Thursday, 23 July 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—

Namibian press · Person

Kaire Mbuende

Also known as: Dr. Kaire Mbuende · National Planning Commission Director General Kaire Mbuende · Ambassador Dr. Kaire Mbuende · director general Kaire Mbuende · Dr Kaire Mbuende · Dr Ambassador Kaire Mbuende

Director general of the National Planning Commission, addressing development funding, green hydrogen projects, and nuclear power strategy.

2023-05-242026-07-23

What’s been said

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

December 2025
15 DecThe Namibian
Kaire Mbuende added fragmentation makes it difficult for government to make informed policy decisions
Source
“Mbuende added that this fragmentation makes it difficult for the government to make informed policy decisions.”
NPC director general admits government cannot track jobs created
November 2025
29 NovThe Namibian
Director general Kaire Mbuende leads National Planning Commission
Source
“The National Planning Commission under director general Kaire Mbuende can coordinate the reporting.”
From Promises to Progress: A Digital Solution for Government Accountability in Namibia
May 2023
24 MayThe Namibian
Kaire Mbuende is described as seasoned diplomat and international relations expert
Source
“Seasoned diplomat and international relations expert Kaire Mbuende shares his insights on this milestone with Desert Radio.”
Seasoned diplomat and international relations expert Kaire Mbuende
24 MayThe Namibian
Kaire Mbuende shared insights on the African Union milestone with Desert Radio
Source
“Seasoned diplomat and international relations expert Kaire Mbuende shares his insights on this milestone with Desert Radio.”
Seasoned diplomat and international relations expert Kaire Mbuende

Politics

Slower growth and lower revenue restrict development funding

The News

National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuende says slower-than-expected economic growth and lower government revenue have reduced funding available for development projects across Namibia. He told local authority heads at an Oshakati engagement that revenue fell short due to weaker economic performance and delayed oil and gas projects, and that ministries—not the NPC—decide how to distribute allocated funds to regions and towns.

22 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Slower growth and lower revenue restrict development funding
National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuende says slower-than-expected economic growth and lower government revenue have reduced funding available for development projects across Namibia. He told local authority heads at an Oshakati engagement that revenue fell short due to weaker economic performance and delayed oil and gas projects, and that ministries—not the NPC—decide how to distribute allocated funds to regions and towns.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 July

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 →

Monday 20 July

Namibia lags on sanitation target within Sustainable Development Goals
Namibia is falling behind on the sixth Sustainable Development Goal, which aims to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030. According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, about 40% of households lack adequate sanitation, with the situation worse in marginalised communities where nearly seven out of every ten households do not have a toilet.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 July

Brazil pledges N$1.9 million to expand food security programme
Brazil's ambassador announced a N$1.9 million contribution to the World Food Programme and plans to expand a programme from supporting 300 families to 3 000 families, emphasizing building stronger food systems and helping communities become self-reliant instead of dependent on food aid.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 July

President tours NDF brigade, emphasises discipline and professionalism
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the 21 Motorised Infantry Brigade in Windhoek and emphasised discipline as the cornerstone of military professionalism, while calling for coordinated response to substance abuse within the Namibian Defence Force. She reminded troops of their responsibility to protect the Central Region, including the capital city and key institutions.
8 July 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 2 July

Stadium consultant fee far exceeds government budget
A consultant hired to advise on renovating Windhoek's Independence Stadium is set to earn about N$337 million – more than three times the government's budgeted amount – through a 17.5% fee on the estimated N$2 billion project cost, which industry experts say is unusually high.
2 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 29 June

Omuthiya Business Expo receives N$626,026 in pledged funds
The third edition of the Omuthiya Business Expo received pledges totalling N$626,026 at a gala dinner on Saturday. The funds will support the expo scheduled for October, themed "Local by Design; Crafting Competitive SMEs for Tomorrow," aimed at strengthening local economic development and supporting small and medium enterprises.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 27 June

Namibia, China sign N$486 million grant for development
Namibia and China have signed a grant agreement worth RMB 200 million (approximately N$486 million) to support key national development priorities including school infrastructure, healthcare services, and water supply, aligned with Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan.
27 June 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 23 June

Namibia pursues US$250 million climate fund for industrial decarbonisation
The government launched a multilateral development bank mission to finalise a Sectoral Transformation Investment Plan to access up to US$250 million in concessional climate financing under the Climate Investment Funds' Industry Decarbonisation Programme, aiming to support the transition of high-emitting sectors and scale up green industries.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 3 June

Namibia pursues green hydrogen projects despite legal framework gaps
The National Planning Commission director general said Namibia is ready to move from planning to implementation of green hydrogen projects, despite the absence of dedicated legislation. The government aims to create 30,000 green jobs by 2030 and position Namibia as a low-carbon industry platform for southern Africa.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 30 April

President orders government institutions to budget for internships
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has directed all government institutions to budget for internships and apprenticeships to address graduate unemployment. While the directive is practical, the article questions its timing, noting that many institutions have already completed their annual budgeting and planning cycles.
30 April 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 20 April

Hyphen secures EUR 600,000 for Namibian green hydrogen supplier development
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, partnering with Enertrag and GIZ, will sign a cooperation agreement under the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme to strengthen Namibian supplier capacity in the green hydrogen sector. The initiative, funded by EUR 300,000 from H2UPPP and EUR 300,000 from Hyphen, will implement an Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme to build capability and competitiveness of Namibian enterprises.
20 April 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 15 April

Minister Nekundi presents N$592.9m Works budget for 2026/27
Minister Veikko Nekundi presented the 2026/2027 budget allocation of N$592.972 million for the Department of Works to the National Assembly, with N$499 million for operational costs and N$93.972 million for capital investment. The budget addresses public infrastructure development, government asset management, and maintenance of state facilities across five programmes.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 April

N$166m park upgrades boost tourism and wildlife protection
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has handed over newly built and renovated infrastructure worth N$166 million across Etosha, Hardap and Bwabwata national parks, co-funded by Namibia and Germany. The upgrades include improved entrance gates, comfort stops, duty stations, and anti-poaching infrastructure, aimed at strengthening conservation and enhancing visitor experience.
1 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 31 March

N$166 million park infrastructure upgrades enhance conservation and tourism
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has inaugurated newly constructed and renovated infrastructure across Etosha, Hardap, and Bwabwata National Parks, valued at N$166 million and co-funded by Germany's development bank. The upgrades include enhanced facilities, staff stations, and utilities designed to strengthen wildlife protection and improve visitor experiences.
31 March 2026 · Informanté →
New waste facility at Etosha underscores environmental education importance
The Minister of Environment has inaugurated a Solid Waste Management Facility at Etosha National Park, emphasizing the need for environmental education alongside infrastructure to improve waste management practices. The facility, funded by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, addresses poor waste management at wildlife resorts and will be operated by Rent-A-Drum.
31 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 13 March

Namibia receives 148 green energy project proposals worth N$16.5b
The Namibian government has received 148 project proposals for its Green Hydrogen Programme, representing potential investments of around US$1 billion. Of these, 77 projects align closely with the programme's objectives, covering clean energy, industrial development, infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture, with the initiative aiming to mobilise over US$1 billion in total investment through concessional climate finance and development bank support.
13 March 2026 · New Era →
Etosha to inaugurate wildlife protection and waste facilities
Namibia's environment and tourism ministry will inaugurate new light infrastructure, a solid waste management facility, and Wildlife Protection Service duty stations at Etosha National Park on 28 March. The improvements aim to strengthen ranger patrols against poaching, improve wildlife monitoring, and manage visitor waste to protect animals and the park's natural environment.
13 March 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 7 March

President backs alternative building technology for housing
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for further exploration of alternative housing technologies after inspecting a demonstration house built using Alternative Building Technology (ABT) panels in Okahandja Park. The President directed government officials to explore how the technology could be scaled up to help address Namibia's housing backlog, and commended the Namibian entrepreneurs behind the initiative.
7 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 20 February

EU donates vehicles to boost livestock health in north
The European Union has donated nine vehicles valued at N$10 million to Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture, including eight Land Cruiser bakkies and two mobile veterinary clinics, to strengthen animal health surveillance and disease control in the Northern Communal Areas. The fleet will support efforts to combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease, improve traceability, and help farmers meet export standards.
20 February 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 24 January

Namibia pursues nuclear power through global partnerships and strategy
Namibia is advancing plans to develop nuclear power generation through international partnerships and compliance with global benchmarks, with the National Planning Commission director noting the move aims to diversify the mining sector, reduce electricity imports, and capture greater value from uranium production. The government has approved a National Nuclear Industry Strategy that includes establishing a Nuclear Institute of Namibia and transferring atomic energy administration to the National Planning Commission.
24 January 2026 · The Namibian →