Also known as: erstwhile finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi · Minister of finance and public enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi · Shiiimi · finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning chairperson conducting oversight of regional government project implementation.
Iipumbu Shiimiwas inaugurated asnew headman of Uukwambi Traditional Authority's Ontana village
Source
“Former finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi was inaugurated as the new headman of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority's Ontana village in the Omusati region.”
Iipumbu Shiimideliveredthe 2024/25 national budget in the National Assembly
Source
“The first headline referred to the minister of finance and public enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, who delivered the 2024/25 national budget in the National Assembly, while the Capricorn Group (Bank Windhoek) and FirstRand (FNB) are corporations from the financial sector.”
Finance and public enterprises minister Iipumbu Shiimisays Namibia expectsan upsurge in revenue in the 2024/25 financial year, reaching N$90,4 billion
Source
“FINANCE and public enterprises minister Iipumbu Shiimi says Namibia expects an upsurge in revenue in the 2024/25 financial year, reaching N$90,4 billion thanks to improved receipts from the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu).”
Iipumbu Shiimiconfirmed readiness to issuesovereign guarantee for Namcor to secure funding
Source
“"As provided for in terms of Section 36 of the State Finance Act of 1991, the treasury hereby confirms its readiness to issue a sovereign guarantee for Namcor to secure the required funding to stabilise its operations," Shiimi wrote.”
Minister Iipumbu Shiimiquestionedwhy Namcor accepted N$500,000 monthly repayment from military fuel supplier
Source
“Minister of finance and public enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi has questioned why the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) accepted a monthly repayment of N$500 000 from a military-owned fuel supplier company that received N$60 million in taxpayers' money.”
Finance minister Iipumbu ShiimisaidSDG Namibia One establishment marks key progressive milestone in synthetic fuels sector development
Source
“"This marks yet another key progressive milestone in the development of a local and transformative synthetic fuels sector," finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi said in the statement.”
Minister of finance Iipumbu Shiimideniedreceiving any exemption request for the aircraft fuelling services tender
Source
“Minister of finance Iipumbu Shiimi denied receiving any exemption request for the aircraft fuelling services tender at Eros and Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airports.”
The Micro Lenders Association has rejected claims that it is responsible for trapping Namibians in debt, attributing high debt levels instead to weak savings practices, economic pressures, multiple credit sources, income constraints, and regulatory gaps. The association made its position known in a 15-page letter to parliament's standing committee on economics, which is examining whether the country's laws adequately protect civil servants against microlenders.
The Micro Lenders Association has rejected claims that it is responsible for trapping Namibians in debt, attributing high debt levels instead to weak savings practices, economic pressures, multiple credit sources, income constraints, and regulatory gaps. The association made its position known in a 15-page letter to parliament's standing committee on economics, which is examining whether the country's laws adequately protect civil servants against microlenders.
Parliament's Standing Committee on Economy and Industry held a public hearing to investigate whether existing laws adequately protect borrowers from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders. Committee leaders said household debt is a serious concern among civil servants, some of whom take home very low net pay due to multiple loan deductions from their salaries.
A parliamentary standing committee on economics has heard that low salaries, predatory microlenders, and gaps in the law are driving public servants into crippling debt cycles, with some earning as low as N$3,000 a month while facing exorbitant interest rates. The committee is investigating whether existing laws adequately protect Namibians against lending institutions and reviewing the deduction payroll system that allows loan repayments to be taken directly from civil servants' salaries.
A parliamentary standing committee has launched public hearings on whether existing laws adequately protect citizens from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders, prompted by rising indebtedness among households, particularly civil servants. The inquiry focuses on payday loans, which account for 82% of new loans issued by microlenders, and the payroll deduction system used in the public service, which may encourage excessive borrowing despite Labour Act provisions limiting total deductions to one-third of remuneration.
Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu argues the government should reduce house prices rather than target mortgage repayment periods, which typically range from 20 to 30 years. He says longer loan terms make expensive houses affordable for first-time buyers and borrowers can pay off mortgages early if they choose.
Namibia has fully repaid its N$3.9-billion emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund, with the final payment made on 15 April, closing the Rapid Financing Instrument facility approved in April 2021. The loan was used during the Covid-19 pandemic to stabilise the economy, support vaccine procurement and rollout, and address fiscal pressures from declining export revenues and external account strain.
Political analysts have criticised president Nandi-Ndaitwah's appointment of seven deputy ministers, saying the move will cost the government nearly N$1.7 million annually and reverses earlier cost-saving pledges. Critics including analyst Henning Melber argue the appointments signal inadequate planning and a centralisation of power, while raising concerns about the appointees' ability to effectively balance parliamentary, executive, and regional council duties.
At least 91 parliamentarians have submitted asset and interest declarations as required under parliamentary standing rules, with MPs disclosing shareholdings in telecommunications, banking, and brewing companies, as well as residential and commercial properties across Namibia. Failure to comply with annual declaration requirements constitutes a breach of parliamentary rules and may result in referral to the Committee of Privileges for disciplinary measures including fines or formal reprimands.
Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi denied that keynote speakers for regional Independence Day celebrations were chosen based on political affiliation, saying the selection was a collective decision focused on the region's challenges and service delivery rather than party considerations.
Nahas Angula and regional officials have defended the selection of 11 Swapo members as speakers for Oshikoto's 36th Independence Day event, saying the invitations were issued by the regional council and constituency leadership based on availability and status as leaders, not political affiliation. They acknowledge that Independence Day is a national event open to all Namibians and claim non-Swapo members were also invited, though specifics were not provided.
TransNamib has suspended executives Webster Gonzo (human capital) and Alynsia Platt (properties) following an internal investigation into property contracts allegedly concluded without proper procurement procedures while Gonzo was acting CEO. The suspensions stem from findings in a 2022 Ernst and Young forensic audit that identified numerous irregularities in TransNamib's property management, including inadequate oversight, manipulated lease agreements, and N$700 000 in performance bonuses paid to executives while the company recorded monthly losses.
A parliamentary standing committee has identified poor execution and delays in government-funded projects across the ||Kharas region, with committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi calling for officials to take project implementation more seriously and improve accountability to parliament.
Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning completed an oversight visit to the //Kharas region to monitor capital projects including airport infrastructure, hospital renovations, and the railway line. Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi said Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to track government investments to ensure effective use of public funds and tangible benefits to citizens, though some concerns were raised about slow implementation and official absenteeism.
Several Namibian traditional leaders, including chiefs and headmen, are governing their rural communities while residing in Windhoek, contrary to the Traditional Authorities Act No. 25 of 2000, which requires them to live within their communal areas. They justify this practice by citing the effectiveness of deputies and local committees, though legal scholars note such violations may warrant removal from office.