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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority

Also known as: Namfisa

Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority — regulatory body overseeing non-bank financial sector, pension funds, and investment firms, enforcing the Financial Institutions and Markets Act.

2023-05-062026-09-06
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What’s been said

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

  1. January 2026

  2. New Era

    Namfisa warned the public to only use registered microlenders for short-term loans

    Source

    “The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has warned the public to only use registered microlenders when seeking short-term loans and related financial services.”

    Namfisa warns public against unregistered microlenders

  3. The Namibian

    Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) reported medical aid funds industry recorded N$129.5m surplus in Q3 2025

    Source

    “Namibia's medical aid funds industry recorded a net surplus of N$129.5 million in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa).”

    Medical aids post N$129.5m surplus in Q3 2025

  4. The Namibian

    Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority says industry assets remained sufficient to cover liabilities and reserves stayed above 25% minimum

    Source

    “The regulator says the industry's assets remained sufficient to fully cover liabilities during the period, while reserve levels increased and stayed above the minimum prudential requirement of 25%.”

    Medical aids post N$129.5m surplus in Q3 2025
  5. December 2025

  6. The Namibian

    Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) warns that smaller policies may become unviable under debit orders

    Source

    “The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) warns that smaller policies may become unviable under debit orders, potentially reversing recent GWP growth and increasing lapse rates.”

    Court Ruling Buys Insurers Time to Adapt
  7. May 2023

  8. The Namibian

    Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority said unsecured lending growth is a financial stability concern requiring prudent credit policies review

    Source

    “"It becomes a financial stability concern when unsecured lending grows significantly, because it also speaks to a need for a review of the credit policies of the Domestic Systemically Important Banks to become more prudent," said the regulators.”

    Household debt-servicing costs skyrocket
Business

Namibia's non-bank sector grows to N$552.8 billion in assets

The News

Namibia's non-bank financial sector has grown to more than N$552.8 billion in assets, with collective investment schemes managing approximately N$123.4 billion by end of 2025, a 19.2% increase from the previous year. The sector highlights the growing role of non-bank institutions in mobilising savings and financing economic activity as the country seeks to deepen its capital markets.

20 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 20 August

  1. Namibia's non-bank sector grows to N$552.8 billion in assets

    Namibia's non-bank financial sector has grown to more than N$552.8 billion in assets, with collective investment schemes managing approximately N$123.4 billion by end of 2025, a 19.2% increase from the previous year. The sector highlights the growing role of non-bank institutions in mobilising savings and financing economic activity as the country seeks to deepen its capital markets.

    20 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 13 August

  1. Financial adviser Schlabitz offers assets to repay investors

    Windhoek financial adviser Hanjo Schlabitz has offered to sell his house, an orphanage stake, cattle, and shares to compensate investors who lost N$250 million when his Wealth Management Solutions business collapsed in April after a forex trading platform failure. The offered assets total less than 5% of the amount lost, according to The Namibian.

    13 August 2026 · The Namibian →

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 →

Thursday 23 July

  1. Namibia's Financial Institutions Act takes effect May 1, 2026

    Namibia has begun implementing the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (FIMA), a consolidated regulatory framework designed to strengthen consumer protection, enhance financial stability, and modernize oversight of the non-banking financial sector by replacing several separate laws.

    23 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 17 July

  1. FIMA rules threaten pensioners' access to housing loans

    Since the Financial Institutions and Markets Act took effect in May 2026, concerns have arisen that Section 282(2) may unintentionally prevent thousands of pensioners from accessing affordable housing finance from their retirement funds. Industry experts worry the rule requiring a first mortgage bond for direct housing loans is hampering the consumer protection the Act was meant to provide.

    17 July 2026 · New Era →

  2. FIMA rules may block pensioners from retirement fund housing loans

    Pension fund industry experts warn that Section 282(2) of Namibia's Financial Institutions and Markets Act, which took effect in May 2026, may prevent thousands of pensioners from accessing affordable housing finance from their retirement funds. A pension funds expert emphasised the concern applies specifically to direct housing loans granted by retirement funds themselves, distinct from the Government Institutions Pension Fund housing initiative.

    17 July 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Seven companies fail to meet affirmative action leadership requirements

    The Employment Equity Commission found seven employers non-compliant with affirmative action provisions after they failed to groom qualified Namibians for senior positions and neglected to obtain required exemptions or approvals from the labour minister. The companies also failed to consult employees during the preparation and implementation of their affirmative action plans.

    14 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namfisa investigates financial advisory firm over N$250 million client losses

    The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority is investigating Wealth Management Solutions, owned by Hanjo Schlabitz, over losses of at least N$250 million belonging to clients, mostly pensioners and families. The liquidator estimates total losses may reach N$350 million, with 87 people and two organisations claiming as creditors, after Schlabitz allegedly used money market funds to cover failed foreign exchange investments.

    14 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. NAMFISA requires fund administrators to register within 12 months

    The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority has given administrators of pension funds, medical aid funds, and friendly societies 12 months to formally register under the Financial Institutions and Markets Act, which comes into force on 1 May 2026. Those who fail to comply could face regulatory action.

    14 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 13 July

  1. Pension reform regulations may restrict home-ownership financing access

    The implementation of Section 282 of the Financial Institutions and Markets Act, designed to strengthen retirement savings protection, is inadvertently creating barriers to housing loans from pension funds by imposing strict first mortgage bond requirements and causing delays for members seeking to finance home construction or purchase.

    13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. FIMA housing loan rules threaten pension fund accessibility

    The Financial Institutions and Markets Act's first mortgage bond requirement for pension fund housing loans, effective May 2026, may block thousands of Namibians from accessing housing finance through their pensions. GIPF says its schemes remain operational, but a pension industry professional warns Section 282(2) could render loans inaccessible to members who previously qualified under the repealed 1956 Act, unless NAMFISA grants exemptions.

    13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 12 July

  1. Windhoek firm loses pensioners' N$250 to N$350 million

    Wealth Management Solutions, a Windhoek financial advisory firm, has lost at least N$250 million belonging to pensioners and families through risky foreign investments; the owner allegedly paid out clients from other people's accounts to hide losses, and a liquidator estimates total losses could reach N$350 million.

    12 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Namibia's single friendly society maintains financial stability

    Namibia's only active friendly society grew total assets to N$3.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, a 9.3% increase year-on-year, and remained financially sound despite higher liabilities, according to Namfisa's quarterly report.

    8 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 6 July

  1. Pension funds drive Namibian assets to N$342.6 billion

    Assets managed by Namibia's investment firms reached N$342.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 1.3% from the previous quarter and 18.2% year-on-year, with pension funds accounting for 42.5% of total assets under management at N$145.5 billion.

    6 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 4 July

  1. Namibia's retirement fund assets reach N$301.9 billion

    Namibia's retirement fund industry grew during the first quarter of 2026, with total assets reaching N$301.9 billion, up 0.1% quarterly and 14.9% year-on-year, according to Namfisa's quarterly report. The Government Institutions Pension Fund continued to dominate, controlling 69.4% of total assets.

    4 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 July

  1. Namibians take fewer loans but borrow larger amounts

    Namibians are taking fewer loans from microlenders, but the average loan size is increasing. According to Namfisa's latest quarterly report, the average term loan rose to N$25,620 and payday loans to N$4,030 in the first quarter of 2026, though the overall microlending loan book declined 3% to N$7.3 billion.

    2 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Capricorn dominates Namibia unit trust market with 35.5% share

    Capricorn Unit Trust Management Company holds the largest share of Namibia's collective investment schemes market with 35.5% of total assets, as of Q1 2026. The country's unit trusts hold N$126.5 billion in total assets, with the top three managers controlling 57.9% of assets under management.

    2 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 July

  1. Non-banking financial sector awarded N$1.7m consumer compensation

    Namibia's non-banking financial institutions registered 98 consumer complaints in the first quarter of 2026, with 91.8% successfully resolved, resulting in N$1.7 million in total compensation to consumers. The sector comprises 1,220 active entities, though 58.7% are fully compliant while 5.1% are non-compliant, with most non-compliance concentrated in microlending.

    1 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. FIMA elevates Principal Officer to core governance role

    The Financial Institutions and Markets Act, 2021 has transformed the role of the Principal Officer in Namibia's retirement funds from an administrative contact to a central governance, compliance, and leadership position, now required to be an ex officio member of the fund's board and typically the chief executive officer or equivalent.

    1 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 26 June

  1. Housing affordability rules treat homes like depreciating assets

    Namibia's financial regulators apply a uniform 30-33% debt-to-income ceiling to both housing and vehicle loans, treating appreciating property the same as depreciating cars. The article argues this blanket rule locks creditworthy Namibians out of homeownership despite the Bank of Namibia's recent move to allow 100% financing for first- and second-home purchases.

    26 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 23 June

  1. Microlenders deny responsibility for Namibia's debt crisis

    The Micro Lenders Association has rejected claims that it is responsible for trapping Namibians in debt, attributing high debt levels instead to weak savings practices, economic pressures, multiple credit sources, income constraints, and regulatory gaps. The association made its position known in a 15-page letter to parliament's standing committee on economics, which is examining whether the country's laws adequately protect civil servants against microlenders.

    23 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 22 June

  1. Parliamentary committee examines lending practices amid debt crisis

    Parliament's Standing Committee on Economy and Industry held a public hearing to investigate whether existing laws adequately protect borrowers from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders. Committee leaders said household debt is a serious concern among civil servants, some of whom take home very low net pay due to multiple loan deductions from their salaries.

    22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

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. Family disputes funeral policies taken out without patient's consent

    A cancer patient's relatives allegedly took out multiple funeral policies on her life without her knowledge while neglecting her care and treatment costs; her sister was denied her own policy coverage, and the deceased's two children may not inherit from policies taken out in their mother's name.

    20 June 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Sunday 14 June

  1. Namibian medical aid covers 7.41% of population in 2025

    Namibia had 224,078 people registered with medical aid in 2025, representing 7.41% of the total population. Dependants made up the majority of members at 50.25%, while pensioners comprised only 6.75% due to higher premiums and preference for government healthcare.

    14 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 13 June

  1. MPs demand tighter controls on microlender salary deductions

    Members of parliament have called for stricter controls on microlenders' direct access to civil servants' salaries, arguing that such deductions worsen financial strain on public servants. The parliamentary economics committee heard concerns about excessive deductions and their effects on disposable income and mental health, with plans to meet with the Microlenders Association next week.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 11 June

  1. Ninety One-Sanlam Allianz seek to merge asset management businesses

    Ninety One Namibia and Sanlam Allianz Namibia plan to combine their active asset management businesses, operating under the Ninety One Namibia brand with a 15-year term, though the deal awaits shareholder and regulatory approvals including from the Namibia Competition Commission.

    11 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Namibia implements Financial Institutions and Markets Act

    Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said the implementation of the Financial Institutions and Markets Act on 1 May marked a significant step in modernising the regulation of Namibia's non-banking financial sector. The act, passed in 2021 alongside the Namfisa Act, establishes a modern regulatory framework designed to strengthen oversight of financial institutions, improve market confidence and support sustainable growth, with over 150 regulations and standards developed through stakeholder consultations between 2021 and 2025.

    3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute