Also known as: DBN
Development Bank of Namibia — development finance institution that has invested over N$1.58 billion in clean energy projects and holds development loan commitments, appearing in recent coverage of lending decisions and court proceedings.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Development Bank of Namibia
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Development Bank of Namibia obtained default judgment for N$19.9 million payment
“The auction was arranged as a result of a default judgement for the payment of N$19.9 million that the DBN obtained against the close corporation in the Windhoek High Court in April 2022.”
Attempt to stop auction of Rossmund Golf Course failsNew Era
Development Bank of Namibia is providing mentorship to National Youth Development Fund beneficiaries for sustainability
“To strengthen sustainability, beneficiaries are receiving mentorship through the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN).”
Youth fund creates 700 jobs …as Namibia reports progress at APRM SummitThe Namibian
Development Bank of Namibia has trained more than 400 young people under 121 Rural Youth Enterprises Project
“She said the bank has since trained more than 400 young people under the 121 Rural Youth Enterprises Project across all 14 regions.”
Over N$60 million allocated to 140 youth projects – presidentNew Era
Development Bank of Namibia approved approximately N$15 million for youth business financing
“The Fund, introduced by the Ministry of Finance, has approved the expansion of youth business financing through the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), with approvals totaling approximately N$15 million.”
DBN approves N$15m for NYDFThe Namibian
Development Bank of Namibia granted N$8.6 million in funding approvals between 1 November 2025 and 30 January
“Ministry of Finance spokesperson Wilson Shikoto says funding approvals of N$8.6 million were granted to these enterprises through the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) between 1 November 2025 and 30 January this year.”
Youth fund boosts 30 businesses with N$15mThe Namibian
Development Bank of Namibia granted N$8.6 million to 30 youth-owned enterprises between November 2025 and January
“According to Ministry of Finance spokesperson Wilson Shokoto, funding approvals of N$8.6 million were granted to 30 youth-owned enterprises through DBN between 1 November 2025 and 30 January.”
Youth development fund approves N$14.9m for businesses through DBNThe Namibian
Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) announced loan write-off this week
“The bank announced the loan write-off this week.”
Asoli demands answers on development bank's N$579 million loan write-offThe Namibian
Development Bank of Namibia loaned N$14.1 million to key management personnel for home purchases
“The gross amount for staff home loans to key management is N$14.1 million (2024: N$15.2 million).”
N$14.1 million loaned to DBN executives to buy homesThe Namibian
Development Bank of Namibia operates a home ownership scheme providing mortgage bonds to employees at reduced rates
“The bank operates a home ownership scheme, in which mortgage bonds are provided to the bank employees at reduced interest rates.”
N$14.1 million loaned to DBN executives to buy homesInformanté
Development Bank of Namibia recorded 42% increase in operating profit to N$88.3 million
“THE Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) recorded a 42% increase in operating profit, rising from N$62 million in the 2023/2024 financial year (FY) to N$88.3 million in the 2024/2025 FY.”
DBN records 42% rise in operating profitThe National Youth Development Fund has disbursed approximately N$90.8 million to beneficiaries supporting youth entrepreneurship, with approved projects expected to create about 2,500 employment opportunities. The fund received approximately 13,809 applications by August, with N$135 million in financing approved across participating development finance institutions.
22 hours ago · New Era →
The National Youth Development Fund has disbursed approximately N$90.8 million to beneficiaries supporting youth entrepreneurship, with approved projects expected to create about 2,500 employment opportunities. The fund received approximately 13,809 applications by August, with N$135 million in financing approved across participating development finance institutions.
22 hours ago · New Era →
The Namibian corrects that Turki Nghipondoka, third respondent in a Development Bank of Namibia Supreme Court appeal, is the sister of businessman Vaino Nghipondoka, not his wife.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Development Bank of Namibia has secured a Supreme Court appeal judgment against businessman Vaino Nghipondoka and his sister Turki for N$26.48 million. The court found that a July 2023 settlement between DBN and two of Nghipondoka's companies did not release him and his sister from liability for a N$15.9 million property finance loan obtained by Growmax Agri-Fertilizer in May 2017, for which they had entered into written suretyship agreements.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Lawmakers questioned how the National Youth Development Fund monitors funded projects after a parliamentary committee struggled to trace some beneficiaries, amid concerns over loan repayments, monitoring and use of public money. The Finance Minister acknowledged the government had suffered losses under the programme, which approved over 300 youth projects last year.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
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 →
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila recused herself from presiding over questions about a N$579-million Development Bank of Namibia debt write-off, citing a conflict of interest because her husband is mentioned in the inquiry. AR leader Job Amupanda had sought to question the finance minister about the write-off and alleged preferential treatment of companies linked to businessman Onesmus Amadhila.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Andrada Mining's contained tin production increased 13% to 576 tonnes in the first half of its 2027 financial year, driven by higher feed grades and improved plant performance. The company is implementing a funded production growth programme with N$98 million in financing for planned upgrades, including an ore-sorting circuit expected to boost annual tin concentrate production by 50–70%.
30 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The National Housing Enterprise plans to complete 249 housing units by December, costing N$80.06 million, spread across Meersig, Oshakati, Okakarara, Eenhana, Goreangab, Ongwediva, Keetmanshoop, Walvis Bay, Henties Bay, Usakos and Swakopmund. Over three years, NHE aims to deliver 750 houses and service 4,215 plots through its Informal Settlement Upgrading and Affordable Housing Programme.
29 September 2026 · New Era →
Skeleton Basin Investments Limited has appointed three independent non-executive directors, including Debmarine Namibia chief executive officer Willy Mertens as chairman of the board, effective 25 September 2026.
28 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The National Youth Development Fund has received about 13,809 applications since establishment, with N$135 million approved and N$90.8 million disbursed as of end-August. The government allocated N$258 million to the NYDF for the 2025/26 financial year.
16 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Development Bank of Southern Africa held N$2.159 billion in development loan commitments to Namibia at the end of its 2025/26 financial year, unchanged from the previous year. Development loan exposure attributed to Namibia stood at N$45.108 million, down from N$51.214 million in the previous year.
15 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The German government has withdrawn a N$204.49 million grant to the City of Windhoek for a sustainable urban mobility project that was to support non-motorised transport and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A feasibility study found that projected cycling adoption and carbon emission reductions fell short of German climate-funding requirements, prompting the withdrawal.
9 September 2026 · New Era →
The Development Bank of Namibia has invested more than N$1.58 billion in clean energy projects since its inception, supporting 81.6 megawatts of clean energy capacity. The DBN was named winner of the Green Financial Services/Institution category at the 5th Namibia Sustainable Development Awards.
8 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
London-listed Andrada Mining is accelerating exploration and development at its Lithium Ridge project in Namibia's Erongo Region, targeting production by 2028 or 2029 to capitalise on an anticipated recovery in lithium demand. The company plans to advance drilling, define resources and reserves, and complete a Definitive Feasibility Study.
6 September 2026 · Informanté →
Bank Windhoek has brought a summary judgment application against businessman Malakia Elindi to recoup over N$2.7 million used to purchase a luxury BMW vehicle. Elindi, arrested in July 2025 alongside his brother in a Namcor fraud case alleging N$400 million in losses, has faced mounting creditor claims including prior court orders totalling millions in outstanding debts.
3 September 2026 · Informanté →
The German government has withdrawn an estimated N$200-million grant for Windhoek's sustainable urban mobility project after a feasibility study found that the anticipated increase in cycling and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions would not meet Germany's climate-financing requirements. The city had submitted an alternative electric bus project proposal in October 2025 for review.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
An analysis argues that despite decades of political talk about beneficiation, value addition, and manufacturing, Namibia remains dependent on primary commodities and has failed to assemble scattered industrial activity into a coherent industrial economy, requiring instead a reimagined industrial policy linking resources, finance, energy, trade, procurement, skills and markets.
28 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A commentary argues that Namibia's "rich country, poor people" paradox—where extractive industries contribute 13.6 per cent of GDP and employ only 1.4 per cent of the workforce—must be understood as a continuation of colonial extraction rather than national failure, and that economic freedom requires confronting this structural contradiction.
27 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Oshana Regional Council reported economic progress in 2025/2026, including job creation, infrastructure development and education gains, but cited persistent unemployment and limited resources as key obstacles. The region created 120 permanent and 1,681 temporary jobs and invested about N$357.3 million in infrastructure projects.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Andrada Mining has secured N$98 million in funding from Bank Windhoek and the Development Bank of Namibia for a new ore-sorting circuit at its Uis Tin Mine in Erongo region. The 10-year loans are expected to increase tin concentrate production by between 50% and 70%.
18 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Bank Windhoek and the Development Bank of Namibia will provide N$98 million to fund Andrada Mining's ore-sorting project at its Uis mine, with each bank lending N$49 million over 10 years. The expansion aims to increase tin concentrate output and unlock the mine's operational and cash-generating potential.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Youth Development Fund has received over 13,400 applications since launch but approved only 353 (2.6%) for funding. The Ministry of Finance is overhauling the application process after the low approval rate exposed quality issues in submissions, with approximately 13,120 applications still under assessment.
11 August 2026 · New Era →
The Development Bank of Namibia says it has invested N$154.45 million in Kavango East over the past ten years, with the bulk going towards housing and construction.
11 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ruthy Masake has called on young people in Ohangwena to embrace climate-smart farming, agribusiness and innovation, urging them to become active producers and leaders rather than programme beneficiaries. She stressed the integration of climate action, water security and sustainable agriculture to strengthen food security and rural development in response to climate impacts including changing rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells.
10 August 2026 · Informanté →
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani has urged farmers in Aminuis and the Omaheke Region to move beyond primary livestock production and embrace value addition, stating that Namibia's agricultural growth depends on producers capturing more economic benefits along the livestock value chain and creating jobs and businesses in rural communities.
7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ohangwena Region has unveiled a strategic investment map and action plan to attract investment and position local entrepreneurs and businesses as drivers of regional development. The roadmap identifies priority opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, creative economy, health, tourism and hospitality, supported by enabling sectors including water, energy, logistics and housing.
6 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Ohangwena Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa announced an invitation for entrepreneurs, investors and businesses to submit project proposals aligned with the Ohangwena Regional Investment Map and Action Plan 2025–2030, which identifies opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, creative economy, health, tourism, hospitality, water, energy, logistics and housing. The expression of interest process will run from 11 August to 23 September.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare and Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah met with the Development Bank of Namibia and the University of Namibia on Friday to discuss regional manufacturing efforts.
27 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
MTC recorded profits of N$1.45 billion in the 2025 financial year, reinforcing its status as Namibia's most profitable public enterprise in the 2026 IJG Public Enterprise Governance Ranking. Other state-owned enterprises including NamPort, NamPower, and NamibRe showed mixed financial performance, with NamPort emerging as a strong turnaround performer with profits rising to N$864.5 million.
14 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →