Also known as: GIPF · GIPF's
Government Institutions Pension Fund — pension fund serving 105,593 active members and 53,504 pensioners, managing N$183 billion in assets with recent fraud and governance scrutiny.
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The Namibian
Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) showed that two former employees were responsible for a loss of N$18.6 million from fraudulent payments
“The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has shown that two of its former employees were responsible for a loss of N$18.6 million the fund suffered as a result of fraudulent payments.”
Two former GIPF employees ordered to repay N$18.6m after system fraudThe Namibian
Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) paid its board of trustees chairperson Penda Ithindi N$114 000 for attending three meetings in two months
“The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) paid its board of trustees chairperson, Penda Ithindi, N$114 000 for attending three meetings in two months.”
GIPF board members paid N$666 000 in two monthsNew Era
Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) conducted a one-day media workshop to help journalists improve financial reporting
“The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) last week conducted a one-day media workshop to help journalists improve their reporting of financial information.”
GIPF shares financial storytelling tipsInformanté
Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) approved 5% increase in monthly pension benefits effective 01 April 2026
“THE Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has approved a 5% increase in monthly pension benefits for all pensioners and qualifying beneficiaries, effective 01 April 2026, citing the fund's strong financial position and the need to cushion members against rising living costs.”
GIPF approves 5% pension increase effective AprilThe Namibian
Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) is expected to serve as the anchor investor
“Chief executive Ben Jooste says the company has secured a mandate to establish the fund, with the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) expected to serve as the anchor investor.”
Oryx plans N$8-10 billion fund with GIPF as anchor investorThe Namibian
Government Institutions Pension Fund introduced pension-backed home loan scheme allowing members to access pension savings for home acquisition
“By allowing active members of the GIPF to access a portion of their pension savings for the purpose of acquiring, building, or improving a home, the scheme unlocks opportunities that were previously beyond reach for many households.”
Vice president Lucia Witbooi launches GIPF housing scheme at MarientalInformanté
Government Institutions Pension Fund introduced Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme for members to acquire or build homes
“VICE President Lucia Witbooi has officially launched the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme in Mariental, Hardap Region, introducing a new housing finance mechanism.”
Vice President launches GIPF pension-backed home loan scheme in MarientalThe Namibian
Government Institutions Pension Fund possesses significant financial resources for strategic investments
“Institutions such as the Government Institutions Pension Fund possess significant financial resources that could support strategic investments within the country.”
PDM leader McHenry Venaani delivers contribution to National Assembly budget debateInformanté
Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) is scrambling to regain N$18.6 million allegedly embezzled by two employees
“THE Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) is currently scrambling to regain what little it can of the funds amounting to N$18.6 million allegedly embezzled by its two employees, Matin Eugen Smith and Vabiola Aoses.”
GIPF scrambles to regain N$18.6 million allegedly stolen by former employeesNew Era
Government Institutions Pension Fund manages billions of Namibian dollars in savings on behalf of public servants
“Among the largest asset owners taking part was the Government Institutions Pension Fund, which manages billions of Namibian dollars in savings on behalf of public servants.”
Emerging sectors to fuel growth – KasutoNSX-listed renewable energy company Anirep has secured approval from the Namibia Securities Exchange to postpone publication of its audited annual financial statements until 30 June 2026, citing complexities in goodwill valuation assessments as the reason for exceeding the standard three-month deadline.
2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
NSX-listed renewable energy company Anirep has secured approval from the Namibia Securities Exchange to postpone publication of its audited annual financial statements until 30 June 2026, citing complexities in goodwill valuation assessments as the reason for exceeding the standard three-month deadline.
2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Two senior TransNamib Holdings executives suspended in February over allegations of property mismanagement and statutory breaches returned to work on Tuesday following a directive from the works and transport minister. Their disciplinary hearing is continuing.
27 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Judge Thomas Masuku ruled that two former annuity administrators, Martin Smith and Vabiola Aoses, were responsible for fraudulent payments totalling N$18.6 million from the Government Institutions Pension Fund and must repay that amount plus 20% annual interest.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
High Court judge Thomas Masuku ruled in favour of the Government Institutions Pension Fund, ordering two former employees, Martin Eugen Smith and Vabiola Aoses, to repay N$18,664,657.59 they allegedly embezzled by creating false documents to reactivate suspended child annuitant benefits and channelling the funds into personal accounts.
12 May 2026 · Informanté →
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 →
Recent oil and gas discoveries in the Orange Basin, with an over 80% exploration success rate, position Namibia to avoid reliance on imported fuel and build local refining capacity—a lesson highlighted by recent fuel price shocks tied to Middle Eastern conflicts.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund paid its board of trustees chairperson Penda Ithindi N$114,000 for attending three meetings in two months, and Napwu general secretary Petrus Nevonga N$92,163 during the same period, according to payroll records reviewed by The Namibian. The payments have revived concerns that clustered board and sub-committee meetings have become a parallel income stream for trustees already drawing civil service or union salaries.
4 May 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed concern that reportedly disappearing funds at the Government Institutions Pension Fund and losses at the Bank of Namibia "smell of corruption" and called for investigation. She emphasized that fighting corruption is a collective responsibility for all Namibians and must be treated as seriously as treason.
13 April 2026 · New Era →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund held a media workshop in partnership with the Witwatersrand Centre for Journalism to help journalists turn complex financial data into clear stories for the public. GIPF Chief Executive Martin Inkumbi said the goal was to help journalists better understand and explain financial information to build trust and transparency with the fund's members and the public.
31 March 2026 · New Era →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund has approved a 5% increase in monthly pension benefits for all pensioners and qualifying beneficiaries effective 1 April 2026, citing the fund's strong financial position and the need to protect members against rising living costs including food, fuel, housing and healthcare.
31 March 2026 · Informanté →
FirstRand Namibia has appointed Conville Britz as a non-executive director effective 1 April, in accordance with NSX listing requirements. Britz, currently general manager for strategy and projects at the Government Institutions Pension Fund, brings experience in strategy and institutional investment to the board.
29 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Oryx Properties is launching an unlisted property fund valued at N$8–10 billion, with the Government Institutions Pension Fund as anchor investor, designed to address liquidity constraints in Namibia's unlisted property market and create a pipeline for assets into its listed platform.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Old Mutual Investment Group Namibia has joined government and private partners to launch the Mariental Extension 6 Affordable Housing Development, which will deliver 311 serviced residential plots with 87 already completed. The project, officially launched by Vice President Lucia Witbooi, aims to ease pressure on housing demand in the town and is supported by the Tunga Fund, developers, and end-user financiers.
24 March 2026 · New Era →
Old Mutual Investment Group has committed N$12.75 million to the Mariental Extension 6 Affordable Housing Development in Hardap region, which includes servicing of 311 residential plots with 87 already completed. The project aims to expand access to affordable, serviced housing and contributes to job creation and community stability in the town.
24 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi launched the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) pension-backed home loan scheme in Mariental, allowing GIPF members to access pension savings for acquiring, building, or improving homes, including in rural areas. The scheme is intended to address Namibia's housing backlog and support inclusive development, with Mariental Extension 6 featuring 311 planned affordable houses in the Hardap region.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo MP Marius Sheya has called for executive directors in government ministries and agencies to be subpoenaed and held accountable for failing to implement the national budget, arguing that Parliament must take its oversight mandate seriously and prevent government resources from being misallocated.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi officially launched the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme in Mariental, allowing active pension fund members to access a portion of their savings to acquire, build, or improve homes, including in unproclaimed rural areas. The initiative aims to reduce the national housing backlog, stimulate the construction sector, and create employment opportunities.
19 March 2026 · Informanté →
PDM leader McHenry Venaani told the National Assembly that Namibia must pursue fundamental economic reforms to expand productive capacity, including industrial transformation, agricultural development through irrigation, infrastructure investment, and improved project planning. He argued that the country needs capable state institutions, stronger education outcomes tied to labour market needs, and mobilisation of domestic capital for development priorities.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund is pursuing High Court action to freeze the pension funds of two former employees, Matin Eugen Smith and Vabiola Aoses, accused of embezzling N$18.6 million by altering banking details of inactive beneficiaries and channeling funds into over 50 accounts. GIPF estimates it may recover about N$8 million combined with a forfeiture order already obtained and an interdict to seize the employees' pension benefits totaling N$1.4 million.
