Bank Windhoek Managing Director James Chapmansaid the opening marksanother step in the bank's efforts to expand accessible and innovative financial services across Namibia
Source
“Bank Windhoek Managing Director James Chapman said the opening marks another step in the bank's efforts to expand accessible and innovative financial services across Namibia, adding that the institution remains committed to supporting communities with improved service delivery.”
Managing director James Chapmansaysthe bank was first in Namibia to introduce cellphone banking in 2006
Source
“In 2006, we were the first bank in Namibia to introduce cellphone banking and that fundamentally changed how our customers and the market are now transacting.”
Bank Windhoek has processed the first batch of government grant payments through Namibia's national instant payment network, with beneficiaries under the marginalised beneficiaries category receiving grants in near real time. The development positions Namibia among early adopters of unified payment interface-enabled technology outside India.
Why it matters
Bank Windhoek's processing of government grant payments through instant payment system positions Namibia among early global adopters of the technology.
Bank Windhoek has processed the first batch of government grant payments through Namibia's national instant payment network, with beneficiaries under the marginalised beneficiaries category receiving grants in near real time. The development positions Namibia among early adopters of unified payment interface-enabled technology outside India.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officially opened Goreangab Mall in Windhoek, where Bank Windhoek opened a Digital Banking Hub as an extension of its Katutura Branch. The hub provides in-person and self-service banking to residents of Goreangab, Katutura and surrounding areas.
Bank Windhoek officially opened a Digital Banking Hub at Goreangab Mall, extending banking access to residents of Goreangab, Katutura and surrounding areas. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, and Khomas Governor Sam Nujoma attended the mall's inauguration on 5 June 2026, where the hub was described as part of economic transformation and increased investment in historically underserved communities.
Bank Windhoek has launched a WhatsApp banking service that allows customers to conduct transactions and access services through the messaging platform. The move reflects the bank's commitment to innovation and meeting customers where they communicate, building on its introduction of cellphone banking in 2006.
The Capricorn Foundation and Bank Windhoek have launched the 2026/2027 Emerging Bankers Programme, which provides 13 young Namibians with 18 months of workplace exposure, certified training and mentoring, funded with N$3.24 million. The programme, which started in 2024, targets school leavers from small towns and remote areas lacking access to tertiary education and aims to address youth unemployment in the financial services sector.
Bank Windhoek has joined the first cohort of institutions testing government-to-person (G2P) payments under Namibia's national instant payment programme, initially piloting digital social grant disbursements with beneficiaries already familiar with digital channels before a nationwide rollout.
Bank Windhoek has begun piloting government-to-person digital payments for social grants through the national instant payment programme. The initial phase involves pension and grant beneficiaries already familiar with digital channels, with the aim of validating system stability and efficiency before national rollout.