Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Event

foot-and-mouth disease

Also known as: FMD · Foot and Mouth Disease · FMD outbreak

Business

Bank of Namibia emphasizes resilience, reform at 2026 investor conference

The News

The Bank of Namibia's Deputy Governor told the Cirrus Investor Conference that Namibia's economy is expected to strengthen over the medium term, supported by construction and public investment, but structural constraints and regional risks like Foot-and-Mouth Disease require economic diversification and transformation. The central bank is advancing strategic reforms including an Instant Payments Solution to improve financial inclusion and modernize the financial system.

19 April 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 19 April

  1. Bank of Namibia emphasizes resilience, reform at 2026 investor conference

    The Bank of Namibia's Deputy Governor told the Cirrus Investor Conference that Namibia's economy is expected to strengthen over the medium term, supported by construction and public investment, but structural constraints and regional risks like Foot-and-Mouth Disease require economic diversification and transformation. The central bank is advancing strategic reforms including an Instant Payments Solution to improve financial inclusion and modernize the financial system.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Namibia restricts livestock imports from Botswana over FMD outbreak

    Namibia has imposed immediate restrictions on the importation and in-transit movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products from ten zones in Botswana following confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks reported by Botswana's Veterinary Authority. The measure aims to prevent introduction of the FMD virus into Namibia, though imports from other zones remain permitted with veterinary approval.

    11 March 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. Driest January since 1981 prompts proactive farming strategies

    Namibia's Meteorological Services reported the driest January since 1981, with uneven rainfall posing risks to livestock and crop production. The article urges farmers to take early action—such as selling vulnerable animals and securing irrigation—and calls on policymakers to support export abattoirs, subsidize irrigation systems, and strengthen border security against foot-and-mouth disease.

    3 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Government and private sector mobilize N$13m to prevent livestock disease

    Namibia has launched an FMD Support Fund and Task Force to protect its N$15 billion livestock industry from Foot-and-Mouth Disease, with 11 partners pledging nearly N$13 million. The effort aims to strengthen surveillance, border biosecurity, and response capacity amid heightened risk from FMD outbreaks in neighbouring countries.

    3 March 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 15 February

  1. Namibia strengthens FMD prevention as outbreaks emerge regionally

    Following Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks in neighbouring countries, Namibia's agricultural sector has restructured its FMD response framework to enhance coordination between government and private stakeholders, with focus on surveillance and disinfection measures in high-risk border areas to maintain the country's FMD-free status.

    15 February 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 7 February

  1. Namibia heightens biosecurity against Foot-and-Mouth Disease threat

    Namibia remains free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease but remains on high alert as cases spread in neighbouring South Africa and Botswana. Veterinary authorities have implemented stringent border and import controls, and are urging farmers to observe strict biosecurity measures to protect the country's disease-free status.

    7 February 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 6 February

  1. DA prepares leadership contest as Steenhuisen steps down

    Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen announced he will not seek re-election for a third term, stating his focus must shift to combating foot-and-mouth disease as agriculture minister. Minister Dean Macpherson praised Steenhuisen's decision as showing "remarkable political intuition and maturity," while potential successors including Macpherson and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis position themselves ahead of the party's April elective congress, with nominations opening on 27 February.

    6 February 2026 · The Namibian →

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