Also known as: WEF
International summit organization that held its 56th annual meeting in Davos in January 2026, featuring nearly 3,000 leaders and launching an Africa Collective Hub.
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The Namibian
World Economic Forum released 2024 Global Gender Gap report
“The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its 2024 Global Gender Gap report and although it shows that female representation is improving, full gender parity is still some way off.”
Gender parity is at least 134 years away, WEF report showsPresident 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.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia aims to increase sport's contribution to employment from approximately 1% to 3.5% by 2030, with the government calling on institutions, sports bodies and the private sector to support this goal. The initiative was highlighted at the Creative Sport Tourism Expo, where officials emphasised the need for quality coaching, safe facilities, regular competitions and professional administration to develop talent and connect athletes to opportunity.
2 September 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah became the fifth president and first woman to hold the office on 21 March 2025, alongside the country's first woman vice president Lucia Witbooi and first woman speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, making Namibia the first country with women in all three top leadership positions. The article discusses Linda Robinson's book 'Women in Power: Fighting for Democracy in an Age of Authoritarianism', which explores how misogynistic authoritarianism, digital disinformation and sexualised attacks are used to push women out of power.
4 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Improper disposal of disposable nappies is contributing to pollution and pressure on waste management systems in Oshikoto region, particularly in Onyaanya, Oniipa and Onayena constituencies, according to a Strategic Environmental Assessment for the regional land-use plan.
7 June 2026 · The Namibian →
André du Pisani, an emeritus professor of politics, argues that the United States under Trump pursues a "predatory" form of realism that undermines global multilateralism and institutions. He calls for Namibia to conduct a comprehensive audit of its foreign relations and adopt a more integrated policy approach encompassing development, security, and economic diplomacy.
21 February 2026 · The Namibian →
A new surgical teaching hospital in Ndola, Zambia, established in 2011, aims to train doctors locally so they remain in their home countries rather than migrate to wealthier nations. The initiative addresses Africa's healthcare brain drain, which leaves poorer nations with fewer medical resources and worse health outcomes.
28 January 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that Namibia must openly debate and declare its foreign policy position amid global tensions, cautioning that the country's current alignment with Russia and China—despite rhetoric of non-alignment—could jeopardize trade benefits and put it at odds with multilateral principles that facilitated its independence. The author contrasts Namibia's closed policy discussions with South Africa's public commitment to strengthening the UN-based multilateral order.
28 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Israel said it would allow only pedestrian passage through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt following the recovery of the last hostage remains, as part of a limited reopening under a truce framework announced by US President Donald Trump. The crossing has remained closed since Israeli forces took control during the war and is vital for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
27 January 2026 · New Era →
Russian, Ukrainian, and US negotiators met in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to discuss a Trump administration proposal to end the war. Both sides remain deadlocked over control of eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, with Russia demanding full Ukrainian withdrawal and Kyiv rejecting such terms.
24 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia is advancing plans to develop nuclear power generation through international partnerships and compliance with global benchmarks, with the National Planning Commission director noting the move aims to diversify the mining sector, reduce electricity imports, and capture greater value from uranium production. The government has approved a National Nuclear Industry Strategy that includes establishing a Nuclear Institute of Namibia and transferring atomic energy administration to the National Planning Commission.
24 January 2026 · The Namibian →
An editorial argues that Namibia's recent ministerial visit to Russia marks a pragmatic shift from historical solidarity to practical economic cooperation, with bilateral trade nearly doubling in 2024 and new opportunities in uranium, agriculture, and value-added manufacturing.
23 January 2026 · New Era →
US President Donald Trump withdrew an invitation for Canada to join his newly established 'Board of Peace' international organization, following tensions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney over economic coercion and global power dynamics. Canada had indicated willingness to join but declined to pay a proposed $1 billion membership fee for permanent members.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The 56th World Economic Forum opened in Davos this week with nearly 3,000 attendees, including 60 heads of state and government, focused on cooperation, growth and innovation. Africa's presence is being amplified through the Africa Collective Hub, which will highlight trade, investment and technology priorities, while the WEF announced plans to revive its Africa Summit in 2027 after a seven-year hiatus.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →
President Trump said the US has formed a "framework" for a potential deal on Greenland and the Arctic region after talks with NATO, abandoning threats to impose tariffs on European allies. Diplomatic sources indicated there was no agreement for American control of the autonomous Danish territory, though talks on mineral rights and military cooperation could continue.
22 January 2026 · The Namibian →
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced the bloc plans "massive" investments in Greenland to counter US President Donald Trump's threats to take the autonomous Danish territory and secure Arctic interests. Von der Leyen warned against punitive tariffs on European allies and pledged a "unflinching, united and proportional" response, while suggesting the EU could direct defence spending toward Arctic security capabilities.
21 January 2026 · New Era →
US president Donald Trump has reiterated his intent to acquire Greenland, warning "there is no going back" and threatening 10% tariffs on eight European countries and 200% tariffs on French wine if they oppose the takeover. European leaders including French president Macron and EU Commission president Von der Leyen have rejected the proposal as a violation of Greenland and Denmark's sovereignty, with Macron calling for "respect to bullies" and the "rule of law to brutality."
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The World Economic Forum said Iran's foreign minister will not attend this week's Davos summit, citing the "tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks" and stating it would not be "right" for the Iranian government to be represented. The decision came after activists and rights groups called for his disinvitation amid a deadly government crackdown on protesters; Iran Human Rights says at least 3,428 protesters have been killed.
20 January 2026 · New Era →
The World Economic Forum's 56th Annual Meeting will take place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from 19–23 January 2026, bringing together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue." The meeting will feature record governmental participation with 400 top political leaders including close to 65 heads of state and government, nearly 850 CEOs, and technology pioneers, to address geopolitical fragmentation and rapid technological change.
15 January 2026 · New Era →