National Planning Commission — Government agency that manages fiscal planning, development funding distribution, and participates in democratic governance programs.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
New Era
National Planning Commission issued clarification in December 2025 stating no fixed local ownership threshold has been adopted
“In a bid to steady nerves, Namibia's National Planning Commission (NPC) issued a crucial clarification in December 2025, stating that no fixed local ownership threshold has been adopted.”
Mining chamber cautions of policy uncertainty spooking investorsNew Era
National Planning Commission said there is no fixed requirement for local ownership in mining
“In December 2025, the National Planning Commission said there is no fixed requirement for local ownership in mining or other sectors.”
Namibia’s mining appeal drops … 51% local ownership, new laws scare investorsThe Namibian
National Planning Commission clarified that government has not set fixed local ownership threshold
“However, last December the National Planning Commission clarified that the government has not set a fixed threshold for local ownership.”
Policy uncertainty deters investments in miningNew Era
National Planning Commission received 148 project proposals valued at US$1 billion under NGH2P
“The Namibian government has received interest from investors and developers following its invitation of proposals for green industrialisation projects under the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P).”
Green energy proposals flood Namibia …… 148 submissions, valued at N$16.5bInformanté
National Planning Commission prohibited fund transfers from development budget to operational spending
“the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance have prohibited "virements" (the transfer of funds) from the development budget to operational spending.”
Government allocates N$1.9 billion to housing and urban development in 2026/27 budgetNew Era
National Planning Commission is partnering with UNCTAD to present findings in Windhoek on Thursday
“The findings of the UNCTAD report are scheduled to be presented on Thursday in Windhoek during an event organised in partnership with the National Planning Commission.”
UN trade chief to spotlight Namibia’s economic potential …could unlock N$14b, 26 000 jobs through beneficiationNew Era
National Planning Commission had as head Tom Alweendo
“He served as Governor of the Bank of Namibia and head of the National Planning Commission (NPC), roles that require deep economic and financial expertise.”
Opinion – Unqualified leadership undermines developmentThe Namibian
National Planning Commission will have administration of the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act transferred to it
“The strategy also provides for the establishment of a Nuclear Institute of Namibia to drive implementation, while administration of the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act will be transferred to the National Planning Commission.”
Namibia looks to global partnerships to advance nuclear power plansNew Era
The executive director of the National Planning Commission was injured in killing of a headman and assistant headman
“Another case involved the killing of a headman and an assistant headman and injured the executive director of the National Planning Commission.”
Police nip festive crime in the bud …but laments murdersInformanté
National Planning Commission employed I-Ben Nashandi as executive director
“Nashandi, the village headman and National Planning Commission executive director who survived the attack with serious bullet wounds, is still hospitalised, now in a stable condition.”
Headman Nepando laid to restThe Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board has launched a new five-year employment permit for investors that functions as work authorisation, replacing the standard two-year permit and offering greater certainty for long-term business planning in Namibia.
4 hours ago · The Namibian →
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board has launched a new five-year employment permit for investors that functions as work authorisation, replacing the standard two-year permit and offering greater certainty for long-term business planning in Namibia.
4 hours ago · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Namibian companies to move beyond symbolic corporate social investment donations and instead create lasting socio-economic benefits for communities, measuring impact through outcomes like improved education, healthcare, and youth empowerment rather than announcement visibility.
5 September 2026 · The Namibian →
National Council Chairperson Lukas Muha opened the 1st Session of the 4th Junior National Council (JNC) on 31 August, which runs until 04 September 2026. The JNC, formalised in 2013 and inaugurated in 2017, serves as a platform for school-going youth to express views and debate issues of community, regional, national and international importance, while nurturing leadership qualities and promoting civic engagement.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao says Namibia should treat healthcare as a multi-billion-dollar industry to generate revenue for the public system and improve care quality. She suggested senior government officials using public health facilities could help redirect resources to strengthen state healthcare.
21 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The government has established a National Technical Committee on Institutionalisation of the Informal Economy to design inclusive legal frameworks and budget for social protection and financial inclusion for the informal sector, which accounts for about 57% of Namibian employment according to informal economy advocates.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Honorary Consul in Nigeria, Justin Chuma Anosike, has denied allegations that he charged Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote US$1 million for arranging a meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The denial comes amid separate allegations that confidential Cabinet minutes and strategic documents were leaked to Anosike and passed to a Dangote Group executive, which NPC director-general Kaire Mbuende also rejects.
19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The National Planning Commission said government will only factor oil income into fiscal planning once oil and gas projects reach a final investment decision, and that borrowing decisions are based on broader economic projections rather than a single sector. The clarification followed criticism from the Independent Patriots for Change, which had accused the NPC director general of proposing that Namibia borrow against future oil revenues despite sector uncertainty.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia commemorated World Population Day 2026 with focus on youth health, opportunities, and teenage pregnancy prevention, launching a UNFPA report that surveyed over 108,000 young adults aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries. The report found that while many young people aspire to marriage and children, financial insecurity, rising living costs, and housing challenges are preventing them from achieving their desired futures.
29 July 2026 · Informanté →
The United Nations Population Fund reports that 19% of women aged 15–19 in Namibia have begun childbearing, with teenage pregnancy responsible for 12% of female school dropouts. Stakeholders warn that addressing the issue requires coordinated action from government, families, schools, communities and development partners to prevent Namibia from losing its youth dividend.
27 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Facing drought and climate uncertainty, Namibia is moving away from traditional surface water sources toward desalination, water reclamation, groundwater management, and renewable energy-powered systems. The country's Cabinet Committee on Water Supply Security, established in 2016, has expanded its mandate from securing Windhoek's supply to addressing water challenges across coastal regions and the broader country.
25 July 2026 · Informanté →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Namibia has joined an initiative with seven other southern African countries to use cost-benefit analysis to help governments achieve better outcomes with limited budgets. The tool translates economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits into present-day dollars, allowing policymakers to compare policy alternatives and prioritise spending.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
The parliament, the National Planning Commission and the European Union have concluded a six-year Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia programme, which invested €6 million (about N$127 million) in strengthening democratic governance, parliamentary oversight and citizen participation since August 2020.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
An N$18 million grant fund from the Pro-SME Project, a joint Namibian-German initiative, is available to young entrepreneurs and small businesses to help them formalise, expand and create jobs, with the first application round closing on 24 July.
1 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Japan has contributed N$80 billion in development assistance to Namibia over the past two decades, including technical assistance, grants and scholarships, with close to half—N$47 billion—provided as grants and development assistance, according to the National Planning Commission executive director.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Simonis Storm analysis shows Namibia could unlock approximately N$14.5 billion in new manufacturing and value-addition activities, citing a trade deficit of N$4.4 billion and identifying 353 products across 23 sectors that the country could potentially manufacture using existing capabilities.
11 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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 →
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 →
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia says its relationship with government came under pressure in 2025 over disagreements on proposed local ownership requirements for mining, with engagement with the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy becoming difficult.
27 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The finance ministry's executive director clarified that the government does not accept unsolicited funding bids from private entities or agents for infrastructure projects. Instead, all government funding and development projects must follow established procedures under the National Planning Commission Act and State Finance Act.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Finance says infrastructure funding must comply with existing procurement and borrowing laws and cannot be sourced through unsolicited proposals from private entities or their agents, despite acknowledging that such proposals could support national infrastructure development.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Cabinet has officially approved the establishment of the Green Industries Council to guide development of the green industries sector, with a focus on industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation. The Council will be chaired by the Director-General of the National Planning Commission and include ministers from finance, industries, agriculture, environment, trade, urban development, the Attorney-General, and the Bank of Namibia Governor.
17 May 2026 · Informanté →
The Cabinet has approved a new Green Industries Council, replacing the Green Hydrogen Council after it ended in February 2025. The council will oversee Namibia's broader green industrialisation agenda, focusing on policy coordination, institutional alignment and investment priorities to accelerate industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →