Namibia Minute.
Sunday, 6 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Ministry of Finance

Ministry of Finance — government agency overseeing national treasury, public funds, and financial institutions, currently managing youth development lending and payroll systems.

2019-09-252026-09-06

What’s been said

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

  1. June 2026
  2. Informanté

    Ministry of Finance confirmed that reinstated beneficiaries will be entitled to back payments covering the period of suspension

    Source

    The ministry confirmed that reinstated beneficiaries will be entitled to back payments covering the period of suspension.

    More than 15,000 old-age grants suspended over identity verification discrepancies
  3. The Namibian

    Ministry of Finance announced suspension of 15,825 old-age pension beneficiaries in joint statement

    Source

    The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and the Ministry of Finance announced this in a joint statement issued on Wednesday.

    Govt suspends 15 000 unverified pensions
  4. May 2026
  5. The Namibian

    Ministry of Finance had received numerous unsolicited funding proposals from private entities and investors

    Source

    Capelao said the Ministry of Finance had received numerous unsolicited funding proposals from private entities and agents acting on behalf of investors with funds looking for investment in Namibia.

    Investors advised to participate in treasury bill auctions to fund govt projects
  6. Windhoek Observer

    Ministry of Finance received several funding proposals from private entities and agents

    Source

    Ministry of Finance executive director Oscar Capelão said the ministry has recently received several funding proposals from private entities and agents representing investors interested in financing projects in Namibia.

    Govt rejects private unsolicited borrowing proposals
  7. The Namibian

    Ministry of Finance rejected Social Security Commission's request for procurement exemption

    Source

    The Ministry of Finance has rejected the Social Security Commission's (SSC) request for a procurement exemption to fast-track a N$43.8-million fund management system project.

    SSC’s N$43.8m tender exemption hits a wall
  8. Windhoek Observer

    Ministry of Finance was commended for working together on the agreement the debt swap agreement

    Source

    Nujoma commended the Ministry of Finance and the City of Windhoek for working together on the agreement.

    Debt swap opens land for 6 000 houses
  9. April 2026
  10. Informanté

    Ministry of Finance implemented changes through payroll administration via Integrated Financial Management System

    Source

    The Office stressed that the changes were automatically implemented through the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) by the Ministry of Finance's payroll administration, as well as other systems supporting the scheme.

    Government dismisses PSEMAS reapplication claims as false
  11. The Namibian

    Ministry of Finance took over NamPost

    Source

    The clerks are part of the social grant payment programme now administered by NamPost following its takeover by the Ministry of Finance.

    Disgruntled NamPost clerks claim inconsistent pay and unfair labour practices over social grant payments
  12. The Namibian

    Ministry of Finance redesigned and reintroduced the SMEs loan scheme on 6 February 2023

    Source

    The central bank and the Ministry of Finance redesigned and reintroduced the scheme on 6 February 2023, with relaxed criteria to improve accessibility for struggling businesses.

    Bank of Namibia loans N$500 million to SMEs
  13. The Namibian

    Ministry of Finance budgeted potential inflow of N$400 million

    Source

    This is less than what the Ministry of Finance has budgeted as a potential inflow of N$400 million.

    Bank of Namibia reports record N$892m loss

Wednesday 2 September

  1. President directed N$540m school food tender via alternative process

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah directed the education ministry to use alternative procurement for a N$540-million school hostel food tender, with the Namibia Training Authority as lead service provider and other public entities, sparking court action from companies questioning the non-public tendering process.

    2 September 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 20 August

  1. Parliamentarian urges cost-benefit analysis of new asset agency

    A Landless People's Movement parliamentarian has called for the government to conduct a thorough cost-benefit and mandate analysis of the proposed Public Asset Management Agency before implementation, arguing that existing institutions could perform the proposed functions instead and that billions of dollars' worth of redundant public assets could be sold to fund the treasury.

    20 August 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 16 August

  1. IPC critic challenges legitimacy of government assets agency

    The IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula has raised governance and legal concerns over the government's establishment of the Public Assets Management Agency (Pama) as a profit-oriented entity before dedicated legislation governing public assets has been enacted. He argues that state properties should not be handed to a commercially driven entity without full parliamentary scrutiny and explicit legislative boundaries, and warns that interim board appointments could undermine corporate governance and be subject to political control.

    16 August 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 15 August

  1. Namibia's capital-allocation problem versus money shortage

    Namibia's economic debate centres on whether the country has insufficient money, but observers argue it has substantial institutional savings, pension assets, and private wealth that are not being channelled into Namibian-owned productive enterprises. Public debt stood at N$167.2 billion (67.3% of GDP) in 2024/25 and was projected to rise to N$182.9 billion (67.5% of GDP) in 2025/26, while the Government Institutions Pension Fund held approximately N$209 billion in assets as of March 2026, with 47.8% invested locally.

    15 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Friday 14 August

  1. Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy faces technical staffing shortage

    The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy is facing a shortage of technically qualified and skilled personnel that could affect the ministry's ability to implement its programmes in mining, energy and industrial development. The shortage, identified as a key challenge during a National Assembly presentation, comes as the ministry evolves following fiscal consolidation and wage bill reductions.

    14 August 2026 · New Era

  2. N$2bn finance ministry facility boosts Standard Bank loan growth

    SBN Holdings Limited's loan book grew 17.4% to N$29 billion in the six months to June 2026, largely due to a N$2 billion facility extended to the finance ministry for Eurobond redemption; underlying customer loan growth excluding the facility was 9.3%. The group reported a 3.6% increase in profit after tax to N$576.4 million despite lower lending rates.

    14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Only 353 of 13,700 youth fund applications approved so far

    The National Youth Development Fund has received over 13,400 applications since launch but approved only 353 (2.6%) for funding. The Ministry of Finance is overhauling the application process after the low approval rate exposed quality issues in submissions, with approximately 13,120 applications still under assessment.

    11 August 2026 · New Era

Monday 10 August

  1. NSX lists NewWave Silver ETN for Namibian investors

    Namibian investors can now invest in silver through the Namibia Securities Exchange via the NewWave Silver Exchange Traded Note, which allows them to benefit from silver price movements without physically owning silver. NSX chief executive notes that financial regulations have not kept pace with new investment products and need updating.

    10 August 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 7 August

  1. Bank governor urges multi-agency coordination on oil and gas

    The Governor of the Bank of Namibia emphasized that success in the emerging oil and gas industry requires coordination among ministries, regulators, public institutions, financial institutions, energy companies, investors, and educational institutions. He noted that collaboration among regulators is particularly important because risks can spread across institutions and sectors, and that financial institutions must fully understand the sector to participate meaningfully.

    7 August 2026 · Informanté

Thursday 6 August

  1. Government payroll system ends, Entrépo microlender freezes new loans

    Entrépo Finance, a microlender that relied on government payroll deductions for civil servants, has stopped granting new loans after the Ministry of Finance ended its payroll deduction management system in November. The company, 55.5% owned by Capricorn Group, has retrenched close to 20 employees and has not approved a new loan in more than six months, according to sources.

    6 August 2026 · The Namibian

  2. US-Iran conflict drives fuel and food costs in Namibia

    According to The Namibian, escalating conflict between the US and Iran has sent global energy prices soaring and disrupted maritime chokepoints critical to petroleum supply in southern Africa, causing measurable increases in fuel, food, and transport costs that are eroding household incomes across Namibia.

    6 August 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 2 August

  1. Roads Authority raises vehicle licence and permit fees

    The Roads Authority has increased vehicle licence fees by 10% and abnormal load and road carrier permit charges by 20%, drawing criticism from transport operators and road users who say the rises will worsen their financial burden amid rising living costs.

    2 August 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 23 July

  1. NFA calls for Sports Act amendments and national sports levy

    The Namibia Football Association has formally proposed amendments to the Sports Act and the establishment of a dedicated national sports levy of N$5 from employees and employers monthly, arguing that current legislation no longer adequately supports the governance and sustainability of sport in Namibia and that the levy would provide sustainable funding to reduce reliance on government grants.

    23 July 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Namibia declares end of cholera outbreak after 28 days

    Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced that Namibia has met international criteria for ending the cholera outbreak after both Grootfontein and Opuwo health districts completed more than 28 days without a confirmed case. The outbreak, declared on 27 November 2025, resulted in 82 laboratory-confirmed cases out of 282 suspected cases and one death in Opuwo district.

    15 July 2026 · New Era

Saturday 4 July

  1. National MSME Festival 2026 highlights entrepreneurship's role

    The National MSME Festival 2026, hosted by the Ministry of Finance's Financial Literacy Initiative in Windhoek from 24–26 June, brought together MSME owners and entrepreneurs to network, learn, and pitch ventures. The event underscored entrepreneurship's importance in addressing Namibia's 37% unemployment and 44% youth unemployment rates.

    4 July 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 2 July

  1. Government raises N$68.4 million from fish quota auctions

    The government auctioned quota for horse mackerel and hake fish on 22 May, raising N$68.4 million from the sale of 11,037 tonnes and 1,719 tonnes respectively. The auction showed improved prices with no unsold quota, receiving nine bids for horse mackerel and seven for hake.

    2 July 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 30 June

  1. Fishing industry warns of 50% bycatch levy hike

    Namibia's fishing industry has cautioned that the government's proposal to increase the bycatch levy from 15% to 50% could threaten company viability and lead to job losses and vessel shutdowns. The Namibian Hake Association warns the measure, combined with stricter bycatch thresholds and forfeiture provisions, would be punitive rather than corrective, and says the industry was not meaningfully consulted before the proposal reached Cabinet.

    30 June 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 28 June

  1. Health ministry procurement committee blocks N$1b emergency tender

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services' procurement committee has blocked senior officials' proposal to bypass public tender procedures for a N$1-billion medicine purchase, citing concerns that emergency procurement could be abused. The tender was meant to address medicine shortages at public hospitals and clinics.

    28 June 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 25 June

  1. Bryan Eiseb nominated to lead Namibia's Anti-Corruption Commission

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has nominated Bryan Eiseb, currently head of the Financial Intelligence Centre, to lead the Anti-Corruption Commission, with Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare tabling a motion in the National Assembly for parliamentary approval. Eiseb, 55, would succeed Paulus Noa, whose term as director general ends this month.

    25 June 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 21 June

  1. Namibia's lending rules treat homes and cars identically

    The Namibian argues that commercial banks and financial regulators apply a uniform 30–33% debt-to-income affordability cap across all asset classes, treating appreciating homes and depreciating vehicles as equivalent credit risks and thereby blocking creditworthy Namibians from homeownership while enabling unsustainable car purchases.

    21 June 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 20 June

  1. IPC urges public access to beneficial ownership data post-greylist exit

    The Independent Patriots for Change says Namibia must make beneficial ownership information public following the country's removal from the Financial Action Task Force's greylist. Shadow minister Rodney Cloete states that while Namibia corrected gaps in beneficial ownership transparency to exit the greylist, the register remains effectively closed to journalists and the public through the Business and Intellectual Property Authority.

    20 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Namibia removed from FATF grey list following reforms

    Namibia has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list after successfully implementing reforms to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. The country was initially grey-listed in February 2024 with 13 identified deficiencies, which it addressed ahead of a May 2026 deadline.

    20 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Parliamentary committee probes predatory lending to civil servants

    A parliamentary standing committee on economics has heard that low salaries, predatory microlenders, and gaps in the law are driving public servants into crippling debt cycles, with some earning as low as N$3,000 a month while facing exorbitant interest rates. The committee is investigating whether existing laws adequately protect Namibians against lending institutions and reviewing the deduction payroll system that allows loan repayments to be taken directly from civil servants' salaries.

    16 June 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 14 June

  1. ACC investigates Keetmanshoop municipality electricity contract deal

    The Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating the Keetmanshoop Municipality over alleged irregularities in a N$3.4-million service level agreement awarded to JJF Investments and Bellatrix SME Finance for the supply of prepaid electricity meters. The Ministry of Finance also launched an investigation after receiving information alleging non-compliance with the Public Procurement Act.

    14 June 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 11 June

  1. Bank of Namibia convenes Internal Audit Awareness Day gathering

    The Bank of Namibia hosted an Internal Audit Awareness Day bringing together policymakers, auditors, and public sector leaders to discuss the evolving role of internal audit in strengthening governance and accountability. Deputy Governor Nicholas Mukasa highlighted internal audit as an independent assurance function supporting risk management and organisational resilience.

    11 June 2026 · Informanté

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Ministry's terminology shift fails to clarify Dempers role dispute

    The controversy over Uhuru Dempers' position at the National Youth Council has become a broader question of transparency and accountability within the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. While attendance records confirm Dempers attended NYC meetings and exercised influence on behalf of Minister Sanet Steenkamp, the ministry insists he is merely an independent temporary consultant rather than a special advisor, but this terminological distinction does not address underlying concerns about his involvement in strategic meetings and policy discussions.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Finance ministry launches outcome-based budget reform workshop

    Namibia's Ministry of Finance officially launched a budget reform rollout workshop as the government seeks to create outcome-based budget programmes amid growing public debt and narrowing fiscal space. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare stated that the 2026/27 National Budget of N$87.9 billion was tabled against recovering global conditions, but the global environment has since changed due to the ongoing Middle East war; he added that public debt stands at N$174.6 billion (65.2% of GDP) and the government has committed to reducing the fiscal deficit from 5.5% of GDP in 2026/27 to 3.3% by 2028/29.

    9 June 2026 · Informanté

Monday 8 June

  1. N$20 million feasibility study underway to revive Air Namibia

    The Namibian government has budgeted about N$20 million for a feasibility study to revive Air Namibia, which was placed into voluntary liquidation in February 2021 due to debts exceeding N$5 billion. Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi told Parliament that the study has been completed and is under review, conducted by an inter-ministerial team of experts with aviation, legal, and economic expertise.

    8 June 2026 · Informanté

Sunday 7 June

  1. Over 15,000 pensioners lose grants after missing verification

    Over 15,000 Namibian pensioners have had their old-age grants suspended after missing a mandatory government verification process in October. Many pensioners say they were not adequately informed of the callout and are now struggling to meet basic needs.

    7 June 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 6 June

  1. Speaker urges media to portray women leaders more fairly

    Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila called on media institutions to improve coverage of women in leadership positions, saying disproportionate focus on controversy and personal conduct over professional achievements erodes public confidence in women leaders and discourages their participation in public life.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

Ministry of Finance — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute