Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Organization

Namibian Competition Commission

Also known as: NaCC · the commission · competition commission · Namibia Competition Commission · Namibia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission · IGC · Namibia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on Trade and Economic Cooperation · Namibia–Russia IGC and Business Forum · Commission of Inquiry into Claims of Ancestral Land Rights and Restitution · Commission of Inquiry · Namibia's Competition Commission

Namibian Competition Commission — regulatory authority investigating competition violations and approving major corporate acquisitions, currently overseeing cases in tourism, pharmacy pricing, and fuel retail consolidation.

Business

Cheetah Cement to close, retrench 87 workers after merger blocked

The News

Cheetah Cement plans to close operations and retrench approximately 87 employees by 15 April, citing sustained financial losses, regional import restrictions, and a blocked merger attempt with Ohorongo Cement. The Namibian Competition Commission refused the merger in July 2025, and the company says it has been loss-making for eight years; the union is negotiating to find alternatives to the retrenchments.

22 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 22 March

  1. Cheetah Cement to close, retrench 87 workers after merger blocked

    Cheetah Cement plans to close operations and retrench approximately 87 employees by 15 April, citing sustained financial losses, regional import restrictions, and a blocked merger attempt with Ohorongo Cement. The Namibian Competition Commission refused the merger in July 2025, and the company says it has been loss-making for eight years; the union is negotiating to find alternatives to the retrenchments.

    22 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Nasan Energies becomes third-largest fuel retailer after acquisition approval

    The Namibian Competition Commission has approved Nasan Energies' acquisition of 52 Engen and Shell-branded service stations from Vivo Energy, positioning Nasan as the country's third-largest fuel retailer. The purchase was conditional on divestment to prevent monopolistic control, following concerns about potential connections between Nasan's co-founder Miguel Hamutenya and Vivo's parent company Vitol.

    22 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 March

  1. Nasan Energies approved to buy 53 service stations from Vivo Energy

    The Namibian Competition Commission has approved Nasan Energies, co-founded by Miguel Hamutenya, to acquire 53 service stations from Vivo Energy/Engen. The approval comes despite earlier objections over potential monopoly concerns related to possible ties between Nasan and Vitol, Vivo Energy's parent company.

    19 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Nasan Energies finalizes acquisition of 52 fuel retail units

    Nasan Energies is in final stages of acquiring 52 business units from Vivo Energy and Engen Namibia, a regulatory-mandated divestiture intended to increase market competition. The company has completed its retail identity, implemented new operational systems, and secured fuel supply contracts ahead of the Namibian Competition Commission's final decision.

    18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President reaffirms Namibia-Russia cooperation with visiting delegation

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah met a high-level Russian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev to reaffirm bilateral relations and discuss outcomes of the 11th Namibia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission session. The President said government remains committed to deepening cooperation in energy, agriculture, defence, education and people-to-people relations, while Trutnev noted the visit includes Russian business representatives expected to open opportunities for expanded economic cooperation.

    18 March 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Namibia-Russia forum explores fertiliser plant and cooperation areas

    The Namibia–Russia Business Forum discussed establishing a fertiliser manufacturing plant to support agricultural schemes and reduce food import dependence. The Ministerial Session of the Namibia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission also identified cooperation opportunities in agriculture, sport, education, energy, and other sectors.

    17 March 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 16 March

  1. Namibia and Russia hold 11th bilateral commission session

    Namibia and Russia have convened the 11th Session of their Intergovernmental Commission in Windhoek, with senior officials reviewing progress on bilateral cooperation across trade, mining, energy, agriculture, and other sectors ahead of a ministerial meeting.

    16 March 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Namibia and Russia to hold trade and economic talks

    The Namibia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation will convene in Windhoek from 13 to 16 March 2026, focusing on bilateral cooperation in mining, education, health, transport, trade, investment, agriculture, and waste management. A parallel Business Forum with over 300 representatives will discuss logistics, industrialisation, technology transfer, and value chain development.

    12 March 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 7 March

  1. Namibia to hold bilateral forum with Russia on minerals, energy

    Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade announced that an Intergovernmental Commission and Business Forum with Russia will be held in Windhoek on 16–17 March 2026, focusing on Russian expertise in geological exploration, agriculture, and energy infrastructure to support local value-addition in Namibia's mineral sector. The minister also outlined Namibia's broader diplomatic engagement with countries including South Africa, Angola, Brazil, Cuba, and Venezuela, as well as efforts to strengthen regional trade cooperation.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. Government cuts funding to state-owned enterprises in 2026/27

    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.

    3 March 2026 · The Namibian →

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