Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Organization

Institute for Public Policy Research

Also known as: IPPR

Namibian policy research organization advocating for transparency and governance reform in procurement, oil/gas sector, and extractive industries.

Politics

Minister halts information commissioner recruitment for stakeholder consultation

The News

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 →

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 →

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