Also known as: Current central bank governor Ebson Uanguta · Central bank governor Ebson Uanguta · Governor Uanguta
Governor of the Bank of Namibia, advocating for institutional readiness and financial sector expertise ahead of Namibia's oil production.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Ebson Uanguta
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The Namibian
Ebson Uanguta presented on building wealth beyond natural resources
“Uanguta, in his presentation titled "Building Wealth Beyond Natural Resources: Creating Namibia's Next Growth Story", says while resources remain an important anchor of the economy, resource wealth alone cannot guarantee broad-based prosperity, particularly given Namibia's exposure to external shocks and its capital-intensive economic sectors.”
Namibia, Botswana stress diversification in managing resource wealthWindhoek Observer
Bank of Namibia Governor Ebson Uanguta said the Welwitschia Fund is a mechanism for converting resource wealth into longer-term financial wealth
“Bank of Namibia Governor, Ebson Uanguta said the Welwitschia Fund is a mechanism for converting resource wealth into longer-term financial wealth.”
Welwitschia Fund reaches $508.47m market valueWindhoek Observer
Ebson Uanguta said emerging opportunities in oil, gas, and renewable energy should drive growth beyond extraction
“Uanguta said emerging opportunities in oil and gas, renewable energy and green hydrogen, should see the next growth chapter built around more than extraction.”
Namibia, Botswana advance dialogue on resource wealthThe Namibian
Ebson Uanguta said resource wealth alone cannot guarantee broad-based prosperity
“"Resource wealth alone cannot guarantee broad-based prosperity," Uanguta said.”
Namibia, Botswana stress diversification in managing resource wealthWindhoek Observer
Ebson Uanguta said cannot allow interest rate spread to become too big
“"We cannot allow the spread to become too big," Uanguta said, adding that it continuously monitors capital flows and other indicators to ensure price stability and maintain the currency peg.”
Capital outflows to SA at N$10bn compared to N$18bn last yearInformanté
Ebson Uanguta said that this policy stance is deemed appropriate to support international reserves and safeguard the one-to-one Namibia Dollar-South African Rand link
“Ebson Uanguta said that this policy stance is deemed appropriate to support the stock of international reserves and safeguard the one-to-one link between the Namibia Dollar and the South African Rand.”
Repo rate remains unchanged at 6.75%Windhoek Observer
Governor Ebson Uanguta announced MPC's decision to leave repo rate at 6.75%
“The Bank of Namibia's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to leave the repo rate at 6.75%, governor Ebson Uanguta announced today.”
Bank of Namibia leaves repo rate at 6.75%The Namibian
BoN governor Ebson Uanguta said the bank's first-ever commemorative currency honoured Fredericks
“BoN governor Ebson Uanguta at the handover said: "The bank's first-ever commemorative currency honoured Fredericks, reflecting the significance of his achievements to Namibia's history.”
Sprint king finally gets cheetah on coinWindhoek Observer
Governor Ebson Uanguta called on financial sector to strengthen technical expertise and risk management
“The Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Ebson Uanguta, has called on the country's financial sector to strengthen its technical expertise, governance and risk management capabilities to participate sustainably in Namibia's emerging oil and gas industry.”
BoN urges financial sector to build expertise for oil and gas opportunitiesWindhoek Observer
Uanguta expressed appreciation to Bank of Uganda for sharing experience on oil and gas sector preparation
“He also expressed appreciation to the Bank of Uganda for sharing its experience in preparing Uganda's banking sector to participate in the oil and gas value chain, saying Namibia could benefit from lessons learned by fellow African central banks as it develops its own regulatory framework.”
BoN urges financial sector to build expertise for oil and gas opportunitiesTotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanné said the company could make a final decision in October on whether to invest N$279 billion in Namibia's Venus oil field, discovered offshore in 2022. The project is expected to produce 160,000 barrels per day once fully operational.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
TotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanné said the company could make a final decision in October on whether to invest N$279 billion in Namibia's Venus oil field, discovered offshore in 2022. The project is expected to produce 160,000 barrels per day once fully operational.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Bank of Namibia's 2026 Annual Symposium examined how Namibia should prepare for potential oil production, with the Governor identifying three key priorities: developing domestic skills and entrepreneurship, strengthening institutions and regulatory frameworks, and creating stronger links between the petroleum sector and the wider economy.
30 September 2026 · Informanté →
The oil and gas sector attracted approximately N$74.4 billion in foreign direct investment between 2021 and 2025, representing roughly 56% of total FDI inflows. Bank of Namibia officials discussed institutional, regulatory and economic readiness ahead of first oil production, emphasizing capacity-building, revenue management, local participation, and skills development.
28 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's oil and gas sector has attracted N$74.4 billion in foreign direct investment between 2021 and 2025, accounting for roughly 56% of total inflows and contributing 30% to gross fixed capital formation, though its contribution to GDP remains low because not all investment is spent in the country.
26 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta told financial journalists that accurate reporting is essential to financial stability, warning that inaccurate or incomplete information can lead to poor decisions and financial uncertainty. He cited the 2023 Silicon Valley Bank collapse as an example of how quickly information can trigger widespread action.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Bank of Namibia received the 2026 Institutional Leadership Award from the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) during the global policy forum in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, recognizing its contribution to financial inclusion policy development and technical work. Principal economist Sesilia Nekwaya-Okafor also received the 2026 Technical Leadership Award for her work with the Financial Inclusion Data and Impact Working Group.
11 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Bank of Namibia plans to introduce digital money on mobile phones by next June to expand financial inclusion and improve instant payments, with initial use for government-to-person transactions followed by person-to-person transfers. The central bank governor said the digital system will help formalise the informal economy by creating transaction histories that businesses can use to obtain loans from banks.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The proposed Venus oil discovery could require US$17 billion in investment—exceeding Namibia's estimated annual economy—with planned production of 150,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day. The article argues that entrepreneurs should focus on the supporting ecosystem of services and industries that the major project would create, rather than the headline transaction itself.
24 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Minister Modestus Amutse officially inaugurated the National Steering Committee on the Informal Economy in Windhoek on Friday, a 35-member body chaired by Diina Nashidengo. According to the minister, 58% of the workforce is employed in the informal sector, with 59% in rural areas.
21 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia and Botswana have discussed how natural resource wealth can be transformed into sustainable and inclusive prosperity, with both countries stressing the importance of economic diversification, strong institutions, and saving for future generations. Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta highlighted that resource wealth alone cannot guarantee broad-based prosperity, and called for greater local value addition, technology transfer, and stronger domestic supply chains as the country explores opportunities in oil and gas, renewable energy, and green hydrogen.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Welwitschia Fund, established in 2022 to convert Namibia's resource wealth into longer-term financial wealth, has recorded a market value of US$30.85 million (N$508.47 million) as of 31 July, with an annualised return of 15.5% since inception. The fund is designed to strengthen Namibia's resilience to economic shocks and promote intergenerational equity, with a companion Sovereign Wealth Fund of Namibia Bill expected to be tabled in Parliament in 2026.
17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Bank of Namibia and UNAM convened a public lecture featuring the governors of Namibia and Botswana to discuss translating natural resource endowments into sustainable prosperity through economic diversification, sovereign wealth management, and local value addition in sectors including oil, gas, and green hydrogen.
17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
At a Bank of Namibia public lecture, the governors of Namibia and Botswana stressed that natural resource wealth alone cannot guarantee broad-based prosperity, emphasizing the need for economic diversification, strong institutions, local value addition, technology transfer, and saving for future generations.
16 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Capital outflows from Namibia to South Africa fell to about N$10 billion year-to-date, down from N$18 billion in the corresponding period last year, Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta said. The central bank is monitoring the interest rate differential with South Africa, warning that a widening gap could increase capital outflows and pressure the country's foreign reserves and currency peg.
14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.75% and the prime lending rate at 10.25%, citing a need to support international reserves and maintain the Namibia Dollar–South African Rand peg while balancing subdued economic activity and relatively benign inflation.
12 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Bank of Namibia's Monetary Policy Committee has decided to leave the repo rate unchanged at 6.75%, where it has been since a 25 basis point increase in June 2026. The central bank cited efforts to maintain price and financial stability amid domestic and external economic conditions.
