Also known as: Standard Bank Namibia Group Economist, Helena Mboti · Standard Bank Group economist Helena Mboti
Helena Mboti — Standard Bank Group Economist, with over a decade of experience at the Central Bank of Namibia and FirstRand Namibia Group.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Helena Mboti
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Windhoek Observer
Helena Mboti warns that upside risks remain firmly entrenched
“A new economic assessment from Standard Bank Namibia's group economist, Helena Mboti warns that upside risks remain firmly entrenched.”
Standard Bank projects inflation to climb to 5.2% in 2027Windhoek Observer
Mboti said relief is anticipated in second half of 2027
“Mboti said relief is anticipated in the second half of 2027.”
Standard Bank projects inflation to climb to 5.2% in 2027Windhoek Observer
Helena Mboti said stronger 2Q26 performance and revised first-quarter figures had shifted outlook away from structurally weaker growth path towards growth broadly in line with 2025
“"The stronger 2Q26 print and upward revision to 1Q26 shift our outlook away from a structurally weaker growth path towards growth broadly in line with 2025," Mboti said.”
Standard Bank raises 2026 growth forecast to 2.2%-2.9%The Namibian
Standard Bank Group economist Helena Mboti says underlying price pressures are strengthening
“Standard Bank Group economist Helena Mboti says the latest figures suggest that underlying price pressures are strengthening.”
Price increases hit two-year peakWindhoek Observer
Helena Mboti says inflation outlook increasingly tilted towards upside-risk scenario
“With oil prices rising and pushing up goods prices, fuel subsidies being withdrawn, and El Niño-related food and electricity risks intensifying, the inflation outlook appears increasingly tilted towards an upside-risk scenario over the medium term, Standard Bank Group Economist Helena Mboti says.”
Inflation outlook tilts towards upside risks as price pressures strengthenWindhoek Observer
Helena Mboti said upside risks in Standard Bank's previous outlook were now materialising
“Mboti said upside risks identified in Standard Bank's previous outlook were now materialising.”
Inflation outlook tilts towards upside risks as price pressures strengthenInformanté
Helena Mboti said soft outturn reflects subdued demand rather than tightening financial conditions
“"The soft outturn reflects subdued demand rather than tightening financial conditions. Corporates continued to make net repayments despite lower lending rates and contained inflation, reducing overall credit uptake. At the same time, the lower rate environment has supported selective household borrowing, particularly in mortgages and overdrafts," Mboti said.”
Credit extended to private sector slows in January 2026Informanté
Helena Mboti said low but improving mortgage growth suggests tentative improvements in household confidence
“Mboti said that the low but improving growth rate suggests tentative improvements in household confidence and willingness to make long-term financial commitments.”
Credit extended to private sector slows in January 2026New Era
Helena Mboti stated the low development budget leaves room for private sector to fill gap in funding for developmental needs
“"Although this may be a way for the ministry to manage expectations, given the low execution rate of the development budget, this does pose a concern, given the high capital expenditure required to enable NDP6. On the other hand, this does leave room for the private sector to fill that gap in funding required to meet developmental needs," stated Standard Bank Namibia Group Economist, Helena Mboti.”
Operational spending dominates N$104b budget …leaving room for private sector to meet developmental needsNew Era
Standard Bank economist Helena Mboti argued that tight fiscal space should not paralyse strategic spending on education and entrepreneurship
“Standard Bank economist Helena Mboti argued that tight fiscal space should not paralyse strategic spending.”
Shafudah manoeuvres tight fiscal space … Analysts call for certainty, more investmentStandard Bank's group economist projects headline inflation will rise to approximately 5.2% in 2027 from an expected average above 4.35% in 2026, driven by sustained global oil prices above US$100 per barrel and domestic food supply threats including a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak affecting roughly 29,000 animals.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Standard Bank's group economist projects headline inflation will rise to approximately 5.2% in 2027 from an expected average above 4.35% in 2026, driven by sustained global oil prices above US$100 per barrel and domestic food supply threats including a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak affecting roughly 29,000 animals.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Standard Bank has raised its forecast for Namibia's real economic growth in 2026 to between 2.2% and 2.9%, from an initial forecast of 1.2%, after the Namibia Statistics Agency reported economic activity accelerated to 4.8% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026.
30 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's annual inflation rate reached 5% in August, the highest since February 2024, driven largely by transport costs including a 17.1% rise in vehicle operating costs and 25.1% higher fuel prices. A Financial Inclusion Survey revealed that 546,000 working Namibians have no disposable income and rely on debt for basic needs, with 51.3% borrowing for food.
20 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Headline inflation rose to 5% year-on-year in August 2026 from 4.4% in July, driven primarily by transport inflation reaching 13.2% as petrol prices surged to 25.1%. With oil prices rising globally, fuel subsidies withdrawn, and El Niño-related risks mounting, inflation risks are tilting upward over the medium term, according to Standard Bank Group Economist Helena Mboti.
15 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government's N$500 million monthly fuel subsidy in response to rising oil prices is unsustainable and will not effectively help the poorest Namibians, according to economists. Several specialists argue direct cash grants to low-income groups would be more effective than broad price subsidies, while transport operators warn of industry strain from the fuel increases.
31 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Private sector credit extension slowed to 4.2% year-on-year in January 2026, down from 4.4% in December, driven by weaker business credit and subdued demand rather than tightening financial conditions. Corporates continued making net debt repayments despite lower lending rates, though instalment and leasing credit remained strong at 17.4% growth, underpinned by vehicle sales.
11 March 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's FY2026/27 budget allocates N$81.3 billion to operational spending but cuts capital expenditure to N$8.47 billion, prompting analysts to warn that low investment in infrastructure risks slower economic growth while debt servicing consumes 18% of projected revenue.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah presented the 2026/27 national budget under the theme 'People, Productivity and Prudence' amid a sluggish global economy, with Namibia's growth revised down to 2.9% for 2025 and projected at 3.1% for 2026. The budget faces revenue constraints from weak diamond receipts and lower customs union revenues, while expenditure exceeds revenue, with development spending declining notably as externally funded projects dry up.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
As Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah tables the national budget, analysts warn that rising debt-to-GDP ratios and constrained fiscal space pose sustainability challenges, while economists call for policy clarity, strategic investment in education and infrastructure, and balanced spending to address unemployment and weak growth.
26 February 2026 · New Era →
Economists warn that weaker-than-expected revenue collections will limit government spending and create difficult policy trade-offs, with limited fiscal space and elevated expenditure demands requiring disciplined management to keep the deficit within preferred levels. The upcoming budget is expected to clarify fiscal policy direction and investment frameworks while balancing revenue performance with expenditure commitments through improved resource prioritisation and efficiency.
22 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Economic Association of Namibia convened a public discussion on the upcoming National Budget, with economists emphasizing the need for growth to become more inclusive and highlighting the oil and gas sector's role in addressing unemployment and inequality. Panellists discussed tax incentives for venture capital and public-private partnerships as mechanisms to unlock investment and support entrepreneurship.
20 February 2026 · New Era →
The Bank of Namibia is scheduled to announce its repo rate decision today, with most economists expecting it to hold the rate at 6.50% to maintain the 25 basis point differential with South Africa and support currency stability amid low inflation and weak economic growth. Some analysts argue there is room for a cut given inflation below 3%, healthy foreign exchange reserves, and subdued credit extension, though others warn that cutting risks capital outflow and higher household debt.
18 February 2026 · New Era →
Standard Bank Namibia has appointed Helena Mboti as group economist. Mboti brings a decade of experience in central and commercial banking, including roles at the central bank in research and financial stability, and at FirstRand Namibia Group, where she conducted macroeconomic analysis and policy interpretation.
10 February 2026 · New Era →
Standard Bank Namibia has appointed Helena Mboti as its new group economist. Mboti brings over a decade of experience from the Central Bank of Namibia and FirstRand Namibia Group, and will lead the bank's economic research agenda.
8 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Venus oil and gas project is expected to produce first oil around 2030, but the government won't receive significant revenue until five years later due to the company's need to recover initial investment costs of US$15 billion. The environmental and social impact assessment estimates total government revenue of N$127–229 billion over a 25-year project timeframe, with petroleum income tax at 35% only kicking in after upfront costs are recouped.
28 January 2026 · The Namibian →