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

Ericah Shafudah

Also known as: finance minister Ericah Shafudah · Erica Shafudah · minister of finance Ericah Shafudah · Ericah Shafuda · Minister of finance, Erica Shafudah · finance minister Erica Shafudah

Finance Minister who led Namibia's exit from the FATF grey list and tabled tax court and accounting regulatory reforms.

2023-04-242026-07-23
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What’s been said

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

  1. March 2026

  2. New Era

    Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah revealed strategy is response to global shocks and commodity volatility

    Source

    “In a keynote address read on her behalf by Deputy Executive Director Justus Mwafongwe, Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah revealed that the strategy is a direct response to global shocks and commodity volatility that have previously hindered Namibia's growth.”

    Nam, AfDB launch industrialisation blueprint

  3. The Namibian

    Ericah Shafudah said there is nothing she can do because the law requires levies on all imported goods

    Source

    “In response, Shafudah said there is nothing she can do because the law requires levies on all imported goods.”

    Impalila residents face high import duties, IPC’s Mwashindange urges government action

  4. The Namibian

    Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said the government would be guided by the Code of Good Practice on Preferences

    Source

    “In her tabling of the 2026/27 budget, finance minister Ericah Shafudah said the government would be guided by the Code of Good Practice on Preferences.”

    IPPR says procurement policies are vulnerable to corruption

  5. New Era

    Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah stated that government debt stood at N$174.5 billion as of January 2026, equivalent to 65.2% of GDP.

    Source

    “During the tabling of the national budget earlier this year, Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah stated that government debt stood at N$174.5 billion as of January 2026, equivalent to 65.2% of gross domestic product.”

    Economists warn of pressure on govt finances

  6. The Namibian

    Minister of finance Ericah Shafudah clarified reports about alleged N$65 million missing from NamPost, describing them as misleading

    Source

    “Minister of finance Ericah Shafudah has clarified reports about the alleged N$65 million missing from Namibia Post Limited (NamPost), describing them as misleading.”

    Shafudah clarifies missing N$65m at NamPost

  7. The Namibian

    Shafudah describes the programme as foundational pillar in financial system modernisation

    Source

    “Shafudah in the statement describes the programme as a foundational pillar in the modernisation of the financial system.”

    Bank Windhoek pilots digital grants

  8. The Namibian

    Finance minister Ericah Shafudah failed to provide details for the health and social sectors

    Source

    “Finance minister Ericah Shafudah failed to provide details for the health and social sectors and neglected to include social cohesion and mental health in the economic planning.”

    Austerity for Namibia’s Working People?

  9. The Namibian

    Minister of finance Ericah Shafudah announced the e-commerce clearance centre during tabling of the national budget

    Source

    “Announced by minister of finance Ericah Shafudah during the tabling of the national budget, the centre will function as a single, dedicated hub to process online imports more efficiently.”

    Namra to launch e-commerce clearance centre

  10. The Namibian

    Shafudah said the centre addresses challenges from rapid e-commerce expansion in Namibia

    Source

    “Shafudah said the new centre is designed to address growing challenges linked to the rapid expansion of e-commerce in Namibia.”

    Namra to launch e-commerce clearance centre

  11. New Era

    Finance minister Ericah Shafudah announced N$2.8 billion allocated to subsidise tertiary education

    Source

    “During her national budget speech last Thursday, finance minister Ericah Shafudah announced that the government has allocated N$2.8 billion to subsidise tertiary education.”

    Primary schools get N$11.8b
Politics

IPC demands accountability for stalled TransNamib fraud referral

The News

The Independent Patriots for Change has accused the government of inaction on a March 2022 Ernst & Young investigation that found prima facie evidence of fraud and theft at TransNamib, after the report was referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission in March 2022 with no subsequent prosecution or recovery of funds. The party says TransNamib fell over N$23 million behind on employee contributions during the investigation period.

9 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 July

  1. IPC demands accountability for stalled TransNamib fraud referral

    The Independent Patriots for Change has accused the government of inaction on a March 2022 Ernst & Young investigation that found prima facie evidence of fraud and theft at TransNamib, after the report was referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission in March 2022 with no subsequent prosecution or recovery of funds. The party says TransNamib fell over N$23 million behind on employee contributions during the investigation period.

    9 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 July

  1. President tours NDF brigade, emphasises discipline and professionalism

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the 21 Motorised Infantry Brigade in Windhoek and emphasised discipline as the cornerstone of military professionalism, while calling for coordinated response to substance abuse within the Namibian Defence Force. She reminded troops of their responsibility to protect the Central Region, including the capital city and key institutions.

    8 July 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 1 July

  1. Task force review of SOE salaries risks failure without implementation

    Former finance minister Calle Schlettwein has warned that a new 11-member task force appointed to review state-owned enterprise salaries over three months will fail without strict implementation and broader structural reforms. He cited previous attempts that failed because SOEs regraded themselves to higher categories and a commission recommendation that was approved but never implemented.

    1 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 30 June

  1. Fishing industry warns of 50% bycatch levy hike

    Namibia's fishing industry has cautioned that the government's proposal to increase the bycatch levy from 15% to 50% could threaten company viability and lead to job losses and vessel shutdowns. The Namibian Hake Association warns the measure, combined with stricter bycatch thresholds and forfeiture provisions, would be punitive rather than corrective, and says the industry was not meaningfully consulted before the proposal reached Cabinet.

    30 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 29 June

  1. Fisheries minister raises bycatch penalty levy to 50%

    Namibia's agriculture minister has implemented a Cabinet decision to increase the penalty levy on bycatch from 15% to 50%, citing alarming increases in bycatch volumes and threats to marine biodiversity. The ministry convened stakeholder consultations in response to some fisheries recording increases of more than 200% in bycatch over the past decades.

    29 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 24 June

  1. Motor industry divided over relaxing Namibia's vehicle import age limit

    The government is reconsidering restrictions on importing vehicles older than 12 years, saying the policy has increased costs without achieving its intended purpose. Motor industry stakeholders are split, with some calling for consumer protections to accompany any relaxation, citing concerns about vehicle suitability to local conditions and after-sales support.

    24 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. 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 →

  3. 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 →

Sunday 21 June

  1. Parliament disrupted again as opposition challenges speaker authority

    The national assembly adjourned Wednesday after opposition parliamentarians clashed with speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila over her authorisation of the finance minister to speak on behalf of the prime minister. The editorial argues that repeated parliamentary disruptions reflect a failure of political leadership across parties and have prevented debate on critical legislation, including the petroleum bill.

    21 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 20 June

  1. Namibia removed from FATF grey list following reforms

    Namibia has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list after successfully implementing reforms to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. The country was initially grey-listed in February 2024 with 13 identified deficiencies, which it addressed ahead of a May 2026 deadline.

    20 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 19 June

  1. Namibia removed from Financial Action Task Force greylist

    The Financial Action Task Force has removed Namibia from its greylist after successfully addressing all 13 strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks, two years after being greylisted in February 2024.

    19 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. National Assembly passes Income Tax Amendment Bill 2025

    The National Assembly has passed the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2025, which replaces the current "special court" with a dedicated tax court operating as a division of the High Court to resolve income tax and VAT disputes. The tax court will provide taxpayers and the Namibia Revenue Agency with a more structured and efficient mechanism for resolving tax disputes.

    19 June 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 18 June

  1. Draft law tightens regulation of accounting and auditing

    Namibia's Finance Minister tabled a bill to replace the 1951 Public Accountants and Auditors Act and establish a new Accountants and Auditors Regulatory Authority to oversee accountants, auditors, and accounting technicians while aligning the profession with international standards.

    18 June 2026 · New Era →

  2. Government tables bill to establish independent Tax Court

    The government has tabled the Income Tax Amendment Bill of 2026 to establish an independent Tax Court within the High Court system, replacing the defunct Special Tax Court following a 2021 High Court ruling that found key provisions of the existing system unconstitutional due to a conflict of interest involving the minister of finance.

    18 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  3. Tax Court reform strengthens separation of powers

    The government's proposal to establish an independent Tax Court addresses a constitutional gap following a 2021 High Court ruling that declared aspects of the old Special Tax Court unconstitutional, with the new framework placing the court within the High Court structure and assigning judicial independence over judge appointments.

    18 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  4. Namibia to overhaul accounting and auditing regulatory framework

    Finance Minister Erica Shafudah has tabled the Accountants and Auditors Regulatory Authority Bill in Parliament, proposing to replace the Public Accountants' and Auditors' Act of 1951 with new legislation that establishes the Accountants and Auditors Regulatory Authority to regulate auditors, accountants, accounting technicians, and firms, aligning Namibia's standards with international best practice.

    18 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 17 June

  1. National Assembly descends into disorder over speaker's rulings

    Opposition parliamentarians from the PDM, AR, and IPC challenged speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday over the manner in which she was conducting proceedings, with members arguing she was dismissing points of order without allowing them to be heard. The confrontation erupted after finance minister Ericah Shafudah was authorised to table and read a debate speech on behalf of prime minister Elijah Ngurare, a move strongly opposed by opposition parties.

    17 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Government tables amendments to establish independent tax court

    Finance Minister Erica Shafudah has introduced amendments to the Income Tax Act in the National Assembly aimed at establishing an independent tax court to hear income tax and value-added tax appeals. The new court, to function within the High Court structure, responds to a 2021 High Court ruling that found the former special tax court unconstitutional due to the minister's conflicting powers over tax administration and court appointments.

    17 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 15 June

  1. Finance minister says old car import ban may be ineffective

    Namibia's finance minister said the government is reconsidering its ban on importing vehicles older than 12 years, acknowledging that the policy may have only increased costs for consumers without stopping the vehicles from entering the market. The minister noted that import policies were developed before online shopping and small-scale import businesses became common.

    15 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 14 June

  1. ACC investigates Keetmanshoop municipality electricity contract deal

    The Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating the Keetmanshoop Municipality over alleged irregularities in a N$3.4-million service level agreement awarded to JJF Investments and Bellatrix SME Finance for the supply of prepaid electricity meters. The Ministry of Finance also launched an investigation after receiving information alleging non-compliance with the Public Procurement Act.

    14 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. 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 →

Friday 5 June

  1. President calls for broader financial inclusion, improved literacy

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for greater financial inclusion, improved financial literacy and broader access to investment opportunities as key to developing Namibia's financial sector, remarks made during Namibia Asset Management's 30th-anniversary celebration.

    5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Namibia implements Financial Institutions and Markets Act

    Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said the implementation of the Financial Institutions and Markets Act on 1 May marked a significant step in modernising the regulation of Namibia's non-banking financial sector. The act, passed in 2021 alongside the Namfisa Act, establishes a modern regulatory framework designed to strengthen oversight of financial institutions, improve market confidence and support sustainable growth, with over 150 regulations and standards developed through stakeholder consultations between 2021 and 2025.

    3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 1 June

  1. President signs N$104 billion national budget for 2026/27

    The 2026/27 national budget has been signed into law by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and gazetted, allowing government ministries and agencies to access approved funding. The N$104 billion budget provides N$81.3 billion for operational expenditure, N$6.5 billion for development projects and N$16.2 billion for interest payments, with a projected N$15 billion financing gap to be covered through borrowing.

    1 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Consumer credit bill undergoes final review before parliamentary submission

    Namibia's proposed consumer credit bill, which aims to overhaul the consumer credit industry and protect borrowers, has completed public consultation and is now undergoing final review by Namfisa before resubmission to the finance minister. The legislation introduces stricter affordability assessments, improved disclosure requirements, stronger consumer protections, and tighter regulation of credit providers, while repealing three existing laws.

    1 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 21 May

  1. Government convenes meeting on customs charges for importers

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare met with the finance minister and Namibia Revenue Agency commissioner to discuss solutions for small import entrepreneurs, known as 'Order With Me' operators, who face complaints over high and unpredictable customs duties, VAT, and courier clearance charges that are making their businesses unsustainable.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Finance minister defends new Financial Institutions Act

    Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah says the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (Fima), which came into force on 1 May, will benefit citizens, businesses and investors while strengthening government oversight and modernizing the legal framework for financial institutions. Shafudah stated the act aims to ensure financial stability, financial inclusion and consumer protection.

    13 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Finance minister launches FIMA, postpones mandatory pension fund freezing

    The Namibian Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Ericah Shafudah, launched the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (FIMA) on 1 May 2026, consolidating regulations for Namibia's non-bank financial sector. The minister announced that the mandatory freezing or preservation of 75% of pension funds upon resignation has been put on hold following public concerns.

    13 May 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Finance ministry rejects SSC procurement exemption request

    The Ministry of Finance has rejected the Social Security Commission's request for a procurement exemption to fast-track a N$43.8-million fund management system project. Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said the SSC did not sufficiently justify why the entire Public Procurement Act should be set aside, and noted that the law already provides procurement options such as restricted bidding for specialized services.

    6 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. New rules require interest on late pension benefit transfers

    Pension and retirement funds must now pay interest to members if benefits are not transferred within 60 days of request, under regulations from the Financial Institutions and Markets Act 2021 that came into effect on 1 May. Employers must also pay retirement contributions on time or face interest charges, with both employers and their directors liable for unpaid contributions.

    6 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Ericah Shafudah — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute