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

Government Institutions Pension Fund

Also known as: GIPF · GIPF's

Namibian pension fund serving 105,593 active members and 53,504 pensioners with N$183 billion in assets as of 2024/25.

Politics

PDM leader calls for structural economic reforms in budget debate

The News

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 →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. PDM leader calls for structural economic reforms in budget debate

    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 →

Friday 13 March

  1. GIPF seeks to recover N$18.6 million from former employee theft

    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 →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Aupindi proposes commodity dividends to hedge currency volatility

    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 →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Mining and oil gas forecast to drive Namibian GDP growth

    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 →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. IPC MP challenges Namport chairperson appointment over pension fund diversion

    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 →

Saturday 28 February

  1. Pensioners to receive N$100 monthly increase from April 2026

    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 →

Wednesday 25 February

  1. Leaked document shows 5% civil servant pay rise from 2026

    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 →

Sunday 8 February

  1. GIPF pension fund grows assets to N$183 billion with 10.6% return

    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 →

Friday 6 February

  1. GIPF assets grow 9 percent to N$183 billion

    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 →

  2. GIPF hosts first member engagement forum at Ongwediva

    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 →

Namibia Minute