Namibia Minute.
Sunday, 6 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Inge Zaamwani

Also known as: Minister Inge Zaamwani · minister Zaamwani · minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and Land reform Inge Zaamwani · Inge I. Zaamwani · Ms. Inge I. Zaamwani · agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani · agriculture minister Inge Zamwaani · Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani · land reformist Inge Zaamwani

Inge Zaamwani — Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, addressing fishing governance, marine resource protection, and agri-food sector transformation.

2026-01-072026-09-06

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. March 2026
  2. New Era

    Agriculture minister Inge Zamwaani highlighted investments reduced distance rural families travel to access water

    Source

    "These investments have significantly reduced the distance rural families travel to access water and have contributed to improved living conditions. To strengthen water availability for livestock and rural communities, the ministry completed three earth dams in the current financial year, namely Mbone and Hameyi in Kavango West and Oshekaka in Oshana region," agriculture minister Inge Zamwaani highlighted.

    Govt expands rural water supply …94 new boreholes, 137 water units
  3. New Era

    Minister Inge Zaamwani said consultations were aimed at ensuring employers and employees understand obligations

    Source

    Speaking on the sidelines of the engagements, Zaamwani said the consultations were aimed at ensuring both employers and employees understand their respective obligations before new agreements are signed.

    Re-employment of over 200 fired fishermen
  4. New Era

    Zaamwani stressed that companies have been requested to submit signed employee contracts by next week

    Source

    Zaamwani stressed that companies have been requested to submit signed employee contracts by next week, which will then enable government to sign the designation agreements and release the corresponding fishing quotas.

    Re-employment of over 200 fired fishermen
  5. Informanté

    Inge Zaamwani has accepted the role of Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of SASSCAL for two years

    Source

    THE Minister of Agriculture, Inge Zaamwani, has accepted the role of Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) for the next two years.

    Zaamwani vows to strengthen SASSCAL governance and regional impact as new chairperson
  6. Informanté

    Zaamwani vowed to focus tenure on advancing SASSCAL's regional expansion and ensuring Council resolutions translate into measurable outcomes

    Source

    Zaamwani noted that her tenure will focus on advancing SASSCAL's regional expansion agenda, encouraging meaningful dialogue among member states, and ensuring that the Council's resolutions translate into practical and measurable outcomes.

    Zaamwani vows to strengthen SASSCAL governance and regional impact as new chairperson
  7. Informanté

    Minister Inge Zaamwani met with at least four fishing companies to discuss the Government Employment Redress Programme

    Source

    MINISTERS Inge Zaamwani and Fillemon Wise Immanuel of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, and Justice and Labour respectively, have recently met with at least four fishing companies to discuss the Government Employment Redress Programme to reintegrate workers into the fishing industry following recent job losses at Walu Fishing.

    GRN and the fishing sector employers discuss plans to integrate workers
  8. February 2026
  9. Informanté

    Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani said the FMD Task Force and Support Fund launch demonstrates Namibia's resilience and unified response to protect livestock

    Source

    The launch of the FMD Task Force and the FMD Support Fund is essential, given the increased risks posed by regional outbreaks and the changing landscape of livestock production and movement.

    Agriculture Ministry launches FMD Support Fund and Task Force
  10. Informanté

    Inge Zaamwani has acknowledged challenges faced by veterinary graduates unable to practise due to unregistered status

    Source

    THE Minister of Agriculture, Inge Zaamwani, has acknowledged the challenges faced by veterinary graduates who are unable to practise due to their unregistered status with the Namibian Veterinary Council, but emphasised that the ministry has implemented measures to support them.

    Zaamwani outlines interventions to support unregistered veterinary graduates
  11. Informanté

    Inge Zaamwani revealed more than 30 graduates are affected, particularly those who studied outside the country

    Source

    She revealed that more than 30 graduates are affected, particularly those who studied outside the country.

    Zaamwani outlines interventions to support unregistered veterinary graduates
  12. New Era

    Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani stated that strengthened governance, improved financial efficiency, and renewed operational discipline have been key to Meatco's reforms

    Source

    The minister spoke at Meatco's 37th Annual General Members' Meeting at NIPAM on Friday in Windhoek, stating that, from an aerial viewpoint, it is clear that strengthened governance oversight, improved financial efficiency, and renewed operational discipline have been key to the entity's ongoing reforms.

    Meatco’s  AGM  provides certainty,  solidifies  roadmap …minister hails progress made

Friday 4 September

  1. Fisheries minister calls for sustainable seal population solution

    Fisheries Minister Inge Zaamwani has called on stakeholders to work together to address Namibia's growing seal population and its potential impact on fish stocks, urging a balanced, ecosystem-based approach supported by sound science and continuous monitoring to reconcile seal conservation with industry viability.

    4 September 2026 · Informanté

  2. Fisheries Minister calls for expanded onshore processing and transparent quotas

    Fisheries Minister Inge Zaamwani has called for Namibia to expand onshore processing and adopt a more transparent quota allocation system that rewards investment in local factories and jobs. She also urged the industry to align harvesting capacity with biological limits, restrict commercial licenses to vessels with significant Namibian ownership, and ensure local market access to marine resources.

    4 September 2026 · Informanté

  3. Minister calls for urgent action to protect fish stocks

    Fisheries Minister Inge Zaamwani has highlighted the importance of maintaining the health of the fishing sector, noting that while some fish stocks remain healthy, others are under significant pressure and require immediate attention. She emphasised that protecting the country's marine resources is essential to ensuring a prosperous fishing industry in the future.

    4 September 2026 · Informanté

  4. Fisheries minister demands action over talk at indaba

    At the opening of a three-day National Fisheries Indaba in Walvis Bay, agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani called for practical reform and accountability rather than further discussion of industry challenges, urging stakeholders to produce concrete outcomes.

    4 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  5. Fisheries minister calls for sector governance reassessment

    At the National Fisheries Indaba 2026 in Walvis Bay, Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani urged fisheries stakeholders to critically examine how the industry is governed, including who receives access to the national resource, on what basis, and with what transparency and accountability, while assessing impacts on jobs, incomes, value addition, and community benefits.

    4 September 2026 · Informanté

Thursday 3 September

  1. Agriculture minister appeals Sandpiper phosphate environmental clearance

    Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has appealed against the environmental commissioner's decision to grant an environmental clearance certificate to Namibian Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project, appealing against the decision in its entirety and all conditions in the certificate.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 2 September

  1. N$4 billion salmon project expected to create 5,000 jobs

    The Africa Aquaculture Company plans a N$4 billion Atlantic salmon production operation in Lüderitz targeting 51,000 tonnes annually and expecting to generate around 5,000 employment opportunities. The Namibia Industrial Development Agency has acquired a 40% equity stake, and the company aims to begin operations within 60 to 90 days pending completion of administrative requirements.

    2 September 2026 · Informanté

Saturday 22 August

  1. Outapi Water Treatment Plant upgrade reaches 60% completion

    The construction of the upgraded Outapi Water Treatment Plant has reached 60% completion and is expected to be finished by June next year. The new facility will have a capacity of 490 cubic metres per hour, almost five times the original plant's capacity, and will significantly improve water supply to residents in the area.

    22 August 2026 · Informanté

Friday 21 August

  1. Minister assesses Oshakati abattoir operations and challenges

    The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform visited the Oshakati abattoir to assess its current status, understand operational challenges, and explore government interventions to ensure the facility becomes fully operational.

    21 August 2026 · Informanté

  2. Outapi Abattoir 90% complete, awaits Ongwediva facility

    The Outapi Abattoir is about 90% complete but will not become operational until the Ongwediva meat processing facility is fully operational and at full capacity, Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani said during a visit to Omusati Region. The abattoir forms part of an integrated meat value chain that includes quarantine facilities and abattoirs intended to supply the Ongwediva facility.

    21 August 2026 · Informanté

Sunday 16 August

  1. Editorial: Namibia needs clear seabed phosphate mining policy

    The Namibian editorial commends President Nandi-Ndaitwah for opposing seabed phosphate mining but criticizes the lack of clear policy, after environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti granted Namibian Marine Phosphate an environmental clearance certificate despite more than a decade of unresolved controversy.

    16 August 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 13 August

  1. Fisheries minister declares zero tolerance for fishing rights corruption

    Fisheries and marine resources minister Inge Zaamwani declared zero tolerance for corruption in the management of Namibia's marine resources at a Corruption Risk Assessment Workshop in Walvis Bay, stating that allocation of fishing rights and quotas must be guided by legality, fairness, transparency, and accountability rather than personal interests or favouritism.

    13 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Saturday 8 August

  1. Livestock exports surge: cattle up 47%, sheep up 58%

    Live cattle exports increased by 47.4% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, while live sheep exports rose by 58.1% year on year, the Minister of Agriculture announced at the Aminuis Annual Agricultural and Industrial Show in Omaheke Region.

    8 August 2026 · Informanté

Friday 7 August

  1. Namibian Agriculture Minister calls for livestock value addition

    Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani has urged farmers in Aminuis and the Omaheke Region to move beyond primary livestock production and embrace value addition, stating that Namibia's agricultural growth depends on producers capturing more economic benefits along the livestock value chain and creating jobs and businesses in rural communities.

    7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Monday 3 August

  1. Meatco stays profitable despite cattle throughput decline of 53%

    The Agriculture Minister said Meatco remained profitable despite droughts and low cattle availability, with throughput south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence declining by 53% to 35,594 cattle. Revenue fell from N$1.865 billion to N$1.108 billion, but the company strengthened its financial position, increased cash reserves, and reduced accumulated losses.

    3 August 2026 · Informanté

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Ikaba fishing area in Zambezi Region declared fisheries reserve

    The government has declared the Ikaba fishing area in the Kabulabula conservancy a fisheries reserve to protect and sustainably manage inland fish resources in Namibia's Zambezi Region, following an initiative by the Zambezi Regional Council and the Bukalo Traditional Authority.

    29 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Namibia works to implement agri-food sector transformation strategy

    Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani announced efforts to convert the Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector (STAS) into a comprehensive programme with defined priorities and investment packages. The minister aims to produce a draft programming framework within the next few months, with implementation-ready plans expected by October 2026.

    28 July 2026 · Informanté

  2. Namibia calls on donors to support agri-food sector transformation

    The government has urged development partners to align financial and technical support with the country's Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector, emphasising that implementation delays could undermine food security and job creation goals. Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani stated the country is entering a critical implementation phase requiring coordinated investment and that transformation cannot be achieved by government alone.

    28 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Friday 24 July

  1. Government defends N$39.5m US agriculture AI contract amid scrutiny

    Namibia's government awarded a N$39.5 million contract to US company 6th Grain Corporation to use satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to monitor staple crops and improve food security, but analysts are calling for greater transparency, safeguards, and local participation in the one-year agreement.

    24 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  2. Minister Zaamwani criticises inflated government infrastructure procurement prices

    Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani has criticised public officials responsible for government procurement, stating that prices charged to government for construction and installation work are often four to five times higher than those offered to private sector and individuals. She questioned the transparency of the government price book used to justify the inflated costs.

    24 July 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 21 July

  1. President visits China, signs nine cooperation agreements

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah completed a seven-day state visit to China aimed at persuading the country to help Namibia build manufacturing and processing industries rather than exporting raw minerals. The visit culminated in nine cooperation instruments and elevation of bilateral ties to a Namibia-China Community with a shared future, focusing on long-term development and strategic cooperation.

    21 July 2026 · New Era

Friday 17 July

  1. NamWater begins N$219.7 million pipeline replacement project

    NamWater has started construction of the Naute–Keetmanshoop Water Pipeline Replacement Project, valued at N$219,697,642.12 inclusive of VAT and fully funded by the corporation. The existing pipeline has been in service since 1972.

    17 July 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Namibia and China sign grape export protocol

    Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture and China's General Administration of Customs have signed a Protocol establishing phytosanitary requirements for fresh Namibian table grapes to access the Chinese market, with provisions for orchard registration, pest management, facility approval, and compliance checks.

    14 July 2026 · Informanté

Sunday 12 July

  1. Namibia invests N$1.5 billion in FMD border fence strategy

    The government is rolling out a N$1.5-billion fencing project in the ||Kharas region to protect Namibia's foot-and-mouth disease-free status as outbreaks spread in South Africa and Botswana. The veterinary fencing aims to strengthen FMD defences, create buffer zones, and protect beef exports to markets like the European Union and China.

    12 July 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 9 July

  1. Namibia seeks technology transfer and local manufacturing in China partnership

    During a state visit to China, Namibia's agriculture minister praised advancements at the Sichuan Agriculture Research Station and said the country wants cooperation to include technology transfer and Chinese companies establishing local assembly plants for agricultural machinery, rather than simply importing equipment.

    9 July 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Agriculture minister denies N$6.2m theft allegations at Amta

    Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has dismissed claims that N$6.2 million was stolen from the Agro Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta), characterizing the allegations as inaccurate.

    8 July 2026 · Namibian Sun

Thursday 2 July

  1. PDM MP demands clarity on Northern Communal Areas equalisation fund

    PDM Member of Parliament Inna Hengari has raised concerns about the implementation and accountability of the Northern Communal Areas Price Equalisation Fund for farmers, calling for clear timelines, oversight mechanisms and structural safeguards. She submitted formal questions to the minister of agriculture on Wednesday regarding long-standing inequalities affecting northern farmers, including lower cattle prices and limited market access.

    2 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Wednesday 1 July

  1. Namibia launches revised National Resettlement Policy 2023–2033

    Government has launched a revised National Resettlement Policy (2023–2033) that strengthens land tenure security and expands support systems for beneficiaries. The policy allows resettlement beneficiaries to move from leasehold to freehold ownership once they meet specified conditions, improving tenure security and enabling land rights to be used as collateral for credit.

    1 July 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 30 June

  1. Fishing industry warns of 50% bycatch levy hike

    Namibia's fishing industry has cautioned that the government's proposal to increase the bycatch levy from 15% to 50% could threaten company viability and lead to job losses and vessel shutdowns. The Namibian Hake Association warns the measure, combined with stricter bycatch thresholds and forfeiture provisions, would be punitive rather than corrective, and says the industry was not meaningfully consulted before the proposal reached Cabinet.

    30 June 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 29 June

  1. Fisheries minister raises bycatch penalty levy to 50%

    Namibia's agriculture minister has implemented a Cabinet decision to increase the penalty levy on bycatch from 15% to 50%, citing alarming increases in bycatch volumes and threats to marine biodiversity. The ministry convened stakeholder consultations in response to some fisheries recording increases of more than 200% in bycatch over the past decades.

    29 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Inge Zaamwani — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute