Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Ebson Uanguta

Also known as: Current central bank governor Ebson Uanguta · Central bank governor Ebson Uanguta · Governor Uanguta

Governor of the Bank of Namibia overseeing monetary policy, financial system oversight, and central bank operations.

2024-01-102026-07-23
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. April 2026

  2. Informanté

    Ebson Uanguta, Governor of the Bank of Namibia explained MPC noted weak domestic economic activity and higher inflation forecast for 2026

    Source

    “Ebson Uanguta, Governor of the Bank of Namibia, explained that in determining the appropriate monetary policy stance, the Monetary Policy Committee noted weak domestic economic activity and credit extension, amidst a higher inflation forecast for 2026.”

    Repo rate maintained at 6.50%

  3. Informanté

    Uanguta said real GDP growth anticipated to recover with growth projected at 2.6% for 2026 and 2.9% for 2027

    Source

    “Looking ahead, Uanguta said real GDP growth is anticipated to recover over the medium term.”

    Repo rate maintained at 6.50%

  4. The Namibian

    Current governor Ebson Uanguta says the agreement with Navachab represents an important step in advancing the bank's reserve diversification strategy

    Source

    “Current governor Ebson Uanguta says the agreement with Navachab represents an important step in advancing the bank's reserve diversification strategy.”

    BoN to refine Navachab gold abroad, considers London storage

  5. New Era

    Governor Ebson Uanguta said global growth remained steady at 3.3% in 2025 supported by investment in technology

    Source

    “"Global growth remained steady at 3.3% in 2025, the same as in 2024, supported by investment in technology, supportive policies and resilient private sector activity," he said.”

    Growth slows as global risks rise – BoN

  6. New Era

    Governor Ebson Uanguta said real GDP growth dropped to 1.7% in 2025 from 3.8% in 2024

    Source

    “"The slowdown was mainly due to weaker performance in the primary industries. Agriculture declined due to restocking activities, while mining was affected by lower global demand for diamonds," Uanguta said.”

    Growth slows as global risks rise – BoN

  7. The Namibian

    Ebson Uanguta said redemption of Eurobond and weakening US dollar contributed to loss

    Source

    “Current central bank governor Ebson Uanguta, in the annual results released yesterday, said the redemption of the Eurobond and the weakening of the United States (US) dollar contributed to the loss.”

    Bank of Namibia reports record N$892m loss

  8. New Era

    Ebson Uanguta said the bank performed strongly despite global challenges

    Source

    “BoN Governor Ebson Uanguta said the bank performed strongly despite global challenges.”

    BoN pays N$200m dividend to gov

  9. Informanté

    Ebson Uanguta explained that decline in global inflation and weakening US dollar contributed to reduction in operating profit

    Source

    “This was revealed by Ebson Uanguta, the central bank's governor, who explained that the decline in global inflation, the weakening of the US dollar, the redemption of the Eurobond, and the Bank's continued fulfilment of its mandate, namely currency issuance, reserve management, and the advancement of financial inclusion, collectively contributed to a reduction in the Bank's operating profit for the 2025 financial year.”

    Bank of Namibia declares a dividend of N$200 million to government
  10. March 2026

  11. Informanté

    Ebson Uanguta said the agreement represents an important step in advancing reserve diversification strategy

    Source

    “"This agreement represents an important step in advancing the Bank's reserve diversification strategy. Gold continues to play a critical role as a store of value and a hedge against global uncertainty", BoN's Governor, Ebson Uanguta, said.”

    Bank of Namibia signs gold purchase deal with Navachab Mine

  12. New Era

    Ebson Uanguta said this development forms part of the Bank's broader gold acquisition programme

    Source

    “Governor of the central bank, Ebson Uanguta, said this development forms part of the Bank's broader gold acquisition programme, which aims to strengthen the composition of reserve assets, enhance financial resilience, and support the country's capacity to respond to external shocks.”

    BoN, Navachab Mine signs gold purchase deal
Business

Bank of Namibia: Financial system remains sound and stable

The News

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.

21 hours ago · Informanté →

Yesterday

  1. Bank of Namibia: Financial system remains sound and stable

    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.

    21 hours ago · Informanté →

Thursday 2 July

  1. Bank of Namibia, IPN, NamClear sign collaboration agreement

    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 →

Wednesday 24 June

  1. Namibia exits FATF grey list after major financial reforms

    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 →

  2. Namibia exits FATF grey list, strengthening financial system confidence

    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 →

Thursday 18 June

  1. Bank of Namibia raises repo rate amid global supply shocks

    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 →

  2. Bank of Namibia raises repo rate to 6.75%

    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 →

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Bank of Namibia raises repo rate to 6.75%

    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 →

  2. Bank of Namibia raises repo rate to 6.75 percent

    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 →

Sunday 14 June

  1. Opinion: PM's housing policy response lacks substance and scale

    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 →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Central bank warns public debt could reach 70% of GDP

    Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta warned that Namibia's public debt could rise to 70% of GDP by the end of the current financial year without spending reforms, noting that debt has already exceeded the 60% benchmark and currently stands at 65.2% of GDP. The central bank says the government can no longer rely on borrowing to fund expenditure and cautioned against borrowing against future oil revenues.

    9 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Prime minister calls for review of housing finance models

    Prime minister Elijah Ngurare has questioned Namibia's housing finance model, arguing that lengthy repayment periods of up to 20 years make homeownership unaffordable for young people, and has urged the Bank of Namibia to engage commercial banks to review and reform existing housing finance models. Finance minister Ericah Shafudah welcomed the directive and called for the central bank, her ministry, and the office of the prime minister to work with commercial banks to implement the proposal.

    9 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Bank of Namibia vows gradual banking fee reduction over three years

    The central bank governor told parliament that reducing high banking fees will take time as new regulations are implemented, though he expects significant progress within three years. Banks earned N$5.0 billion from fee income last year, representing 31.3% of their total income.

    3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 30 May

  1. Bank of Namibia holds repo rate at 6.50% until mid-June

    The Bank of Namibia announced its repo rate will remain at 6.50% until mid-June, keeping commercial bank prime lending rates at 10%. The central bank cited weak domestic economic activity, higher inflation forecasts for 2026, and the need to maintain the Namibia dollar's peg to the South African rand in its decision.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 21 May

  1. BoN governor warns of economic headwinds despite medium-term recovery prospects

    Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta said Namibia's economy faces headwinds from weaker diamond prices, drought and constrained fiscal space, though it is projected to gradually strengthen over the medium term supported by increased uranium production, tourism recovery, and mining and energy investment. He noted that Namibia's strategic importance presents opportunities in oil and gas, renewable energy, and mining, but cautioned that global growth is expected to remain subdued through 2026 and 2027 amid geopolitical tensions and technological shifts.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Bank of Namibia discusses economic outlook with diplomats

    The Bank of Namibia hosted diplomats, development agencies and international stakeholders to discuss global economic developments and Namibia's economic outlook. BoN governor Ebson Uanguta said the global economy faces structural changes from geopolitical tensions, technology shifts, climate risks and supply-chain disruptions, and that central banks must strengthen areas beyond traditional mandates including digital finance and cyber resilience.

    21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Bank of Namibia governor visits East African central banks

    Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta visited Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to strengthen cooperation and learn from other African central banks, focusing on financial systems, digital transformation, banking supervision, oil sector management and economic policy. The Bank of Namibia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rwanda's central bank on economic research, financial inclusion, digital transformation, sustainable finance, innovation and staff training.

    20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 30 April

  1. Bank governor urges public to handle new coins properly

    Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta has urged the public to stop damaging the country's new coin series, saying such actions are contributing to their deterioration. The coin series, introduced last year, has drawn criticism over rust and reduced durability; Uanguta said the bank is investigating concerns and testing coins in laboratories.

    30 April 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Bank of Namibia maintains repo rate at 6.50%

    The Bank of Namibia's Monetary Policy Committee unanimously decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.50%, with commercial banks expected to maintain their prime lending rate at 10.00%. The decision was guided by weak domestic economic activity, higher inflation forecast for 2026, and the need to safeguard the peg between the Namibia Dollar and the South African Rand.

    29 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 10 April

  1. Bank of Namibia appoints Mukasa as deputy governor

    The Bank of Namibia has appointed Nicholas Mukasa as second deputy governor effective May. Mukasa previously served as director of financial markets, managing foreign exchange reserves, implementing monetary policy, and overseeing government debt issuance.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 April

  1. Bank of Namibia to refine and store Navachab gold abroad

    The Bank of Namibia has agreed to purchase gold from Navachab Gold Mine for its reserves, but will send the unrefined gold abroad to be refined to international standards and is considering storage at the Bank of England in London. The central bank will buy gold through planned transactions over several months at prevailing market prices, aiming for a single-digit allocation to its foreign reserves.

    9 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 7 April

  1. Namibian economic growth slows amid global risks, sector weakness

    The Bank of Namibia reported that real GDP growth dropped to 1.7% in 2025 from 3.8% in 2024, driven by weaker agriculture, lower global diamond demand, and manufacturing contraction, though inflation eased to 3.5% and services remained steady. Global growth is expected to slow to 3.2% by 2027 due to rising public debt and geopolitical tensions.

    7 April 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 4 April

  1. Bank of Namibia reports record N$892 million loss in 2025

    The Bank of Namibia declared a record annual loss of N$892 million for 2025, primarily due to unrealised foreign exchange losses from Eurobond redemption and currency fluctuations, though operating profit of N$569 million allowed a N$200 million dividend to government.

    4 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Bank of Namibia pays N$200m dividend to government

    The Bank of Namibia paid N$200 million in dividends to the government for the 2025 financial year, down from N$720 million in 2024, despite strong operating profit of N$569 million. Governor Ebson Uanguta attributed the decline to factors including reduced global inflation, weakening of the US dollar, Eurobond redemption, and currency fluctuations.

    2 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. Bank of Namibia declares N$200 million dividend to government

    The Bank of Namibia recorded an operating profit of N$569 million in 2025 and will distribute N$200 million in dividends to government, down from N$750 million in 2024, following a 50% decline in distribution profits due to global inflation declines, US dollar weakness, and Eurobond redemption.

    1 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 27 March

  1. Bank of Namibia enters gold purchase deal with Navachab Mine

    The Bank of Namibia has signed a gold purchase agreement with QKR Namibia Navachab to acquire locally produced gold, part of a broader programme to strengthen reserve assets, enhance financial resilience, and support the country's ability to respond to external shocks. The phased gold acquisition programme aligns with international reserve management standards and aims to support macroeconomic stability and national economic interests.

    27 March 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 26 March

  1. Bank of Namibia signs gold purchase deal with Navachab Mine

    The Bank of Namibia has signed a gold purchase agreement with QKR Namibia Navachab to strengthen the country's financial reserves and implement a structured gold acquisition programme. The agreement aims to improve reserve management, enhance financial resilience, support retention of national resources, and help the economy respond to external shocks.

    26 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Bank of Namibia and NAMFISA sign updated cooperation agreement

    The Bank of Namibia and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority have signed an updated Memorandum of Agreement to strengthen cooperation in regulating Namibia's financial sector. The framework enables information sharing, joint supervision, joint investigations, and coordination on emerging risks and financial technology matters.

    26 March 2026 · Informanté →

  3. Bank of Namibia and Namfisa strengthen financial oversight partnership

    The Bank of Namibia and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority have signed an updated agreement to improve cooperation in regulating and supervising the financial sector, including joint supervision, information sharing, and support for fintech development. The partnership aims to safeguard financial stability, protect consumers, and align Namibia with international standards.

    26 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. BoN and NAMFISA sign cooperation deal for financial oversight

    The Bank of Namibia and NAMFISA have signed an updated Memorandum of Agreement to strengthen cooperation in regulating the financial sector, establishing a system for information sharing, joint inspections, and risk monitoring. The deal includes creation of a technical working group to support responsible growth of financial technology in Namibia.

    25 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 23 March

  1. PM urges financial institutions to prioritize dignity in lending practices

    Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has called on financial institutions to engage in respectful dialogue that preserves individuals' dignity and minimizes severe consequences like home repossession, emphasizing humanity and shared national responsibility. During a meeting with the Bank of Namibia, he commended the institution's strategic direction and affirmed government support for advancing the Sixth National Development Plan through credible and forward-looking institutions.

    23 March 2026 · Informanté →

Ebson Uanguta — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute