, F and B; Hadino Hishongwa B and C; Farm 1007; sections of Brendan Simbwaye C, G, H, N and O; as well as the GIZ-City of Windhoek project area.”
GIZwas commended forsupporting the formulation of the strategy.
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“He also commended the United Nations, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, GIZ and other development partners for supporting the formulation of the strategy.”
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)implementsthe Pro-SME Project, a joint initiative between Namibian and German governments
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“The funding forms part of the Pro-SME Project, a joint initiative between the Namibian and German governments implemented through the National Planning Commission, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).”
German development agency GIZwas highlighted askey supporter of the ecosystem
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“Institutions highlighted as key supporters of the ecosystem included the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture and the Namibia office of German development agency GIZ.”
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)facilitatedthe H2Uppp funding initiative
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“The workshop also builds on a Letter of Intent signed between Hyphen and AHK Southern Africa and supports the implementation of Hyphen's ESD Programme currently being developed under the H2Uppp funding initiative facilitated by GIZ.”
GIZis partnering withthe Namibian Government to advance cooperation strengthening the TVET sector
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“She made these remarks during the ProTVET IV Operational Planning Workshop in Windhoek, where she highlighted that the Namibian Government, in partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany through GIZ, is advancing a renewed phase of cooperation to strengthen the TVET sector.”
GIZimplementedSADC-German cooperation project Strengthening National-Regional Linkages in SADC
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“We are especially grateful to the government of the Federal Republic of Germany for the financial support towards the development of this strategy through the SADC-German cooperation project, Strengthening National-Regional Linkages in SADC, implemented by GIZ.”
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)implementedSADC-German cooperation project Strengthening National-Regional Linkages in SADC
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“In the same spirit, I extend our deep thanks to the government of the Federal Republic of Germany for its financial support through the SADC-German cooperation project, Strengthening National-Regional Linkages in SADC, implemented by GIZ.”
A seven-day Namibia-Germany Enterprise and Supplier Development Mission connected 16 Namibian businesses, TVET institutions, and industry bodies with more than 50 German companies and organisations, resulting in one memorandum of understanding being finalised and four additional programmes under consideration across renewable energy, technical training, and industrial skills.
A seven-day Namibia-Germany Enterprise and Supplier Development Mission connected 16 Namibian businesses, TVET institutions, and industry bodies with more than 50 German companies and organisations, resulting in one memorandum of understanding being finalised and four additional programmes under consideration across renewable energy, technical training, and industrial skills.
The City of Windhoek is upgrading 10 informal settlements in Samora Machel into formal townships, with four areas on Farms 1008 and 1007 at Goreangab Dam already approved. Environmental Impact Assessments for all 10 areas have been completed, and on Farm 1008, 348 households have been rearranged according to the proposed layout, with land allocated for schools, a health facility, and a police station.
Mariental has launched a Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2030), becoming the second municipality in Namibia after Windhoek to adopt such a dedicated strategy. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare described the southern town as a national leader in disaster preparedness and urged authorities across the country to support household preparedness, particularly in fire-prone areas.
The 4th Southern Africa Regional Science Association Conference in Windhoek brought together delegates from across the SADC to discuss inclusive and sustainable regional development. Leaders called for stronger collaboration between researchers and policymakers to address southern Africa's urban, economic and environmental challenges.
An N$18 million grant fund from the Pro-SME Project, a joint Namibian-German initiative, is available to young entrepreneurs and small businesses to help them formalise, expand and create jobs, with the first application round closing on 24 July.
Trainees at the Valombola Vocational Training Centre manufactured 700 pieces of school furniture valued at N$297,696—comprising 300 chairs and 400 desks—which were handed over to schools in the Khomas Region. The donation was funded through pledges made at a National Fish Consumption Day Gala Dinner and facilitated by the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust.
The SADC renewed the board of directors of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre in Maputo, retaining Namibia's Stanley Ndara as chairperson for a second term. The board's priorities include strengthening the centre's sustainability, reducing donor reliance, and rolling out a Regional Register of Fishing Vessels.
Stanley Ndara, chief executive of Namibia's Fisheries Observer Agency, has been reappointed as chairperson of the SADC Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre for a second term. SADC ministers responsible for fisheries made the decision at a meeting in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on 29 May.
Namibia has dropped nine places to 94th globally and slipped from 8th to 10th in Africa in the StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, with annual ecosystem growth of 8.2% falling below the global average. The country retained its position as southern Africa's second-ranked startup ecosystem behind South Africa, and Windhoek remains its only city ranked in the world's top 1,000 startup ecosystems.
Fisheries, environment and oceans ministers from Angola, Namibia and South Africa approved a five-year Strategic Action Plan for 2023–2028 to strengthen sustainable management of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, with key commitments including regional cooperation, scientific research, data sharing and combating illegal fishing.
The Benguela Current Convention approved a new strategic action plan at its ministerial conference in Luanda, aimed at strengthening marine protection, combating illegal fishing, and promoting sustainable blue economy across Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Namibia handed the BCC chairpersonship to Angola during the meeting.
HYPHEN Hydrogen Energy, in partnership with AHK Southern Africa and GIZ, held an Enterprise and Supplier Development workshop in Windhoek to strengthen Namibian business participation in the emerging green hydrogen sector and support local procurement within large-scale infrastructure projects. The initiative, supported by H2Uppp funding and a Letter of Intent, aligns with Namibia's industrialisation agenda as Hyphen develops the country's first large-scale green hydrogen project under a Feasibility and Implementation Agreement with the Government.
The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has launched the Namibia Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme Legal Hub, a website providing public access to statutory and legal instruments relating to natural resource management. The hub was funded by the French Government through the French Development Agency, with co-funding from the German Government through GIZ.
The Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training said the Ministry of Education is broadening TVET training opportunities for marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities, through a renewed partnership with Germany supported by EUR 3.4 million investment under the ProTVET Programme.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, partnering with Enertrag and GIZ, will sign a cooperation agreement under the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme to strengthen Namibian supplier capacity in the green hydrogen sector. The initiative, funded by EUR 300,000 from H2UPPP and EUR 300,000 from Hyphen, will implement an Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme to build capability and competitiveness of Namibian enterprises.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy plans to spend N$54 billion on procurement from local Namibian businesses over its project lifespan, targeting 30% local procurement. The company has launched a capacity-building programme with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, backed by grant funding, to help Namibian companies compete for specialised opportunities across the hydrogen sector value chain.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Enertrag and GIZ signed an agreement to support Namibian suppliers in the green hydrogen value chain through an Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme. The partnership aims to strengthen local capacity and participation, with over €40 million committed to Namibian projects and focus on building domestic industries, creating jobs, and increasing processed exports rather than raw material exports.
Rundu Town Council CEO Olavi Nathanael responded to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development's rejection of his contract extension, citing achievements in water supply stabilization, road rehabilitation, and infrastructure development. Nathanael defended his performance as "competitive" despite financial constraints, and attributed service delivery challenges to structural limitations and funding shortages rather than poor management.
An opinion piece argues that Namibian CSOs have become trapped in donor-dependent cycles, driven by foreign funding priorities rather than local needs, and proposes reforms including a national civil society fund, government service contracting, domestic resource mobilisation, and stronger accountability to communities rather than foreign donors.