13 March 2026 · Informanté →
Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi has proposed a "Commodity Dividend Model" under which Namibia would receive mining and resource dividends in physical commodities like gold, uranium, and lithium rather than fiat currency, arguing this would protect the country against inflation and currency volatility while building a strategic reserve. Aupindi also called for greater industrialisation, more effective taxation of mineral rents, reform of state-owned enterprises, and a shift from passive SACU reliance toward regional value chains and manufacturing.
12 March 2026 · New Era →
Jason Kasuto, managing director of Monasa Advisory and Associates, forecast that Namibia's real GDP growth will average 6.1% between 2026 and 2035, well above the 2015–2024 average of 1.3%, driven primarily by continued expansion of mining and emerging hydrocarbons sectors. Speaking at the Namibia Institutional Investors Forum 2026, Kasuto urged institutional investors to deploy capital into projects that support domestic economic diversification and capacity building rather than relying on global markets.
11 March 2026 · New Era →
Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Rodney Cloete questioned the appointment of Namibian Ports Authority chairperson Jerome Mouton, whose company Myrtle Growth Capital Namibia was deregistered by financial regulators after N$7.3 million of Government Institutions Pension Fund money intended for a school was diverted. Cloete asked Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi whether due diligence was conducted before Mouton's appointment and called for disclosure of all Namport board members' business interests.
4 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of Finance Ericah Shafudah announced that pensioners will receive an additional N$100 from 1 April 2026, with N$447 million allocated to accommodate the increase. The announcement was made during the presentation of the Budget Statement for the 2026/27 financial year in Parliament.
28 February 2026 · Informanté →
A leaked government document indicates civil servants and teachers will receive a 5% salary increase for the 2026/27 financial year and a further 5% for 2027/28, with no transport allowance increment in 2026/27 but a 7% increase scheduled for 2027/28. A senior government official confirmed the document's authenticity and said an official announcement will be made in due course, though some government bodies including the Prime Minister's office said they are unaware of the increment.
25 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) reported N$183 billion in assets and a 10.6% investment return for the 2024/2025 financial year, serving 105,593 active members and 53,504 pensioners. The fund achieved a solvency ratio of 119.69% and distributed N$6.8 billion in benefits to members and dependents.
8 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund has grown assets under management to N$183 billion in 2025, up from N$167 billion the previous year, delivering a real return of 6.4% and net investment income of N$17 billion. The Fund's board chair attributed the growth to sound governance and prudent investment management, and noted the fund has channelled over N$7.78 billion into Namibia's real economy over 13 years.
6 February 2026 · New Era →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund held its first Board of Trustees Member Engagement Forum in Ongwediva, bringing together over 200 members to discuss fund matters. The board highlighted recent member-centric reforms including the pension-backed home loans scheme, launched in January, which allows members to access loans secured against one-third of their pension benefit using N$900 million allocated to the scheme.
6 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Bank BIC Namibia has appointed Erastus Hoveka as chief executive effective February 2, bringing three decades of financial services experience in retail, corporate, investment banking and development finance. The bank also appointed two new non-executive directors and says Hoveka will lead efforts in digital banking, customer service and economic empowerment.
1 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Political analysts say the government is overloaded with overlapping committees and advisers that duplicate work and delay service delivery. Critics argue the new Swapo think tank, comprising 37 appointed members, lacks independence and will produce little meaningful output, while a defending analyst says such bodies can help the party and government reassess decisions and plans.
20 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Owen Sikanda, Head of Benefits Administration at the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), has completed 15 years of service since joining in August 2010, progressing through roles including Client Service Consultant and Senior Administrator: Data Management. He holds multiple qualifications in management and business administration and emphasises teamwork, discipline and mentorship in his approach to service delivery.
16 January 2026 · Namibian Sun →