12 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Bank of Namibia formally handed over a 1996 commemorative silver coin to Olympic sprinter Frank Fredericks on 31 July, honouring his four Olympic silver medals and 30 years of achievements. The non-circulating N$10 coin, minted in his honour in 1996, features a cheetah symbolising speed and resilience alongside Namibia's coat of arms.
7 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Governor of the Bank of Namibia has called on the country's financial sector to strengthen its technical expertise, governance, and risk management capabilities to participate in Namibia's emerging oil and gas industry. He noted that opportunities extend beyond oil production into transport, logistics, engineering, and professional services, and that non-bank financial institutions like pension funds and insurers could also play a significant financing role.
7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Governor of the Bank of Namibia emphasized that success in the emerging oil and gas industry requires coordination among ministries, regulators, public institutions, financial institutions, energy companies, investors, and educational institutions. He noted that collaboration among regulators is particularly important because risks can spread across institutions and sectors, and that financial institutions must fully understand the sector to participate meaningfully.
7 August 2026 · Informanté →
The National Planning Commission said government will only factor oil income into fiscal planning once oil and gas projects reach a final investment decision, and that borrowing decisions are based on broader economic projections rather than a single sector. The clarification followed criticism from the Independent Patriots for Change, which had accused the NPC director general of proposing that Namibia borrow against future oil revenues despite sector uncertainty.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Payments Association of Namibia has celebrated two decades of transforming the country's payment landscape, highlighted by the successful completion of the National Payment System Strategy 2021–2025, which achieved an 87% implementation rate and transitioned Namibia from manual, paper-based payments to a digital financial ecosystem.
30 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Bank of Namibia's Macroprudential Oversight Committee concluded that Namibia's financial system remains sound and stable following an assessment of systemic risks and vulnerabilities. Real GDP grew by 2.0% in the first quarter of 2026, rebounding from 0.1% in the final quarter of 2025, with growth projected to reach 2.6% in 2026, though the outlook faces downside risks from geopolitical tensions, weaker global demand, and water supply constraints.
22 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Bank of Namibia, Instant Payments Namibia (IPN), and NamClear signed a Declaration of Intent to strengthen collaboration and align their operations, aiming to enhance efficiency, resilience and interoperability of the national payments ecosystem by connecting instant payment capability with existing clearing infrastructure.
2 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list as of 19 June 2026, following the amendment of nine laws and enactment of four new pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. The government hailed the removal as a turning point for investor confidence and integration into the global financial system.
24 June 2026 · New Era →
Namibia has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, effective 19 June 2026. Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said the exit reflects political commitment and institutional coordination on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing reforms, while cautioning against complacency.
24 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Bank of Namibia's governor reports that the Monetary Policy Committee increased the repo rate by 25 basis points in response to rising inflationary pressures driven by oil infrastructure damage and shipping disruptions from Middle Eastern conflict. As a small open economy, Namibia remains vulnerable to external shocks transmitted through global markets.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Bank of Namibia increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.75%, pushing the prime lending rate to 10.25%, which means commercial banks will charge more for home loans, vehicle finance, and other credit. Governor Ebson Uanguta said the decision was necessary to mitigate inflationary risks and safeguard the one-to-one link between the Namibian dollar and the South African rand.
18 June 2026 · New Era →
The Bank of Namibia increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.75%, bringing the Prime lending rate to 10.25%, citing rising global and domestic inflationary pressures and shifting monetary policy stances among major central banks.
17 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Bank of Namibia increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.75%, effective immediately, with the prime lending rate also rising to 10.25%. Governor Ebson Uanguta said the Monetary Policy Committee tightened policy to counter rising inflation and maintain the NAD/ZAR currency peg, with headline inflation climbing to 4.1% in May 2026.
17 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An editorial criticizes Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare's approach to Namibia's housing crisis, arguing that appealing to commercial banks to lower mortgage rates ignores the systemic failures that have produced a backlog of over 300,000 units and left the ultra low-income majority unable to qualify for traditional mortgages.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →