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Namibian press · Event

Public Procurement Act

2024-01-102026-08-21

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. Windhoek Observer

    The thresholds established when the Public Procurement Act came into operation in 2017 were designed for economic circumstances that have since changed.

    Procurement reform must deliver both speed and accountability
  3. Windhoek Observer

    A key change is the revision of procurement thresholds established when the Public Procurement Act came into operation in 2017.

    Procurement reforms give public entities greater spending power
  4. July 2026
  5. The Namibian

    He argues in his affidavit that if public entities subcontract the work out to unvetted private companies, those third parties would make millions without facing open competitive bidding – effectively sidestepping the Public Procurement Act.

    Caterers sue Govt over N$540m school tender
  6. Windhoek Observer

    The primary responsibility of Bid Evaluation Committees is to evaluate bids facilitated by the CPBN in accordance with the requirements of the Public Procurement Act and applicable procurement procedures, and to submit evaluation reports and recommendations to the Board for consi

    CPBN receives overwhelming response to bid evaluation committee enlistment
  7. Windhoek Observer

    According to the ministry, six public entities participated in the procurement process, with NTA emerging as the responsive bidder in line with provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

    Education ministry defends NTA appointment for hostel food supply
  8. Windhoek Observer

    t board argues that the continued occupation has caused delays in appointing another contractor to complete remedial and outstanding works, while also creating administrative and financial challenges and affecting its ability to fulfil its mandate under the Public Procurement Act

    N$64m Okakarara VTC dispute heads to mediation
  9. June 2026
  10. Windhoek Observer

    He reminded Members of Parliament of their oversight responsibilities, citing legislation such as the Public Procurement Act, the Anti-Corruption Act, and the State Finance Act as key instruments for promoting transparency, ethical governance, and the effective implementation of

    Eigub demands action on contractor payment delays
  11. The Namibian

    The Ministry of Finance also confirmed on Wednesday that it had received information alleging “non-compliance with the Public Procurement Act” and subsequently launched an investigation.

    ACC probes Keetmans municipality over N$3.4 million deal
  12. Windhoek Observer

    The Public Procurement Act exists precisely to prevent the perception that individuals are handpicked behind closed doors.

    Playing with words will not resolve the Uhuru Dempers questions
  13. Windhoek Observer

    It questions the procurement process and calls for an investigation into whether all requirements of the Public Procurement Act were followed.

    Whistleblower alleges corruption at NIPDB
Politics

Namibia's procurement reform seeks speed without sacrificing accountability

The News

Namibia's revised public procurement regulations, which came into operation on 4 August 2026, give over 80 public entities greater scope to undertake procurement independently, aiming to reduce administrative delays and improve service delivery. The success of the reform will depend on implementation rather than the regulations themselves, balancing efficiency with transparency and accountability.

19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Namibia's procurement reform seeks speed without sacrificing accountability

    Namibia's revised public procurement regulations, which came into operation on 4 August 2026, give over 80 public entities greater scope to undertake procurement independently, aiming to reduce administrative delays and improve service delivery. The success of the reform will depend on implementation rather than the regulations themselves, balancing efficiency with transparency and accountability.

    19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  2. Namibia revises procurement thresholds, expands entity participation

    More than 80 public entities gain broader procurement authority under Namibia's revised regulations effective August 4, 2026, aimed at reducing administrative delays, decongesting central procurement, and expanding supplier opportunities. The changes raise procurement thresholds to reflect current economic conditions including inflation and currency depreciation.

    19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Thursday 30 July

  1. Caterer sues government over N$540m school hostel food tender

    Private caterer Pamo Trading Enterprises is challenging a N$540-million hostel food tender awarded to the Namibia Training Authority for supplying food to 239 government school hostels accommodating 77,281 pupils nationwide. The company filed an application at the Windhoek High Court on 20 July seeking to have the award set aside and any procurement contracts declared null and void.

    30 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. CPBN receives 422 applications for bid evaluation committee

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia received 422 applications from qualified individuals across the country in response to its call for Bid Evaluation Committee members, with 235 (56%) submitted by women and 187 (44%) by men. The board attributes the strong response to recent reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and integrity in public procurement processes.

    30 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Education ministry exempted NTA from competitive bidding for hostel food

    The education ministry sought an exemption from finance to appoint the Namibia Training Authority to supply food to government school hostels outside open competitive bidding, citing the need to reduce litigation risks and ensure food security after prolonged court cases. The interim arrangement is budgeted at just over N$90 million per month for six months pending resolution of a Supreme Court case.

    15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Wednesday 8 July

  1. N$64 million Okakarara VTC dispute referred to mediation

    A High Court dispute over a N$64.2 million construction contract for upgrading the Okakarara Vocational Training Centre, involving the Central Procurement Board of Namibia, Octagon Construction, and the Namibia Training Authority, has been referred to court-connected mediation as the parties seek alternative dispute resolution before trial.

    8 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Friday 26 June

  1. MP Eigub demands action on government contractor payment delays

    Landless People's Movement MP Dawid Eigub has called on Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare to address persistent delays in government payments to contractors and service providers, noting that some contractors have waited more than six months for payment and that the situation is threatening businesses and driving up public project costs.

    26 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Sunday 14 June

  1. ACC investigates Keetmanshoop municipality electricity contract deal

    The Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating the Keetmanshoop Municipality over alleged irregularities in a N$3.4-million service level agreement awarded to JJF Investments and Bellatrix SME Finance for the supply of prepaid electricity meters. The Ministry of Finance also launched an investigation after receiving information alleging non-compliance with the Public Procurement Act.

    14 June 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Ministry's terminology shift fails to clarify Dempers role dispute

    The controversy over Uhuru Dempers' position at the National Youth Council has become a broader question of transparency and accountability within the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. While attendance records confirm Dempers attended NYC meetings and exercised influence on behalf of Minister Sanet Steenkamp, the ministry insists he is merely an independent temporary consultant rather than a special advisor, but this terminological distinction does not address underlying concerns about his involvement in strategic meetings and policy discussions.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Anonymous whistleblower alleges corruption at NIPDB

    An anonymous complaint submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission has alleged corruption, nepotism, favouritism and governance irregularities at the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board under former CEO Nangula Uaandja between 2021 and 2025. The allegations, which have not been independently verified, include claims of recruitment irregularities, including the appointment of Tinus Fourie to positions without public advertisement or interview.

    2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Government directs investors to treasury bill auctions, not direct proposals

    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

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Health ministry cancels N$194m medical stores construction tender

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has requested cancellation of a N$194-million tender to build new central medical stores in Windhoek, citing that the expected outcome did not justify costs. The cancellation follows allegations of political interference and concerns raised by the Global Fund over the redirection of its N$194-million donation originally earmarked for the project.

    22 April 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 17 April

  1. CPBN introduces stricter requirements for bid evaluators

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has introduced new measures for appointing Bid Evaluation Committee members, including requirements for accredited qualifications, police clearance certificates, and mandatory training and competency assessments. The reforms aim to address longstanding concerns about transparency, capacity gaps, and delays in public procurement evaluations.

    17 April 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Namibia tightens qualification rules for procurement bid evaluators

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has introduced stricter procedures for appointing bid evaluation committee members, requiring accredited qualifications, police certificates of conduct, compulsory training, and competency assessments to ensure integrity and transparency in public procurement.

    15 April 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 12 April

  1. IPPR warns direct government tenders bypass accountability

    The Institute for Public Policy Research has criticized the government's decision to bypass the Central Procurement Board on N$350 million in projects, arguing it creates risks of corruption and waste. The government has directly awarded contracts including a N$140-million sports stadium project to the Roads Contractor Company and other projects to August 26 without public tendering, a practice that lacks transparency and limits competition for local businesses.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 24 March

  1. Government allocates N$140m for regional sports infrastructure

    The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has distributed N$10 million to each of Namibia's 14 regions for construction of basic, multi-purpose community sports facilities as part of a phased national sports infrastructure development programme. The first phase, funded with N$140 million, will support construction of 28 facilities nationwide, with implementation decentralised to Regional Governors.

    24 March 2026 · New Era

Thursday 19 March

  1. Puma Energy seeks court order to restore airport fuel operations

    Puma Energy Namibia has filed an urgent court application seeking restoration of its access and control over fuel facilities at Eros and Ondangwa Airports, which it claims were unlawfully seized by Namibia Airports Company and other respondents on 11 March. NAC argues the matter does not warrant urgent intervention and that it followed proper procurement procedures in awarding fuel supply services to competitor Central Oil Namibia.

    19 March 2026 · New Era

Thursday 19 February

  1. PM Ngurare pledges stricter accountability for government contractors

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare told Parliament that government will enforce tougher oversight of contractors and service providers who fail to meet project timelines or abandon government sites. Since March 2025, Ngurare has approved the discharge or demotion of several underperforming public servants and called for closer coordination between the executive, legislature, and private sector to improve service delivery.

    19 February 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 16 February

  1. Information commissioner salary set at N$1.4 million annually

    Namibia's incoming information commissioner will earn N$120,000 monthly plus extensive benefits, exceeding the prime minister's estimated salary. The role, created to implement the Access to Information Act and strengthen public procurement transparency, will be filled through a formal recruitment process advertised by parliament.

    16 February 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 11 February

  1. Minister urges councils to prioritize Namibian firms in tenders

    Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has called on regional and local authority councillors to award tenders to Namibian companies and ensure local participation in development projects. He emphasized that procurement must promote job creation and empower Namibian-registered small and medium enterprises, while cautioning councils to conduct thorough background checks on company ownership and ensure genuine Namibian involvement rather than token partnerships.

    11 February 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 21 January

  1. Minister Sankwasa halts land auctions, pledges nationwide audit

    Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa said local authorities will no longer auction state land at inflated prices and announced a nationwide land audit to determine ownership and illegal acquisitions by councillors. He also called for stricter enforcement of procurement rules to prevent foreign companies from dominating tenders at the expense of local businesses.

    21 January 2026 · New Era

  2. Minister criticises councils for awarding tenders to foreign firms

    Minister of Urban and Rural Development Sankwasa James Sankwasa has criticised local and regional authorities for favouring foreign-owned companies over Namibian businesses in procurement, saying such practices breach the Public Procurement Act and hinder national development. He stressed that Namibian-registered SMEs should receive preferential treatment and called for stricter vetting of joint ventures to prevent foreign firms from sidelining local partners after contract award.

    21 January 2026 · Informanté

Public Procurement Act — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute