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Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Institute for Public Policy Research

Also known as: IPPR

Institute for Public Policy Research — policy research organisation that advocates for government transparency, financial accountability, and governance reforms in Namibia.

2023-04-212026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. May 2026

  2. Windhoek Observer

    IPPR called for urgent reforms to strengthen media sustainability and press freedom in Namibia

    Source

    “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 — IPPR
  3. April 2026

  4. The Namibian

    Institute for Public Policy Research made a submission to the ministry on the bill's shortcomings

    Source

    “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 Bill

  5. New Era

    Institute for Public Policy Research employs executive director Graham Hopwood

    Source

    “Another political commentator, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) executive director Graham Hoopwood, noted that Swapo remains the strongest party by some distance and that it is the only political party that appears to have functioning structures at regional and constituency levels across the country.”

    ‘History alone can’t carry Swapo’ … ruling party turns 66

  6. The Namibian

    Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has described government's decision to bypass CPBN as recipe for corruption

    Source

    “The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has described the government's decision to bypass the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) on its latest N$350-million projects as a recipe for corruption.”

    IPPR warns direct Govt tenders risk corruption, waste in N$350‑million projects

  7. The Namibian

    Institute for Public Policy Research executive director Graham Hopwood says reducing ministries was well-intentioned but may have backfired

    Source

    “Institute for Public Policy Research executive director Graham Hopwood says reducing the number of ministries was well intentioned, but may have backfired.”

    President to appoint 8 deputies, Mubita as minister
  8. March 2026

  9. The Namibian

    IPPR says several governance issues need addressing for Namibia to capitalise on oil economy

    Source

    “The Institute for Public Policy Research says several governance issues need to be addressed to put Namibia in a good position to capitalise on an oil economy.”

    Oversight needed to avoid oil resource curse – IPPR

  10. The Namibian

    Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has cautioned against the government's preferential procurement policy unless accompanied by greater transparency

    Source

    “The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has cautioned against the government's preferential procurement policy unless it is accompanied by greater transparency.”

    IPPR says procurement policies are vulnerable to corruption
  11. February 2026

  12. The Namibian

    Institute for Public Policy Research organised presentation of Sherbourne's report on economic scenarios leading up to 2030

    Source

    “He made these remarks on Tuesday while presenting his new report on economic scenarios leading up to 2030, organised by the Institute for Public Policy Research.”

    Economist warns of oil effect on fiscal policy

  13. The Namibian

    Institute for Public Policy Research presented new report on political finance transparency in Namibia

    Source

    “The institute on Thursday presented its new report on political finance transparency in Namibia, which shows that the country is falling behind global standards.”

    Political parties to hit N$1.6-billion jackpot

  14. The Namibian

    Institute for Public Policy Research calls for greater transparency and stronger regulatory system

    Source

    “Against this background, the IPPR report calls for greater transparency and a stronger regulatory system to ensure election outcomes are not affected by external interference.”

    Political parties to hit N$1.6-billion jackpot
Business

Businessman denies political role in Namibia fuel supply deal

The News

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."

Why it matters

New detail on businessman's connections to Vitol fuel deal advances ongoing investigation into conflicts of interest in critical commodity supply.

2 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Businessman denies political role in Namibia fuel supply deal

    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 →

Tuesday 5 May

  1. IPPR calls for reforms to strengthen media sustainability and press freedom

    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 →

Sunday 26 April

  1. Fishrot scandal reveals governance failures in fishing sector

    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 →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Cybercrime bill has serious flaws, experts say

    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 →

  2. Swapo marks 66 years; leaders warn history cannot secure future

    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 →

Sunday 12 April

  1. IPPR warns direct government tenders bypass accountability

    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 →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Government restricted from sharing oil and gas sector information

    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 →

Sunday 5 April

  1. President to appoint eight deputy ministers and new minister

    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 →

Monday 23 March

  1. Budget balances fiscal discipline with oil investment decision

    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 →

Monday 16 March

  1. Green hydrogen project in Namibia raises environmental and heritage concerns

    A proposed hydrogen production facility in Namibia's Tsau ||Khaeb National Park promises jobs and clean energy exports, but conservationists warn it risks harming endangered wildlife like African penguins and unique desert plants, while local activists raise concerns about community engagement and respect for sites of colonial genocide.

    16 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia must strengthen governance before oil revenue flows

    The Institute for Public Policy Research warns that Namibia faces governance risks as it prepares for oil production, citing lack of transparency in petroleum licensing, insufficient beneficial ownership disclosure, and weak local content oversight as key areas needing reform before the expected investment decisions from TotalEnergies and Mopane projects. Addressing these challenges through the Access to Information Act and digital transparency could help Namibia avoid the "resource curse" while ensuring oil revenues benefit communities rather than political elites.

    16 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Namibia's green hydrogen plan raises conservation concerns

    A major hydrogen production facility planned for Tsau ǁKhaeb National Park promises jobs and economic growth but risks damaging endangered wildlife like African penguins and unique desert plants, prompting conservationists to warn of impacts on biodiversity despite Hyphen's commitments to minimise disturbance.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

  1. IPPR warns preferential procurement vulnerable to corruption

    The Institute for Public Policy Research warns that Namibia's preferential procurement policy risks abuse without greater transparency and accountability measures. The IPPR calls for data collection on preference-based contracts and stricter compliance, citing poor submission rates of procurement plans by public entities.

    12 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Minister halts information commissioner recruitment for stakeholder consultation

    Minister Emma Theofelus has halted the recruitment of an information commissioner, citing insufficient stakeholder consultations on the operationalisation of the Access to Information Act. Critics including the IPC and policy experts express concern that the delay is hindering implementation of the transparency law, though budget allocation for 2026/2027 suggests the pause may be temporary.

    10 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 February

  1. Economist warns oil revenues may strain Namibia's fiscal discipline

    Economist Robin Sherbourne cautions that anticipated oil revenues from TotalEnergies' Venus project could enable Namibia to borrow heavily against future earnings, risking unsustainable public spending rather than supporting long-term growth. He urges the finance minister to maintain fiscal restraint as the country awaits a final investment decision on the project.

    25 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Political parties to receive N$1.6 billion state funding over decade

    According to IPPR research, Namibian political parties are projected to receive N$1.6 billion in state funding between 2020 and 2030, an amount the institute describes as disproportionate given the country's unemployment and poverty. The IPPR's report on political finance transparency calls for greater disclosure requirements and stronger regulations to prevent external interference in elections before the next polls.

    25 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. IPPR warns proposed cybercrime bill risks human rights violations

    The Institute for Public Policy Research has submitted concerns to the government that the proposed cybercrime bill, currently undergoing stakeholder consultation, contains provisions that could infringe on privacy, freedom of expression, and expand surveillance beyond constitutional limits. The IPPR warns that the bill's language on digital surveillance, investigator access to electronic data, and the vague concept of "public interest" could negatively affect journalists, IT professionals, researchers, and civil society.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 February

  1. Information commissioner salary set at N$1.4 million annually

    Namibia's incoming information commissioner will earn N$120,000 monthly plus extensive benefits, exceeding the prime minister's estimated salary. The role, created to implement the Access to Information Act and strengthen public procurement transparency, will be filled through a formal recruitment process advertised by parliament.

    16 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 February

  1. Think tank calls for Namibia to join global extractive transparency initiative

    The Institute for Public Policy Research is advocating for Namibia to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), citing the need for greater transparency and accountability in oil, gas, and mineral resource extraction. Namibia has failed to meet EITI standards, which include contract transparency and beneficial ownership disclosure, gaps that hinder public tracking of extraction ventures and create room for corruption concerns.

    12 February 2026 · New Era →

Monday 9 February

  1. Official opposition demands law governing sovereign wealth fund

    Opposition leader Imms Nashinge has called on the government to pass legislation regulating Namibia's sovereign wealth fund, which has been operating for three years without a dedicated legal framework. He asked the Prime Minister for clarity on existing laws governing the fund and pressed for robust provisions ensuring public transparency and parliamentary oversight before the bill's passage.

    9 February 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 7 February

  1. Revised Environmental Act expands ecosystem protection measures

    Namibia's amended Environmental Management Act will extend legal protections to ecosystems like natural springs and habitats previously unprotected, and set standards for noise, smell, water and air quality. The ministry is consulting on proposed sand and gravel mining regulations and has flagged unprecedented illegal sand mining as a major environmental concern, attributing it to weak management, corruption, and insufficient enforcement.

    7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Civil society urges Namibia to join extractive transparency initiative

    The Institute for Public Policy Research has called on Namibia to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a framework requiring disclosure of information on oil, gas and mineral resources throughout the value chain. The EITI was listed as a goal in Namibia's second Harambee Prosperity Plan but was never implemented, though compliance would address current gaps in contract transparency, beneficial ownership disclosure, and revenue reporting.

    7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 29 January

  1. ICT parastatals face three-year budget cuts of three percent annually

    Information Minister Emma Theofelus announced that parastatals under the information ministry will have their subsidies reduced by 3% annually for the next three years, with government expecting them to develop alternative revenue streams and achieve greater financial independence while still meeting public service mandates.

    29 January 2026 · New Era →

Friday 16 January

  1. Youth low turnout reflects disappointment, not apathy, advocate argues

    A youth advocate argues that low voter turnout in recent local and regional council elections reflects accumulated frustration with broken promises and poor service delivery rather than apathy, citing youth unemployment of 44.4% nationally and direct complaints from young people across the country who say leaders ignore their concerns between elections.

    16 January 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 15 January

  1. Uukwambi Traditional Authority begins sand-mining site rehabilitation process

    The Uukwambi Traditional Authority has started rehabilitating sand-mined borrow pits in its jurisdiction, including at Onatshiku village in Oshana region, after residents questioned the delay. The authority must submit detailed rehabilitation plans to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for approval, and is responsible for funding the work, which operators can carry out using their equipment.

    15 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Institute for Public Policy Research — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute