Also known as: IPPR
Namibian think tank that publishes research on economic forecasts, corruption risks, and public policy transparency issues.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Institute for Public Policy Research
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said Namibia continues to fall short of international standards for budget transparency
“"Namibia continues to fall short of international standards for budget transparency, public participation and oversight," the IPPR said yesterday.”
Budget plans are easier than delivery – ShafudahInformanté
Institute for Public Policy Research compiled the Namibia Quarterly Economic Review for July to September 2026
“The QER for July to September 2026, compiled by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), shows that the economy grew by 4.8% in the second quarter of 2026, marking the 21st consecutive quarterly increase since the recovery began in the first quarter of 2021.”
Namibia’s growth outlook revised down as inflation risesThe Namibian
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) says procurement regulations increase risks of political pressure, patronage, and collusion
“The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) says procurement regulations released in early August increase the risks of political pressure, patronage and collusion in public procurement.”
IPPR warns procurement rules raise corruption risksThe Namibian
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has called on the government to end the 'secrecy' in the fishing industry
“The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has called on the government to end the 'secrecy' in the fishing industry, stressing the need to make public the details of fishing rights and quota-holders, including beneficial ownership information.”
Call on Govt to end secrecy in fishing sectorThe Namibian
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) criticised the Government Employment Redress Programme for failing to deliver meaningful employment
“This admission comes after the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) criticised the programme, saying the initiative has failed to deliver meaningful employment for fisheries workers affected by job losses linked to the Fishrot corruption scandal.”
Govt admits to 912 idle fishermenWindhoek Observer
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) advocates that parliament adopt creative legislative process approaches including extended working hours
“We agree with the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) that parliament needs to come up with creative and more effective approaches to legislative processes such as extending the working hours and days to tackle the backlog of bills”
The backlog of bills: A constitutional test for Namibia’s eighth parliamentThe Namibian
Institute for Public Policy Research documented in 2024 experiences of former fisheries workers struggling financially
“In 2024, an Institute for Public Policy Research study documented the experiences of former fisheries workers who said they continued to struggle financially after losing their jobs.”
Fishrot victims seek justice in IcelandThe Namibian
Institute for Public Policy Research commissioned report on LGBTQI+ rights in Namibia
“Commissioned by the Institute for Public Policy Research and written by independent human rights practitioner Abigail Solomons, 'Not Yet Uhuru – Gender and LGBT Rights in Namibia: Opportunities, Gaps and Challenges' was launched last month.”
New report considers LGBTQI+ rights after landmark rulingsWindhoek Observer
IPPR called for urgent reforms to strengthen media sustainability and press freedom in Namibia
“The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has called for urgent reforms to strengthen media sustainability and press freedom in Namibia.”
Media sustainability at risk — IPPRThe Namibian
Institute for Public Policy Research made a submission to the ministry on the bill's shortcomings
“For more information about the bill's shortcomings, see the submission made to the ministry by the Institute for Public Policy Research at ippr.org.na.”
Problems With the Cybercrime BillNamibia's goal to become a major green hydrogen exporter faces a longer path to commercial viability as oil exploration accelerates, with companies like TotalEnergies and Equinor advancing petroleum projects while large-scale hydrogen initiatives struggle to secure financing and buyers, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's goal to become a major green hydrogen exporter faces a longer path to commercial viability as oil exploration accelerates, with companies like TotalEnergies and Equinor advancing petroleum projects while large-scale hydrogen initiatives struggle to secure financing and buyers, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Civil society groups say Bryan Eiseb, the new head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, must transform the institution into a "real and powerful" organisation and restore public confidence in the government's commitment to fighting corruption. The commission has been criticised for failing to lead anti-corruption efforts, promote transparency, build law enforcement against corruption, and protect whistleblowers, particularly in public procurement.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said that implementing the budget is the most "problematic" phase of the budget cycle, noting that allocating money to plans is easier than executing them. She cited infrastructure spending, where around N$8.5 billion was allocated for the development budget, and called for at least 50% execution rates from ministries and agencies.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Residents of Sande informal settlement in Lüderitz say communal toilets have become unusable, forcing them to use a nearby mountain instead. Local leaders have called on the town council to intervene, citing health and dignity concerns.
10 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's economic growth outlook for 2026 has been revised down to 2.1% as rising inflation and higher interest rates pressured the economy, according to the Namibia Quarterly Economic Review compiled by the Institute for Public Policy Research. The downward revision follows weaker-than-expected growth of 1.7% in 2025, attributed to declining diamond and gold output.
7 October 2026 · Informanté →
The Institute for Public Policy Research says procurement regulations gazetted in August increase thresholds for discretionary spending and allow high-value public entities like the National Petroleum Corporation to contract works projects worth up to N$500 million without Central Procurement Board oversight, raising risks of political pressure, patronage and collusion in an already non-transparent system.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Keetmanshoop and ||Kharas leaders say the Neckartal Dam project has not delivered expected agricultural opportunities and economic development, with the municipality citing insufficient water supply from existing sources to meet growing demand and exploring alternative water sources including groundwater studies.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
A fisheries management scientist argues that Namibia should increase transparency in how fishing quotas and rights are allocated, noting that while applicants must provide extensive business information to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, there is limited visibility into how that information is used to determine allocations.
6 October 2026 · Informanté →
Families living and working near Rosh Pinah Zinc mine are struggling with lead exposure and health effects; one father's toddler tested at 17.8 micrograms per 100ml of blood, while the father himself tested at 18 micrograms per 100ml and reports memory problems and skin scarring he attributes to lead poisoning.
1 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy says its 90% local employment target is a flexible goal subject to skills assessments, not a firm commitment. The company is conducting a skills audit to determine whether Namibia has enough skilled workers to meet the target.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia cancelled a N$127 million tender for veterinary cordon fences along the South Africa border and awarded the contract via emergency procurement to a company that had failed in the competitive bidding process, raising concerns about transparency and procurement integrity.
9 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Institute for Public Policy Research has urged the government to publish details of fishing rights and quota holders, including beneficial ownership information, and to amend the Marine Resources Act to reduce ministerial discretion over quota allocations. IPPR executive director Graham Hopwood warned that delaying reform could allow corruption to become further embedded in the sector.
7 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Presidency has designated the Upstream Petroleum Unit as the regulator of upstream petroleum local content, following Cabinet approval of a new local content policy on 4 August. This represents a shift from an earlier version that gave regulatory powers to the Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy, a change that has drawn parliamentary concerns about reduced oversight of the natural resource sector.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila attributes parliament's delays in passing laws to parliamentary rules set by the assembly itself, not to her office. She said the rules prescribe the order and procedures for considering matters, including daily notices, questions, and reports that are placed before the legislative agenda.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has admitted that 912 beneficiaries under the Government Employment Redress Programme are not actively employed, out of 2,255 total beneficiaries, following criticism from the Institute for Public Policy Research that the programme has failed to deliver meaningful employment for fisheries workers affected by the Fishrot corruption scandal.
1 August 2026 · The Namibian →
An analysis argues that parliament's ability to process legislation is a key indicator of constitutional health and institutional capacity, with the eighth parliament facing pressure to enact reforms on economic growth, public administration, and service delivery.
31 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independent Patriots for Change support calls by the Institute for Public Policy Research to extend Parliament's sitting hours and days to address the backlog of bills, while the National Democratic Party rejects the proposal. IPC previously tabled a motion to have the National Assembly sit Monday to Friday, which was rejected by Swapo, and argues that systemic parliamentary changes beyond just extended hours are needed.
30 July 2026 · New Era →
Civil society and MPs have called for the National Assembly to extend its sitting hours from 14h30 to 17h45 to properly debate and pass laws. Institute for Public Policy Research director Graham Hopwood said parliament currently works about 90 days a year and warned that deadlocks in passing laws will be an early warning sign for Namibia's political future.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
More than 1,000 former Namibian fisheries workers have asked Icelandic prosecutors to recognise them as victims in criminal proceedings linked to the Fishrot corruption scandal involving Icelandic fishing company Samherji. The workers argue they suffered direct harm from alleged corrupt conduct between 2012 and 2019, including job losses, food and housing insecurity, school fee difficulties, debt accumulation, and psychological stress.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A report commissioned by the Institute for Public Policy Research and titled 'Not Yet Uhuru – Gender and LGBT Rights in Namibia: Opportunities, Gaps and Challenges' examines the ongoing struggle to recognise the constitutional and human rights of Namibia's LGBTQI+ community following recent landmark court cases.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The government is considering spending up to N$3 billion to buy a stake in De Beers, reportedly partnering with Angola and Botswana, which already hold 15% of the diamond company. The deal follows Anglo American's decision to exit De Beers and sell its 85% stake, with De Beers' valuation dropping significantly from N$65.7 billion to N$6.9 billion.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Mathews Hamutenya has denied having political connections to State House or involvement in the government's decision to appoint Vitol as Namibia's sole fuel supplier, though his son recently bought 52 service stations and Hamutenya is a partner in a storage facility with Vitol. The Independent Patriots for Change have linked Hamutenya to what they describe as a "conglomerate at the centre of Namibia's petroleum oil takeover."
2 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Institute for Public Policy Research has warned that financial pressure and digital disruption are weakening Namibia's media sector, calling for funding models such as grants, public interest funds, and tax incentives to sustain quality reporting, as well as transparent advertising policies from government and state-owned enterprises.
5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Six years after the Fishrot scandal, Namibia's fisheries sector remains governed by excessive secrecy with no publicly accessible register of fishing rights holders, quota allocations, or beneficial owners. The same structural weaknesses that enabled the fraud—concentrated discretionary powers, opaque allocation processes, and 'paper quota holders' profiting without investment—remain largely intact, requiring political will to implement transparency reforms.
26 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The final draft of Namibia's cybercrime bill contains multiple shortcomings including undefined terms around computer viruses, cyberbullying, and obscene images that could lead to unconstitutional restrictions on free speech and inadequate victim protection. The author argues the bill should be improved before parliamentary submission, citing concerns that key provisions lack clarity, may inhibit online speech, and could create practical enforcement problems.
21 April 2026 · The Namibian →
On Swapo's 66th anniversary, party leader Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that while the party's liberation struggle history is important, it alone cannot carry the party forward as people now expect tangible improvements in jobs, housing, healthcare, and education. Political analysts noted Swapo's waning electoral support over recent elections due to corruption and declining leadership quality, though the party remains the country's strongest with functional regional structures.
21 April 2026 · New Era →
The Institute for Public Policy Research has criticized the government's decision to bypass the Central Procurement Board on N$350 million in projects, arguing it creates risks of corruption and waste. The government has directly awarded contracts including a N$140-million sports stadium project to the Roads Contractor Company and other projects to August 26 without public tendering, a practice that lacks transparency and limits competition for local businesses.
12 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Civil society organisations have accused the government of lack of transparency on oil and gas information access, with various agencies declining to provide petroleum licence details and citing organisational restructuring. Multiple officials and institutions have refused to respond to inquiries, prompting warnings that withholding critical sector information undermines public trust and the right to know.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce eight new deputy ministers and appoint deputy defence minister Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency. The move comes despite her earlier decision to cut ministries and reduce Cabinet size, with critics and analysts warning that some merged ministries may now be too large to function effectively.
5 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's 2026/27 budget reflects finance minister Ericah Shafudah's fiscal caution as the country awaits a final investment decision on TotalEnergies' Venus oil project, expected mid-2026. Economist Robin Sherbourne described the budget as a "holding operation" in a constrained economic outlook, though he warned that reduced development spending may limit growth despite the budget's focus on "People, Productivity and Prudence."
23 March 2026 · The Namibian →