… Compare that to the countries doing the lecturing: The United States (US) – whose 16–16.5% IMF voting share gives it an effective veto over Fund governance – is carrying gross federal debt equivalent to roughly 122–125% of GDP as of mid-2026. …
… He said Namibia could not ignore Cuba’s current difficulties, which he attributed partly to the economic embargo by the United States and other challenges facing the country. …
Staff Reporter THE United States has reaffirmed its support for Namibia’s efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, highlighting the country’s first Environmental Crimes Court in Otjiwarongo as an important institution in tackling transnational organised crime. …
… Chikune says her decision to start a music career was inspired after she won the senior vocalist of the world award at the World Championships of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, United States, in 2012. …
Afrocat Sports Club has received its third donation from Alexandria Titans Volleyball Club in Virginia, United States, strengthening an international partnership that has supported the Namibian club’s grassroots volleyball development since 2021. …
Staff Reporter THE United States has pledged to support Namibia in translating its offshore petroleum discoveries into long-term economic benefits, including jobs for Namibians, opportunities for local businesses, skills development and broader economic growth. …
Staff Reporter THE United States is seeking to deepen its economic and energy partnership with Namibia, with a senior US delegation holding high-level engagements focused on energy security, critical minerals, infrastructure, investment and emerging technologies. …
… The Presidency confirmed that the president’s September 2025 visit to the United States included a major business component alongside her diplomatic engagements. …
… In March, a resolution was passed at the United Nations recognising slavery as “the greatest crime against humanity” – though the United States voted against the resolution and every European nation abstained from the vote. …
An independent review finds that the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project's economic case remains incomplete, with updated financial, environmental and fisheries assessments needed before its projected benefits can be established. The review notes that while available evidence does not support declaring the project uneconomic, it also lacks sufficient basis to establish the scale and durability of its benefits, citing concerns over phosphate price volatility and a 20-year operating life.
An independent review finds that the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project's economic case remains incomplete, with updated financial, environmental and fisheries assessments needed before its projected benefits can be established. The review notes that while available evidence does not support declaring the project uneconomic, it also lacks sufficient basis to establish the scale and durability of its benefits, citing concerns over phosphate price volatility and a 20-year operating life.
Namibia and the United States announced a planned, phased reduction of US financial assistance for Namibia's HIV-AIDS response, with US support to transition over the next year from financial assistance to a technical cooperation model. This follows Namibia's achievement of HIV-AIDS epidemic control and surpassing of global targets, including reaching 96-98-98 and exceeding the UNAIDS 95-95-95 fast-track targets.
The Canadian oil and gas company announced a bought-deal public offering of 20.548 million units at C$0.73 each to fund exploration and production testing in its Namibia operations, with proceeds targeting open-hole horizontal sidetrack and production testing in the Huttenberg and Elandshoek formations.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the Creative Sport Tourism Expo at Hage Geingob Stadium, calling for sport, tourism and creative industries to be connected and leveraged to drive economic growth in Namibia.
Paladin Energy's Langer Heinrich Mine in Erongo has 21 million pounds of uranium contracted through 2030, with 44% of 2026–2030 contracted volumes at base-escalated and fixed pricing and the remainder linked to market prices. The mine sold 4.35 million pounds of uranium oxide during the 2026 financial year at an average price of US$70 per pound.
Namibia's government reaffirmed its support for lifting the US embargo on Cuba but clarified that N$700 000 raised by Namibia-Cuba solidarity groups is a private initiative, not a government contribution. The Ministry of International Relations and Trade encouraged citizens to support the fundraising campaign while maintaining Namibia's advocacy for Cuba on bilateral, regional and multilateral platforms.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema's second-term inauguration in Lusaka, where she urged him to use his renewed mandate to unite the country, strengthen democracy, and ensure all citizens benefit from national resources. Hichilema promised to move Zambia from economic stabilisation to growth and extended unity to those who voted against him.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah joined regional and international leaders in Lusaka for the inauguration of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema for his second five-year term. Hichilema pledged to shift his administration's focus from economic stabilisation to growth and expanding opportunities.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah travelled to Lusaka to attend the inauguration of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema for his second term, joining other SADC leaders and international dignitaries at the ceremony at National Heroes Stadium.
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The 39-year-old said the decision was painful but right, noting he always gave everything for his country.
Namibia's government has rejected a US proposal for health data and specimen-sharing worth over N$145 million per year for HIV and tuberculosis programmes, citing sovereignty and privacy violations. The US withdrew the biological specimen component in November 2025, though data-sharing negotiations continue.
Escalating Middle East conflict and global oil supply disruptions have driven up international crude prices, with petrol increasing by 60c and diesel by 160c per litre as of 2 September. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 25% of the world's oil supplies, has caused oil prices to spike to around US$120 a barrel.
Namibian fuel prices are set to increase effective 2 September 2026, with ULP95 rising 60 cents per litre and both diesel grades rising N$1.60 per litre, driven by geopolitical volatility and disruptions in global oil markets stemming from Middle East tensions.
Activist Michael Amushelelo launched a petition to have US Ambassador John Giordano declared persona non grata, citing concerns about American interest in Namibia's oil, gas, and critical minerals amid worries about foreign interference in the country's sovereignty and resources. The petition, which received over 500 signatures, will be forwarded to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Namibia and the US are negotiating new health sector funding to determine the future of HIV financing in the country, with negotiations intensifying since US President Donald Trump's return to power and the dismantling of USAID. The talks are contentious over data-sharing provisions, with recipient countries concerned that deals tie health aid to data access and critical minerals, though a US government source claims negotiations do not include sharing of personally identifiable data.
A Windhoek Observer opinion piece argues that Namibian farmers face inherent disadvantages—vast distances, limited arable land, variable rainfall, and high input costs—that make them uncompetitive against subsidised regional and international producers, and calls for a deliberate national subsidy strategy rather than fragmented support.
Namibia has taken a leading role in advocating for the election of the first-ever woman as the next secretary-general of the United Nations. International relations minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi made this stance known during a working visit to the Republic of Congo, noting that after 80 years the UN has never had a female secretary-general, though multiple women are contesting to succeed current secretary-general António Guterres, whose second and final term ends on 31 December 2026. Namibia, Brazil, Mexico, Antigua and Barbuda, and over 110 member states have expressed strong support for electing the first female UN secretary-general.
Namibian activist Michael Amushelelo has launched a petition calling on the government to declare United States Ambassador John Giordano persona non grata, citing concerns over Namibia's sovereignty and foreign influence over the country's natural resources, particularly following major oil discoveries.
US Ambassador John Giordano, following a three-day field mission in Namibia, urged stronger law-enforcement focus on transnational criminal networks behind rhino poaching, arguing efforts must extend beyond arresting poachers to identifying traffickers, following money flows, and disrupting overseas markets.
At least 95 people died in Nepal and three in Tibet after catastrophic flash floods and a suspected ice-rock avalanche struck areas along the Nepal-China border, sweeping away homes, roads, bridges and infrastructure. Hundreds more are missing, including foreign nationals, and authorities warn the death toll could rise.
The IMF advised Namibia in August to tighten fiscal policy, cut the public wage bill, and pursue structural reforms to address rising public debt and borrowing costs. The article notes that Namibia had repaid its pandemic-era IMF loan in April and retired a major Eurobond in October, with 88% of its debt now domestic.
The 42 members of Namibia's National Council have collectively donated N$27,609 to the Namibia-Cuba Solidarity Campaign. Council chairperson Lukas Muha said the donation recognises Cuba's role in Namibia's liberation struggle and current support in health and education, and reflects the nations' shared history of solidarity.
The U.S. Ambassador to Namibia reaffirmed U.S. support for Namibia's efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, highlighting the country's Environmental Crimes Court in Otjiwarongo as crucial in tackling transnational organised crime. Since its inauguration in August 2024, the court has heard 50 wildlife crime cases, resulting in 47 convictions.
Tjikune Leitner, who performed as Chikune and won Namibia's artist of the year, has moved into medicine and currently works as a doctor at a private health centre in Rosh Pinah. She describes the shift as growth rather than a goodbye from music.
Afrocat Sports Club has received its third donation from Alexandria Titans Volleyball Club in Virginia, valued at approximately N$30,000, consisting mainly of volleyball kits and jerseys for the Namibian club's men's and women's teams. The partnership began in 2021 after the two clubs discovered similarities in their approach to developing young players.
The US Ambassador to Namibia says the country's offshore petroleum discoveries could deliver long-term economic benefits, jobs, and skills development, but cautioned that a Final Investment Decision would only mark the beginning of work needed to achieve lasting prosperity. US oilfield service companies are already operating in Namibia.
A US delegation led by Ambassador John Giordano, including officials from the State Department's energy and trade agencies, held high-level meetings with Namibian government officials and industry leaders to expand cooperation in energy security, critical minerals, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. The delegation also represented the US at the Namibian Mining Expo and met with the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy to discuss opportunities in these sectors.
Namibia's participation in the 2025 UN General Assembly generated several investment opportunities including a proposed Windhoek convention centre and energy and water projects, though a uranium-processing plant was eventually cancelled due to government approval delays. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's September visit to the United States included a major business component, with a business delegation of 35 delegates from 26 organisations representing sectors including renewable energy, agriculture, mining, and tourism.
The US ambassador says American companies and technology firms are providing expertise to help Namibia develop its oil resources, and the US is engaged in supporting infrastructure corridors including upgrades to Walvis Bay to connect Namibia's energy resources to global markets.
Ghana has tabled a UN resolution recognising transatlantic slavery as "the greatest crime against humanity" and hosted a reparations summit in Accra in June with delegates from around 80 countries, asserting that compensation from nations and institutions that benefited from slavery is overdue. The UK and US have resisted the reparations demands, though Ghana has been designated by the African Union as "champion for reparatory justice."