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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

National Planning Commission

National Planning Commission — Namibian government agency responsible for strategic planning, green industrialisation, and energy transition initiatives.

2023-04-242026-10-22
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News reports

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Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

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What’s been said

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

  1. February 2026

  2. New Era

    National Planning Commission is partnering with UNCTAD to present findings in Windhoek on Thursday

    Source

    “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 beneficiation

  3. New Era

    National Planning Commission had as head Tom Alweendo

    Source

    “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 development
  4. January 2026

  5. The Namibian

    National Planning Commission will have administration of the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act transferred to it

    Source

    “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 plans

  6. New Era

    The executive director of the National Planning Commission was injured in killing of a headman and assistant headman

    Source

    “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 murders

  7. Informanté

    National Planning Commission employed I-Ben Nashandi as executive director

    Source

    “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 rest

  8. New Era

    National Planning Commission will be assigned administration of the Atomic Energy and Radiation Act for cross-sectoral coordination

    Source

    “The strategy also provides for the establishment of a Nuclear Institute of Namibia and the reassignment of the Act's administration to the National Planning Commission for cross-sectoral coordination.”

    Nam, India nuclear ties boosted … door opens for supply alliance, technology, value addition

  9. Informanté

    National Planning Commission employs as Executive Director I-Ben Nashandi

    Source

    “THE Executive Director of the National Planning Commission, I-Ben Nashandi, has survived with serious wounds a shooting incident in which another person was killed this morning.”

    I-Ben Nashandi survives attempted murder, his assistant killed
  10. December 2025

  11. The Namibian

    National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuende pointed out government struggles to make decisions based on reliable and coordinated data

    Source

    “National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuende in essence pointed out that the government struggles to make decisions based on reliable and coordinated data.”

    Out With the Old for 2026

  12. The Namibian

    National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuende said government has no system to accurately track jobs created since new administration took office

    Source

    “National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuende, speaking during a general meeting with the Namibia Statistics Agency, said the current way of recording employment is fragmented and unreliable.”

    NPC director general admits government cannot track jobs created

  13. The Namibian

    Director general of the National Planning Commission contributed technical expertise and insights to the Cabinet retreat discussions and sectoral priorities

    Source

    “To all ministers, the director general of the National Planning Commission, our deputy ministers, our regional governors, the secretary to the Cabinet and the executive directors, the chief executives of state-owned enterprises, resource persons and our moderators, your contributions have been deeply enriching.”

    Closing Statement by Vice President Lucia Witbooi at the First Cabinet Retreat
Opinion

Namibia Should Appoint Presidential Adviser on Spatial Planning

The News

The author argues that Namibia's National Development Plan 6 and Vision 2030 will succeed only if government understands where to prioritize investment for maximum impact, and proposes that the country appoint a presidential special adviser on spatial planning to ensure development priorities—including economic growth, education, agriculture, and environmental sustainability—are geographically targeted.

23 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. Namibia Should Appoint Presidential Adviser on Spatial Planning

    The author argues that Namibia's National Development Plan 6 and Vision 2030 will succeed only if government understands where to prioritize investment for maximum impact, and proposes that the country appoint a presidential special adviser on spatial planning to ensure development priorities—including economic growth, education, agriculture, and environmental sustainability—are geographically targeted.

    23 hours ago · The Namibian →

Sunday 18 October

  1. Universities should teach basic economics to all students

    An MBA student argues that economic literacy—including concepts like inflation, supply and demand, and interest rates—should be part of basic university education for all graduates, not confined to business programmes, because these principles directly affect daily life and professional decisions.

    18 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 15 October

  1. TVET urged to foster innovation and entrepreneurial mindset

    At a NEV TVET Hub graduation, the Director-General of the National Planning Commission urged TVET management to remain innovative and to inculcate entrepreneurial mindsets in graduates so they can create opportunities and employ others, rather than viewing TVET solely as a source of labour for industry.

    15 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

  2. Finance minister flags implementation as budget cycle's most difficult phase

    Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said that implementing the budget is the most "problematic" phase of the budget cycle, noting that allocating money to plans is easier than executing them. She cited infrastructure spending, where around N$8.5 billion was allocated for the development budget, and called for at least 50% execution rates from ministries and agencies.

    15 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. WorldSkills champion George Victor awarded over N$55,000 in prizes

    George P. Victor, a Welding competitor from Eenhana VTC, won the Best of Nation Award at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China (22–27 September 2026) and was honoured at the NEV TVET Hub graduation in Ondangwa. The NTA CEO awarded him N$30,000, his Expert N$15,000, the Oshana Governor pledged N$10,000, and the National Planning Commission Director-General pledged the cash equivalent of five head of cattle.

    15 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 12 October

  1. Namibia and Germany sign N$103m energy and industrialisation agreement

    Namibia and Germany have signed a N$103-million agreement to improve energy access and support green industrialisation, launching two projects aimed at expanding sustainable energy access and developing responsible value chains for critical raw materials.

    12 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Germany commits N$103m to Namibia's energy transition

    Germany has committed approximately N$103 million to support Namibia's energy transition and green industrialisation, including expansion and rehabilitation of the Ruacana Hydropower Plant. The funding follows a EUR 5.5 million Technical Cooperation Agreement signed between the German ambassador and Namibia's National Planning Commission director general, targeting increased energy access from 59.3% to 70% by 2030.

    12 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 10 October

  1. Germany funds N$103 million in Namibia energy transition projects

    Germany and Namibia have signed an agreement for two energy transition and industrialisation projects worth N$103 million, focusing on expanding electricity access and developing critical raw materials value chains. The projects support Namibia's green industrialisation objectives and are part of broader European investment in Namibian infrastructure and energy.

    10 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 7 October

  1. EU backs northern Namibia beef export if disease-free

    The European Union says it supports efforts to allow Namibia's northern communal farmers to enter international markets if the regions attain disease-free status to export meat. This follows the EU's temporary suspension of fresh beef, sheep and goat meat imports from Namibia due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

    7 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President Nandi-Ndaitwah's UNGA81 trip pursues investment and infrastructure financing

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended UNGA81 to promote Namibia's investment opportunities, secure financing for critical infrastructure, and defend the country's interests in the global financial system. The visit produced new investment leads, water-financing discussions, potential education cooperation, and a stronger role in implementing the Pact for the Future, though these remain opportunities for further discussions rather than concluded agreements.

    7 October 2026 · New Era →

Friday 2 October

  1. Land reform success requires more than hectares acquired

    An editorial argues that Namibia's land reform should be measured by whether beneficiaries can make a living from the land, not by hectares redistributed or farms purchased. The piece raises concerns about Agribank's sustainability, noting it lends over N$250 million annually while receiving about N$99 million in Treasury support, forcing dependence on capital markets to sustain its lending programme.

    2 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 21 September

  1. NIPDB and FirstRand convene CEOs to address competitiveness decline

    The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and FirstRand Namibia held a CEOs' Roundtable with close to 40 executive business leaders to address Namibia's competitiveness decline, following the country's drop in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook to 69th out of 70 economies.

    21 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 11 September

  1. Namibia to balance green hydrogen development with environmental protection

    The Director-General of the National Planning Commission says Namibia is committed to developing green hydrogen responsibly while taking environmental concerns seriously, and that Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments are being undertaken in green hydrogen valleys to evaluate cumulative impacts and guide where development can proceed.

    11 September 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 10 September

  1. Conservation must not veto Namibia's economic development

    An opinion piece argues that while conservation is essential, Namibia cannot use environmental protection as a blanket veto against economic development. The debate is not whether to develop, but how, where, and at what cost, particularly as Namibia pursues investments in mining, green hydrogen, renewable energy, and tourism.

    10 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Conservation and development can coexist, says Mbuende

    National Planning Commission Director-General Dr Kaire Mbuende has called for a balance between environmental conservation and industrial development, arguing that conservation concerns should not become an absolute barrier to economic activity. Speaking at the African Green Industries Summit in Swakopmund, Mbuende said environmental impact must be seriously assessed but that Namibia should not be forced to choose between development and conservation.

    10 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 7 September

  1. New five-year employment permit launched for investors

    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.

    7 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 5 September

  1. President urges Namibian businesses beyond symbolic corporate donations

    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 →

Tuesday 1 September

  1. National Council Chairperson opens fourth Junior National Council session

    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 →

Friday 21 August

  1. Health minister calls healthcare an investment, revenue-generating industry

    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 →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Government establishes committee on informal economy institutionalisation

    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 →

  2. Namibia's consul denies million-dollar Dangote facilitation fee

    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 →

Wednesday 5 August

  1. NPC clarifies oil revenue projections not yet in fiscal planning

    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 →

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Namibia marks World Population Day with youth investment call

    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 →

Monday 27 July

  1. Teenage pregnancy threatens Namibia's youth dividend, experts warn

    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 →

Saturday 25 July

  1. Namibia shifts water strategy to desalination and renewable energy

    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 →

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Slower growth and lower revenue restrict development funding

    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 →

Tuesday 21 July

  1. President visits China, signs nine cooperation agreements

    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 →

Monday 20 July

  1. Namibia lags on sanitation target within Sustainable Development Goals

    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 →

Sunday 19 July

  1. Namibia joins regional cost-benefit analysis initiative

    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 →

Thursday 16 July

  1. Brazil pledges N$1.9 million to expand food security programme

    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 →

National Planning Commission — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute