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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Helena Mboti

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.

2026-01-282026-10-22

News reports

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  1. February 2026
  2. New Era

    Standard Bank's Group economist Helena Mboti outlined how tax incentives for venture capital unlock investment

    Source

    “One of the panellists, Standard Bank's Group economist Helena Mboti, outlined how tax incentives for venture capital unlock investment.”

    Economists caucus key issues for National Budget
  3. New Era

    Economist Helena Mboti said Bank of Namibia made narrowing interest rate gap with South Africa a priority

    Source

    “Economist Helena Mboti said the Bank of Namibia has made it clear that narrowing the interest rate gap with South Africa remains a priority.”

    BoN expected to hold repo rate steady
  4. New Era

    Helena Mboti brings a decade of experience across central and commercial banking

    Source

    “Mboti brings a decade of experience across central and commercial banking, offering a well-rounded, insightful perspective on macroeconomic policy, financial markets, and balance-sheet risk.”

    Mboti appointed Standard Bank’s group economist
  5. New Era

    Mboti held the role of economist within the FirstRand Namibia Group

    Source

    “Mboti has also held the role of economist within the FirstRand Namibia Group across FNB/RMB, Ashburton, and Pointbreak, where she supported group-wide macroeconomic analysis and policy interpretation.”

    Mboti appointed Standard Bank’s group economist
  6. The Namibian

    Helena Mboti brings more than a decade of experience in central and commercial banking

    Source

    “In a media release issued on Friday, the bank said Mboti brings more than a decade of experience spanning both central banking and commercial banking.”

    Standard Bank appoints Helena Mboti as group economist
  7. The Namibian

    Helena Mboti previously worked at the Central Bank of Namibia

    Source

    “According to the statement, Mboti previously worked at the Central Bank of Namibia.”

    Standard Bank appoints Helena Mboti as group economist
  8. The Namibian

    She held economist roles within FirstRand Namibia Group

    Source

    “The media release says she also held economist roles within the FirstRand Namibia Group across FNB/RMB, Ashburton and Pointbreak, where she supported group-wide macroeconomic analysis and policy interpretation.”

    Standard Bank appoints Helena Mboti as group economist
  9. January 2026
  10. The Namibian

    Helena Mboti said government revenues would mainly come from royalties in early years

    Source

    “"In the early years after the final investment decision, government revenues would mainly come from royalties. Although not an immediate windfall, these revenues would still be meaningful relative to Namibia's current fiscal position," Mboti says.”

    Another 10 years before oil generates returns

Friday 16 October

  1. Standard Bank projects Namibia inflation at 5.2% by 2027

    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 →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. Standard Bank raises Namibia 2026 growth forecast to 2.2–2.9%

    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 →

Sunday 20 September

  1. Namibia faces highest inflation rise since February 2024

    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 →

Tuesday 15 September

  1. Namibian inflation accelerates to 5% amid fuel and food pressures

    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 →

Tuesday 31 March

  1. Economists warn government fuel subsidy unsustainable

    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 →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Private sector credit growth slows to 4.2% in January

    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 →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. N$104 billion budget tilts toward wages and interest over growth

    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 →

  2. Finance Minister Shafudah tables 2026/27 budget as growth weakens

    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 →

Thursday 26 February

  1. Finance Minister presents 2026/27 budget amid fiscal constraints

    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 →

Sunday 22 February

  1. Namibia's 2026/27 budget faces tightening fiscal constraints

    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 →

Friday 20 February

  1. Economists discuss inclusive growth, oil sector for 2026/27 budget

    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 →

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Bank of Namibia expected to hold repo rate steady

    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 →

Tuesday 10 February

  1. Helena Mboti appointed Standard Bank Namibia group economist

    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 →

Sunday 8 February

  1. Standard Bank appoints Helena Mboti as group economist

    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 →

Wednesday 28 January

  1. Venus oil project unlikely to generate government revenue until 2035

    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 →

Helena Mboti — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute