… Last week, finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi announced taxpayers have spent N$8,4 billion over the past 10 years to rescue the airline from unmitigated bankruptcy. …
Air Namibia: It's Now or NeverNamibia Minute.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Person
Iipumbu Shiimi
Also known as: erstwhile finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi · Minister of finance and public enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi · Shiiimi · finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi
Chairperson of Parliament's Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning, overseeing regional project implementation and accountability.
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- February 2021
- April 2020
New finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi has developed a reputation of shunning the perks of power and being a competent technocrat. …
Shiimi’s road to treasury
Business
Namibia completes repayment of N$3.9 billion IMF emergency loan
The News
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.
Why it matters
Completion of N$3.9 billion IMF loan repayment marks a major economic milestone for Namibia's post-Covid recovery.
2 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 2 May
Namibia completes repayment of N$3.9 billion IMF emergency loan
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.
2 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 8 April
New deputy minister posts draw criticism over budget costs
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.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 25 March
At least 91 MPs declare assets and business interests
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.
25 March 2026 · New Era →
Tuesday 17 March
Oshikoto governor denies political bias in Independence Day speaker selection
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.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 16 March
Oshikoto Independence Day speakers defended as national, not partisan
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.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 16 February
TransNamib suspends two executives over property contract irregularities
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.
16 February 2026 · New Era →
Wednesday 4 February
Parliamentary committee flags slow project execution in ||Kharas region
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.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 2 February
Parliament's economy committee inspects regional projects
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.
2 February 2026 · New Era →
Wednesday 21 January
Traditional leaders serve rural areas from Windhoek despite legal residency rules
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.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →