Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
September 2026
New Era
Simonis Storm Securitieswarnedoutbreak could cost Namibia N$2.5 billion to N$6 billion in lost export revenue
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“The Simonis Storm Securities report, which provides an in-depth overview of the regional FMD's economic impacts in Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, further cautions that the outbreak could cost Namibia between N$2.5 billion and N$6 billion in lost export revenue if premium international beef market channels are completely disrupted.”
Simonis Storm Securities (SSS)forecast vehicle sales for 2026 atbetween 15,500 and 16,500 units
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“According to Simonis Storm Securities (SSS), its forecast remains at between 15 500 and 16 500 vehicle units for the full year, requiring monthly sales of between 1185 and 1435 units from September to December.”
Simonis Storm Securities (SSS)projected vehicle sales for 2027 atbetween 17,000 and 19,000 units if TotalEnergies' Venus FID is confirmed
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“For 2027, SSS has projected vehicle sales of between 17 000 and 19 000 units if TotalEnergies' Venus final investment decision (FID) is confirmed and the project mobilises as scheduled.”
Simonis Storm Securitiesproducedaffordability report on home prices and required salaries
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“According to a new affordability report by Simonis Storm Securities, a home buyer now needs a monthly salary of nearly N$44 000 to afford an average house.”
“This is according to a macro insights report by Simonis Storm Securities, a local equities and wealth management company, which analysed the 2025 Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).”
Almandro Jansen of Simonis Storm SecuritiessaidNamibia's inflation expected to moderate in second half of 2026 following fuel price decline
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“Namibia's inflation is expected to moderate during the second half of 2026 following a decline in domestic fuel prices, although economists caution that electricity tariffs, administered price increases and food costs remain significant upside risks, Almandro Jansen of Simonis Storm Securities has said.”
Simonis Storm SecuritiesprojectsGDP growth of 2% to 2.5% for 2026
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“According to Jansen, mining accounts for 13.5% of Namibia's nominal GDP, meaning prolonged weakness in the sector could prevent the economy from reaching the upper end of Simonis Storm's projected 2% to 2.5% growth range for 2026.”
Simonis Storm Securitieslowered earnings forecasts and downgraded stock frombuy to hold
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“MOBILE Telecommunications Limited (MTC) delivered higher revenue and maintained strong cash generation during the first half of its 2026 financial year, but rising operating costs limited profit growth, prompting analysts at Simonis Storm Securities to lower their earnings forecasts and downgrade the stock from a "buy" to a "hold".”
Simonis Storm SecuritiessaidNamibia's debt position remains manageable
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“Last month, Simonis Storm Securities said Namibia's debt position remains manageable, although pressure on public finances continues to increase as government borrowing requirements grow.”
Namibia detected Foot and Mouth Disease cases south of the veterinary cordon fence in the //Kharas region after 10 of 11 cattle samples tested positive. The government imposed an immediate nationwide suspension on movement, marketing, import and export of cloven-hoofed animals and their by-products.
Namibia detected Foot and Mouth Disease cases south of the veterinary cordon fence in the //Kharas region after 10 of 11 cattle samples tested positive. The government imposed an immediate nationwide suspension on movement, marketing, import and export of cloven-hoofed animals and their by-products.
Namibia's hospitality sector achieved nearly 70% occupancy in August, driven by European safari tourists and domestic weddings, surpassing the August 2025 level of 69.05% and approaching the August 2019 pre-pandemic benchmark of 67.18%. Northern Namibia recorded the strongest occupancy at 76.28%.
Namibia's vehicle market is expected to maintain momentum through the remainder of 2026, with forecasts of 15,500 to 16,500 units for the full year, though rising inflation, fuel prices and vehicle running costs are creating tougher operating conditions. For 2027, sales forecasts range from 17,000 to 19,000 units if TotalEnergies' Venus project investment decision is confirmed, or 15,000 to 17,000 units if delayed.
A housing affordability report shows the average house price reached N$1.46 million in the second quarter of 2026, requiring a monthly income of about N$43,765 to secure financing. Housing expert Namene Kalili attributes the shortage to insufficient housing construction—Namibia needs to service around 5,000 plots annually but falls far short—compounded by building supply industry constraints.
Namibia is advancing rail infrastructure development, including the operational Walvis Bay-Karibib freight corridor launched in July 2026 targeting 25,000 tonnes monthly, and the proposed Trans-Kalahari Railway linking Walvis Bay to Windhoek, Gaborone and Johannesburg, to compete for Southern African freight volumes and secure Port of Walvis Bay traffic amid regional competition.
Simonis Storm Securities analysis of Namibia's 2025 Financial Inclusion Survey shows that 86.0% of people aged 15+ now use at least one formal or informal financial product, up from 78.0% in 2017, but the median household has little room to absorb economic shocks and remains dependent on modest, irregular wages and grants due to heavily bottom-weighted income distribution.
Namibia's inflation, which peaked at 4.4% in June, is expected to moderate in the second half of 2026 following fuel price cuts in July. However, economists warn that electricity tariffs, administered price increases, and food costs pose upside risks.
Namibia's economy showed 2% year-on-year GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026, stabilizing after near-stagnation in late 2025, but persistent weakness in mining—particularly a 12.2% contraction in the sector, with diamond production down 18.6% and base metals down 31.2%—remains a key downside risk for 2026 growth prospects, according to Simonis Storm Securities.
Mobile Telecommunications Limited reported first-half 2026 revenue of N$1.95 billion, up 7.1%, driven by prepaid services and roaming; however, operating costs rose faster than revenue, causing EBITDA margin to decline from 49.4% to 47.4% and earnings to grow only 1.6%. Simonis Storm Securities downgraded MTC's stock from "buy" to "hold" and reduced its full-year earnings forecast and target share price to 1,035 cents.
Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta warned that Namibia's public debt could rise to 70% of GDP by the end of the current financial year without spending reforms, noting that debt has already exceeded the 60% benchmark and currently stands at 65.2% of GDP. The central bank says the government can no longer rely on borrowing to fund expenditure and cautioned against borrowing against future oil revenues.
Trustco Group Holdings Limited has advised shareholders to exercise caution when trading its shares as the company proceeds with delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Namibia Securities Exchange, and the OTCQX Market. The company first announced the delisting consideration in January 2025 and said the process includes appointing an independent expert to provide an updated fairness opinion.
Namibian vehicle sales fell 20.6% month-on-month to 1,320 units in April, though cumulative four-month sales of 5,155 units remain 10.6% ahead of the same 2025 period and the strongest year-to-date showing since 2018. Simonis Storm Securities attributed the monthly pullback to the natural unwinding of March's surge driven by commercial fleet deliveries and rental activity, not a broader softening of demand.
Namibia's vehicle market slowed in April with total sales falling to 1,320 units from 1,662 units in March, though April sales remained 5.7% higher than April 2025. Analysts at Simonis Storm Securities attributed the decline to a natural unwinding of March's record-breaking performance, which was driven by fleet deliveries and rental sector demand, while noting the year-to-date performance remains strong at 10.6% growth.
Economist Almandro Jansen warns that Namibia's debt situation is becoming a cash-flow and refinancing challenge as government relies on continuous domestic borrowing, with a total financing requirement of approximately N$29.22 billion (10.2% of GDP) for 2026/27, though the country remains capable of funding itself.
Namibia's private sector credit growth eased to 4.3% in March 2026 from 4.7% in February, with total credit at N$123.3 billion. Household borrowing gained momentum to 4.1% year-on-year—its highest in the current cycle—driven by stronger mortgage lending, instalment credit, and overdrafts, while corporate lending showed seasonal fluctuations.
Simonis Storm Securities has maintained a hold recommendation on Paratus Namibia Holdings after the company reported revenue of N$381.3 million for the six months ended 31 December 2025, up 16.5% year-on-year, but posted a total comprehensive loss of N$36.3 million. The analyst attributed the weaker earnings to ongoing investment in the mobile network launched in September 2025, though customer growth in mobile, SkyFi, and fibre services is beginning to improve.
Economist Almandro Jansen argues that Namibia's emerging oil, gas and mineral wealth could drive long-term economic transformation or deepen structural challenges depending on governance and institutional reform. Singapore transformed from a low-income economy (US$500 GDP per capita in 1965) into a high-income hub (exceeding US$100,000 by 2025), while Namibia has reached upper-middle-income status with roughly US$5,000 GNI per capita but remains constrained by high unemployment, limited diversification, and rising fiscal pressures.
Namibia sold 1,069 Japanese vehicles in March, making Japan the country's largest vehicle source and driving total March sales to 1,662 units—a 43% monthly increase and the strongest March performance since 2015. Japanese brands accounted for 64.3% of total sales, with commercial vehicle purchases surging 57.1% to a record 916 units, supported by demand from logistics, mining, agriculture, and energy sectors.
New vehicle sales in February reached 1,165 units, a 4.1% year-on-year increase, driven by robust demand in mining, agriculture, and energy sectors. Analysts expect continued strength from construction activity at new uranium, gold, copper mines and offshore oil and gas exploration.
An economist from Simonis Storm Securities says Namibia's 2026/27 budget represents a stabilisation framework under financial constraint, with GDP growth revised to 3.1% and projected to recover only modestly. The budget reveals structural vulnerabilities: revenue remains heavily exposed to SACU volatility and commodity cycles, public debt is projected to stabilise at an elevated 67.5% of GDP, and interest payments will consume nearly 18% of total revenue, crowding out fiscal space for other priorities.
A macroeconomic risk analysis by Simonis Storm Securities warns that if foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) disrupts Namibia's access to key international beef markets, the country could lose up to N$2.5 billion in export revenue over six months, with potential GDP growth reduction of 0.5 percentage points. Although Namibia remains FMD-free, recent outbreaks in Botswana and South Africa—particularly a case reported last month in South Africa's Northern Cape province, which borders Namibia—heighten the risk to the country's livestock sector and livelihoods of 70,000 to 90,000 workers in the industry.
Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah is presenting Namibia's 2026–2027 National Budget to Parliament as the country faces structural revenue challenges, rising public debt, and fiscal constraints. Government revised its revenue forecast downward to N$89.4 billion, while public debt is projected to reach N$177 billion (about 60% of GDP), with fixed costs consuming roughly 60% of expenditure.