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March 2026
The Namibian
Namibia Tourism Boardheldentrepreneurship and compliance training programme in Windhoek
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“This was shared by Namibia Tourism Board chief executive Sebulon Chicalu during a recent entrepreneurship and compliance training programme in Windhoek.”
Namibia Tourism Board (NTB)designed and producedtwo banner images at thousands of Namibian dollars
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“TWO banner images, designed and produced at thousands of Namibian dollars and used by the Namibian Tourism Board (NTB) to promote the wildlife of the country at the most influential tourism fairs in Europe, USA, Asia, the Middle East, and the African Continent, again exposed the environment ministry and its agencies, like the NTB and NWR, as totally ignorant.”
Namibia Tourism Board (NTB)used banners depictingThompson's Gazelle, which does not occur in Namibia, and AI-altered elephant
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“The two banners depicted a Thompson's Gazelle, which does not and has never occurred in Namibia, and a AI 'slop' elephant, altered to look as if it were in motion with a human-like foot and right hind leg, evoking laughter and embarrassment in equal measure at an event in one of Windhoek's most exclusive hotels meant to promote Namibian wildlife that actually doesn't exist.”
Namibia Tourism Boardjoined hands with SAA topromote travel within Africa and market the continent
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“The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and South African Airways (SAA) have joined hands to promote travel within Africa and market the continent as a top global destination.”
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB)spends excessive timein Dubai, Europe and other distant cities on glossy tours
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“The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) spend excessive time in Dubai, Europe and other distant cities on glossy tours, instead of prioritising Africa's most immediate and lucrative markets.”
Namibia Tourism BoardpaidN$160,000 to Ghanaian company Hype.Up
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“The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) says its payment of N$160 000 to Ghanaian company Hype.Up was made following an internal administrative and legal review to resolve matters inherited from the previous administration.”
Namibia Tourism Boardreceives bed levy funds channelled intomarketing Namibia abroad, developing skills and products, and supporting conservation
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“The money does not stay with the accommodation providing entities; it goes directly to the Namibia Tourism Board, where it is channelled into marketing Namibia abroad, developing skills and products, and supporting conservation.”
The Hospitality Association of Namibia says tourists find Windhoek lacks sufficient attractions and events, with feedback that museums and historical buildings are not properly promoted. While the city serves as a gateway to Namibia's tourism destinations, urban tourism remains limited to historic landmarks and township experiences.
The Hospitality Association of Namibia says tourists find Windhoek lacks sufficient attractions and events, with feedback that museums and historical buildings are not properly promoted. While the city serves as a gateway to Namibia's tourism destinations, urban tourism remains limited to historic landmarks and township experiences.
During President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to Beijing in July, Namibia and China signed agreements and memoranda covering economic partnership, healthcare, education, green minerals, tourism and agriculture, elevating bilateral relations to a Namibia-China Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.
During President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to China from 6 to 11 July, Namibia and China signed nine cooperation agreements covering economic development, health, education, mining, agriculture, tourism, media and technology. The agreements include an economic partnership for shared development agreement, a paired hospital cooperation mechanism, technical vocational education and training cooperation, green minerals cooperation, and a phytosanitary protocol enabling fresh Namibian table grapes to be exported to the Chinese market.
Nearly 30,000 Chinese visitors travelled to Namibia in 2025, making China Namibia's largest tourism source market in Asia and accounting for the largest share of Asia's 35,907 arrivals. The Namibia Tourism Board plans to strengthen partnerships with Chinese tour operators as part of efforts to attract more travellers from one of the world's largest outbound tourism markets.
Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu told the inaugural Namibia Customer Care and Effective Service Delivery Conference that service delivery is central to institutional credibility and national development. A Citizen Satisfaction Survey recorded 54% overall public satisfaction with government service delivery; the Ministry of Home Affairs recorded about 50%.
Lawyer Sisa Namandje argues that despite years of empowerment interventions in Namibia—including affirmative action, SME financing, and procurement preferences—many black-owned businesses still struggle to survive beyond founders and political cycles. He highlights how ongoing social pressures, including requests for donations and support from extended networks, undermine the sustainability of black entrepreneurship.
The Roads Authority paid private lawyers more than N$2.6 million to discipline and fire two executives accused of inflating a vehicle procurement tender. Labour experts say the expense demonstrates how parastatals squander public money.
Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel has launched the Namibia Luxury Travel Market Expo, scheduled for November or December, to position the country's tourism sector as a premium niche. The minister emphasized tourism's role in generating foreign exchange, employment, and socio-economic transformation as part of Namibia's Vision 2030 and sixth National Development Plan.
Namibia is showcasing its tourism potential and airport infrastructure development at Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban, South Africa, with the Namibia Airports Company Limited and tourism operators participating to strengthen the country's position as a key tourism and trade destination on the continent.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has insisted that access to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei remain unrestricted, rejecting a new directive from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism that limits the final 4.5 km stretch to registered tour guides, self-driving 4×4 vehicles, and a concessionaire shuttle service while prohibiting buses and trucks. Since the start of the year, tour operators and the public have accused the ministry of creating a monopoly through exclusive concession arrangements that were initially presented as non-exclusive.
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism confirmed that Deadvlei is open to self-driving visitors in 4×4 vehicles and those using a designated shuttle service, while buses and trucks are prohibited. The new regulations, which take immediate effect, were introduced to manage visitor numbers and protect the environment, though tour operators reported delays and unclear instructions during implementation.
Former Cabinet minister Calle Schlettwein has opposed the government's decision to restrict access to Deadvlei in Namib-Naukluft Park, saying the closure of Sossusvlei for self-drive visitors and requirement to use a single concessionaire robs Namibians of their right to free access. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced last week that only two categories of operators—Grow Namibia and registered tour guides employed by lodges—will be authorised to provide shuttle services to Deadvlei effective 1 May 2026, with self-driving beyond the 2×4 parking area no longer permitted for tourists.
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced that effective 1 May 2026, self-driving access to Deadvlei from the Sossusvlei 2×4 parking area will be restricted; only two categories of operators—Grow Namibia (trading as About Adelt Sossusvlei Management) and registered lodge tour guides—will be permitted to provide shuttle services.
The Namibia Tourism Board has purchased a luxury N$1.5-million Toyota Land Cruiser Prado for its chief executive Sebulon Chicalu despite internal warnings about overspending and financial strain. The board has incurred significant budget overruns—including N$8.5 million on marketing against a N$2.9 million budget and N$4.5 million on employee costs against N$2.2 million budgeted—and insiders claim it may need to draw on investment reserves to pay salaries.
The MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Academy will host the Tribute to Founding President Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma Boxing Bonanza on 9 May, featuring title defences by Fillipus Energy Nghitumbwa and Mateus Heita, alongside other top Namibian fighters. The event aims to celebrate Nujoma's legacy in sport development and position local fighters for world title opportunities.
Fillipus 'Energy' Nghitumbwa will defend his WBO Global super bantamweight title against Leonardo Carrillo of Colombia in a world title eliminator on 9 May at the Windhoek Showgrounds, as part of the 'Tribute to Dr Sam Nujoma Boxing Bonanza' event.
The Namibia Tourism Board and First National Bank are hosting a two-day workshop for over 100 tourism small and medium-sized enterprises, focusing on tourism training and financial literacy to help grow businesses. The bank contributed N$60,000 towards the initiative, which aims to support emerging entrepreneurs through training, mentorship and capacity-building.
About 97% of small and medium enterprises in Namibia are considered non-bankable by traditional financial institutions, with access to finance identified as a major barrier. The Namibia Tourism Board CEO attributes this to entrepreneurs' lack of preparation, poor documentation, absent collateral, weak financial management, and limited business skills, noting that roughly 90% of SMEs fail within five years.
Hunting tourism operators are concerned about the lack of Black Namibians in the hunting sector and have called for platforms and support to increase inclusivity and training. The Namibia Professional Hunting Association president emphasized the need for industry unity, ethical standards, and collaboration to maintain Namibia's reputation as a leading hunting destination while facing regional competition.
Independent Patriots for Change lawmaker Rodney Cloete has challenged Namibia Tourism Board vice chairperson Rachel Nathaniel-Koch's nomination as Lands Tribunal board chairperson, citing alleged financial misconduct including N$3.4 million in excessive travel expenses and her previous removal from the Transportation Commission. Cloete raised questions with the agriculture minister about whether she is fit for the position and demanded a full vetting report; Nathaniel-Koch responded that she was unaware of the nomination and is willing to respond once the matter is clarified with her.
The finance ministry plans to reduce subsidies and capital transfers to state-owned enterprises from N$1.3 billion in 2025/26 to N$615.7 million in 2026/27, citing fiscal consolidation and high public debt. Several SOEs including TransNamib and the Agricultural Bank of Namibia will receive no government transfers, while priority support goes to the National Housing Enterprise and Road Fund Administration.
The Namibian Tourism Board used banners depicting a Thompson's Gazelle (which does not occur in Namibia) and an AI-generated elephant at international tourism fairs. The opinion piece awards the NTB, NIPDB, and South African Airways "Mamparra of the Year" for the embarrassing error.
The Namibia Tourism Board and South African Airways partnered to promote intra-African travel and position Namibia as a regional destination. The partnership brought together travel operators from 15 African countries for networking and package development, with focus on growing Namibia's meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector.
Namibian boxer Fillipus 'Energy' Nghitumbwa will face Colombia's Leonardo Carillo, the WBA Federation Champion, on 9 May in a "Tribute to His Excellency Dr Sam Shafishuna Nujoma Boxing Bonanza" in Windhoek, organised by promoter Nestor Tobias in partnership with the Sam Nujoma Foundation. The event will feature multiple Namibian elite fighters and prospects, with promoters saying boxing creates economic benefits across multiple sectors and serves youth empowerment.
Namibia's WBO global super bantamweight champion Fillipus Nghitumbwa will fight highly-rated Colombian Leonardo Carillo on 9 May in Windhoek. The bout is part of the 'Tribute to Dr Sam Shafishuna Nujoma Boxing Bonanza' event featuring other top Namibian boxers and upcoming prospects.
The Namibia Tourism Board chief says Namibia must collaborate with neighbouring countries to attract long-distance tourists who want multi-country itineraries. The remarks came as Proflight Zambia announced direct flights between Windhoek and Lusaka starting March 2026, operating three times weekly to support regional tourism and travel connectivity.
Hotel room occupancy in Namibia for the fourth quarter of 2025 dropped 2.5% to 51.99% annually, according to the Hospitality Association of Namibia. While European tourists increased, particularly from D.A.CH countries, the sector faces challenges from high pricing and potential new levies.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia has natural resources, stable governance and skilled workforce but lacks coordinated digital marketing and storytelling compared to regional peers. The author calls for citizen-led content creation, institutional action from tourism and investment boards, and a focus on African markets first to boost visibility and investment.
The Namibia Tourism Board paid N$160,000 to Ghanaian company Hype.Up to resolve a long-standing dispute over an unpaid invoice from a Ghana Roadshow project, following legal review and a PwC forensic audit that found no irregularities.