AGP Executive Report

Inflation Watch: Namibia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.1% in May, up from 3.5% a year earlier, with core inflation at 3.1% and Khomas (Zone 2) hitting the highest rate at 5.4%. Road Safety Clash: A Windhoek High Court ruling on Western Bypass speed humps is set for 30 June after an urgent bid to have them removed; the Roads Authority says it spent about N$704,000, not N$12 million. Water Diplomacy: Namibia is set to host the Global Water Partnership Organisation’s headquarters, with a Global Investment Facility aiming to mobilise US$15bn by 2030. Energy & Trade: Sea transport remained Namibia’s top export channel in April, carrying goods worth N$3.8bn (39% of exports), while ReconAfrica begins production tests at Kavango West-1. Mining Moves: Namibia Critical Metals starts drilling at Lofdal for a maiden resource, and Ongwe Minerals closes its capital raise early after strong local demand. Community & Culture: Debmarine Namibia donates furniture to Blouwes Primary hostel; Kavango East honours top teachers and learners; Ovambanderu marks 130 years since chief Nguvauva’s execution.

Sports & Tourism: Namibia’s World Cup moment is getting closer as the ICC locks in the 2027 ODI World Cup window (Oct 4–Nov 21) with a return to the 14-team format, and venues across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia including Victoria Falls. Youth Sport: FNB Namibia officially launches the 19th Classic Clashes school sports series, backing basketball, football, netball and rugby with N$1.6m for 46 schools. Health: Namibia’s health ministry rolls out a new complaints management system and SOP, aiming to improve accountability after public frustration over alleged neglect, poor communication and unauthorised sharing of patient info. Public Interest: Court orders the state to pay activists damages after unlawful arrest and detention tied to a 2023 unemployment protest. Business & Development: Namibia’s AIDA-AfCFTA assessment points to big trade potential, including $816m in unrealised export value within Africa. Community & Culture: Ally Tobias announces Ehangano Concert Vol. 2 on 4 July at the National Theatre, with proceeds supporting the Orlindi Orphanage.

Agriculture & Climate Resilience: Namibia launched a drought-preparedness programme worth about US$2.99m, rolling out climate-smart farming support across five regions with solar irrigation, shade nets, hydroponics, inputs and farmer training. Trade & Regional Integration: Namibia became a pilot country for the AIDA–AfCFTA Country Impact Assessment, with officials citing large unrealised export potential and plans to plug into regional value chains. Water Governance: Government reaffirmed its commitment to global water cooperation, while Kavango West residents fear the costly Kavango–Grootfontein water link could slow local development. Health Accountability: The health ministry introduced a new complaints management system to speed up patient concerns and enforce response timelines. Migration Reform: Public consultations on a new Migration Bill have concluded, aiming to modernise immigration with digital visas, payments and case tracking. Energy & Fuel Politics: Opposition questioned a controversial Vitol fuel supply deal, warning it could strain public finances and downstream competition. Cricket: The ICC provisionally set the Men’s ODI World Cup 2027 for Oct 4–Nov 21 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with Namibia set to host three matches. Business & Investment: Old Mutual Private Equity and Carlyle exited TiAuto Investments, selling to Marubeni; Namibia also launched an SME grant fund for eligible micro, small and medium businesses.

Criminal Justice: The Judicial Service Commission has restarted the search for a new Prosecutor-General after none of eight shortlisted candidates passed a written assessment, with the top score at 49%—the post has been acting since Martha Imalwa’s term ended in December 2025. Public Health: WHO warns vaping is being aggressively marketed to teens, citing Namibia’s 2024 school survey showing 23% of 13–17-year-olds use vaping products. Local Roads: Walvis Bay’s road woes are blamed on high groundwater, ageing underground services, tough ground conditions and heavy port traffic, after the works deputy minister convened an urgent infrastructure meeting. Water & Climate: A “triple-win” water security plan is proposed for central Namibia as climate pressures intensify. Connectivity: CRAN says it received 624 appeals against its Starlink licence rejection, reflecting frustration over patchy 4G coverage. Mining & Energy: QatarEnergy reports another offshore oil discovery in Namibia’s Orange Basin, while Askari Metals highlights extensive polymetallic mineralisation at Uis and Navachab moves toward underground gold mining. Sports: Cricket Namibia appoints Justin Kemp as director of cricket; Namibia’s women beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in LA28 qualifiers, while the men lost to Zambia.

Energy & Mining: ReconAfrica has started production testing at its Kavango West 1X discovery well, aiming to judge commercial oil potential in Namibia’s Damara Fold Belt, while Shell and partners report “most promising” subsurface results at Merlin-1X in PEL 0039. Lithium Push: Andrada Mining says new drilling at Lithium Ridge confirms consistent high-grade lithium mineralisation, with tin and tantalum also present. Local Business & Jobs: Letshego’s employee benefit costs jumped to N$147 million in 2025, and African Aquaculture Company welcomed a first Namibian private investor, Omankete, in a N$40 million offshore salmon farming deal. Trade & Economy: Namibia’s trade deficit widened to N$4.4 billion in April as imports outpaced exports. Governance & Courts: A Mariental councillor was withdrawn hours after swearing-in over alleged unlawful appointment, and activists won damages after an unlawful arrest and detention case. Road Safety Debate: IPC MP Nelson Kalangula slammed speed humps on the B1 Western Bypass as reactive and short-sighted, warning of collision risks and traffic bottlenecks. Environment: Namibia protects only 1.69% of marine territory, far below the 30% “30 by 30” target. Sports: Hardik Pandya is set to miss India’s ODIs vs Afghanistan with a leg strain, while Rohit Sharma has rejoined the squad after fitness clearance.

Banking & Inclusion: Bank Windhoek officially opened its Goreangab Digital Banking Hub at Goreangab Mall, bringing in-person help and self-service banking closer to residents of Goreangab and Katutura, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attending. Energy & Offshore Oil: QatarEnergy announced a new offshore oil discovery at Merlin-1X in PEL 39, calling results the most promising in the licence so far and boosting confidence in Namibia’s Orange Basin. Public Finance Pressure: The Bank of Namibia warned public debt could climb to around 70% of GDP if spending reforms stall, as debt already sits at 65.2% and interest costs bite. Health System Focus: Namibia could see cancer cases rise sharply by 2045 unless prevention and early detection improve, while the National Assembly adopted a mental health amendment bill to modernise care and strengthen patient protections. Local Government & Safety: Windhoek’s Western Bypass speed humps sparked political backlash over whether proper engineering studies were done, with MPs questioning delays and traffic impacts. Housing & Sanitation Emergency: President Nandi-Ndaitwah declared housing and sanitation a national emergency, enabling faster action under disaster risk rules. Corruption Probe: The ACC issued a summons to a health ministry bid committee member over allegations of procurement manipulation and medicine theft.

Uranium & Critical Minerals: Tanzania says President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s Russia visit has revived the Mkuju River uranium project, with tenders launched and output expected at about 4,000 tonnes a year. Lithium Update: Aim-listed Andrada Mining confirms more high-grade lithium at its Lithium Ridge in Namibia, including 2.28% Li2O over more than 9m and 3.46% Li2O in a richer section. Conservation in the Region: KAZA meetings have started in Victoria Falls as Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe push a united front on wildlife conservation and elephant trade. Parliament Oversight: Namibia’s National Council is meeting in Otjiwarongo to plan and budget for 2026/27, focusing on stronger parliamentary oversight and public participation. Cancer Care Boost: WHO has launched a Cancer Impact Review Mission in Namibia to assess prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and financing, with recommendations expected after five days. Health Infrastructure: Swakopmund Hospital inaugurated a new N$30m Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to cut neonatal mortality and reduce families’ need to travel to Windhoek. Telecom & Connectivity: CRAN says it received 624 appeals to reconsider its Starlink ban, while Telecom Namibia signed a wholesale fibre access deal with Lightstruck. Energy & Transport: Namibia launched a pilot EV charging station in Windhoek and is planning a national charging network; meanwhile, the Presidency denies links to an N$612m solar project tied to the Tsumeb smelter. Sports Clarification: Namibia denies it is part of any 2028 AFCON co-hosting bid.

Road Safety Push: Namibia’s Roads Authority will install speed humps on Windhoek’s B1 Western Bypass and A1 after crash concerns and public backlash, with the move set to spark fresh debate on whether it improves safety or worsens traffic. Municipal Finance Pressure: Windhoek says government ministries still owe it more than N$20 million in municipal arrears. Energy & Environment: Environmental lawyers warn renewable energy projects could harm ecosystems unless safeguards are enforced, while CRAN says it has received 624 applications for reconsideration of its decisions. Rural Development: Capricorn Foundation approved an extra N$1.2 million for the Rural Revive initiative in Maltahöhe to consolidate waste, horticulture and skills gains. Wildlife & Trade: KAZA states meeting in Victoria Falls seeks a united front on wildlife conservation and elephant product trade. Transport & Licensing: Okahandja’s Natis centre starts computerised learner licence testing with online booking and payments, rolling out to other towns by March 2027. Business & Governance: TransNamib reports a break-in at its CEO office and theft of laptops; Namibia’s Supreme Court also dismissed Red Soil’s offshore oil licence challenge. Sports & Culture: Namibia denies any approval for a joint Southern Africa AFCON 2028 bid, and Swakopmund wrapped up its youth entrepreneurship initiative, backing 85 entrepreneurs.

Child Protection & Safety: Windhoek City Council adopted a motion calling for urgent national action against Angolan child beggars at traffic intersections, citing risks to children and road users and directing the Mayor’s office to engage relevant authorities. Telecom Accountability: CRAN ordered Telecom Namibia to fix nationwide network instability, giving it four months to stabilise services after outages linked to equipment failures, power issues, fibre breaks and copper theft. Gender in Security: Namibia marked a milestone as 382 women out of 670 cadets graduated from the Police Basic Training Course in Gobabis. Health Upgrade: Erongo opened a modern NICU at Swakopmund District Hospital to improve survival for newborns, with beds across standard, high-care, intensive and isolation categories. Sports & Community: Prime Minister Ngurare flagged substandard Nkurenkuru sport facilities and urged stakeholders to unlock funds; in football, Square 7 stunned Blue Waters in the NFA Cup and women’s NFA Cup Round of 16 delivered penalty drama. Regulation & Connectivity: CRAN received 624 public reconsideration applications after rejecting Starlink’s licence bid, saying it will follow legal processes. Energy & Trade: Namibia denied links to an Afcon 2028 hosting bid, while Namibia’s Korea–Africa foreign ministers meeting in Seoul focused on trade, investment and critical minerals cooperation.

Road Safety: The Roads Authority is installing speed humps on the B1 Western Bypass in Windhoek, with one lane closed at a time between the Independence Avenue Interchange and the Lafrenz Interchange, after pedestrian-related crashes and fatalities. Fatal Crash: Police confirm two men died in a B2 road accident between Swakopmund and Arandis when a sedan collided with a truck and trailer; the truck driver survived. Immigration Warning: The Ministry of Home Affairs warns travellers not to use private e-visa platforms or agents, saying Namibia’s official platform is the only safe route and that losses from private sites are the user’s risk. Media Freedom: Stakeholders warn that Namibia’s press freedom rankings don’t match day-to-day realities, with concerns about intimidation and threats to justice actors and journalists. Elections Oversight: The Electoral Commission has submitted its 2025 election review to Parliament, including recommendations to strengthen electoral integrity. Child Protection: Namibia reaffirmed its commitment to ending violence against children, highlighting online exploitation and child participation through structures like the Children’s Parliament. Business & Jobs: NamPost appoints Rivan Meyer to lead financial services, while Pupkewitz Goldwagen opens a new Windhoek parts branch creating jobs.

Fuel & governance clarity: In Parliament, Industries Minister Modestus Amutse moved to end confusion over the “Vitol” fuel arrangement, saying there is “only one Vitol” supplying Namibia via administrative structures in South Africa and registered as Vitol Bahrain. Local government cash crunch: Councils are bracing as a N$162m municipal-debt deadline looms, with government entities and businesses behind on payments and threats of service cut-offs. Regional integration: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed SACU’s importance as a key regional pillar, stressing Namibia’s role in keeping the union relevant in new global economic arrangements. Presidency denies solar link: State House rejected IPC claims tying the President to the Sinomine-Massaus solar project, saying the Head of State was not involved in negotiation, financing, approval or implementation. Windhoek safety update: Windhoek recorded a 14% drop in murders in the first five months of 2026, though theft of motor vehicles and armed robberies rose. Children at intersections: Windhoek City Council moved to address child begging and selling at traffic lights, referring the matter for further recommendations. Health service expansion: A new dialysis unit in Walvis Bay will serve 54 state patients in Erongo, reducing long-distance travel for treatment. Sports & culture: Stormers added Pine Pienaar to its coaching setup for the Currie Cup, while residents welcomed the opening of Goreangab Mall as a jobs and cost-saving boost.

Citizenship misinformation warning: Namibia’s Home Affairs ministry says citizenship and national documents are only granted after strict legal checks, and being born in Namibia does not automatically qualify; it urges the public to rely on official information. SACU spotlight: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed SACU as a key regional economic pillar, stressing the need for the union to adapt to new global arrangements. Solar deal denial: The Presidency rejected IPC claims linking Nandi-Ndaitwah to the Sinomine-Massaus solar project, saying the President was not involved in negotiation or approvals. Windhoek safety update: Windhoek recorded a 14% drop in murders in the first five months of 2026, with robberies, theft and break-ins down—though armed robberies and assaults rose. Goreangab Mall opens: Residents welcomed the new mall in Katutura, saying it brings jobs, cuts transport costs and boosts local business access. Erongo dialysis unit: A new public dialysis facility at Walvis Bay District Hospital will serve 54 state patients, reducing long travel to private services. Street children at intersections: Windhoek council moved to address child begging and selling at major junctions, referring the matter for further recommendations. Cheetah conservation hit: KGP11, an Indian-born female cheetah at Kuno National Park, died during treatment; Namibia’s cheetah reintroduction programme faces another setback. Fuel relief questioned: UNAM students say government fuel-price cushioning measures are not easing daily costs enough for students and low-income households. Women in media: Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged fairer portrayal of women leaders, warning biased coverage erodes confidence and discourages public participation.

Housing & Local Governance: IPC wants Namibia’s urban housing crisis declared a national emergency, citing a backlog of over 300,000 units and slow land servicing by local authorities. NALAO also questioned Omaruru CEO Valentinus Sindongo’s suspension, saying it may breach due process and fair labour practices. Tourism Regulation: The Namibia Tourism Board warned that unregistered short-term accommodation is unlawful, including rentals via online platforms, with fines and possible jail time. Public Services & Justice: Education Ministry says NSFAF is clearing legitimate student payments and will process non-tuition fees weekly from mid-June. In court, Jandré Dippenaar’s High Court bid to overturn his murder conviction was dismissed. Economy & Business: President Nandi-Ndaitwah hailed the new Goreangab Mall as a symbol of inclusion and job creation. Agriculture & Health: LPO urged farmers to tighten biosecurity as foot-and-mouth disease risk remains at borders. Sports & Culture: Volleyball qualifiers for LA28 kick off in Harare next week with Namibia among the teams; NBC marked 35 years of broadcasting.

Road Safety in Windhoek: The Roads Authority has started installing speed humps on the B1 Western Bypass and parts of the A1 south of Windhoek to cut pedestrian fatalities, with one lane closed at a time and temporary delays expected. Telecom Namibia Scrutiny: CRAN says Telecom Namibia’s instability can’t be fixed with short-term fixes and calls for significant capital investment to modernise and consolidate the network after repeated nationwide outages. Justice Access in Oshikoto: The Omuthiya Periodical Court will open on Monday, 8 June, offering criminal cases, marriages, maintenance disputes and bail services closer to residents. Commonwealth Games Team Namibia: Namibia’s NNOC announced a 39-member delegation for Glasgow (23 July–2 August), with 23 athletes across six codes. Genocide Remembrance Day Debate: Commentaries question whether this year’s commemoration was a “relative success” and argue for stronger, more purposeful remembrance. Baby Abandonment Law Questioned: Writers discuss Namibia’s safe abandonment provisions for newborns, but warn that real-world readiness—sites, staff and public awareness—must match the law. Community Gardens at Market Day: Shoprite Market Day put Otjombinde and other community gardeners in the spotlight, linking fresh produce sales to food security and small-business support.

Telecom Namibia: Telecom Namibia has unveiled a new board of directors (effective 3 June 2026 to 2 June 2029) as it pushes its transformation plan, including network modernisation and digital infrastructure. Digital Infrastructure: Telecom Namibia also signed a partnership with Demshi to expand fibre-optic coverage using Demshi’s open-access network, targeting areas hit by copper theft and vandalism. Competition Watch: The Namibian Competition Commission approved 11 merger deals across mining, energy, tourism and property, but attached conditions to two mining transactions to protect jobs, skills development and local participation in the uranium value chain. Governance Concern: Namibia’s National Youth Service has been operating with only four board members for over a year, below the statutory minimum, raising compliance and governance risk questions. Public Safety: A six-year-old boy reported missing in Windhoek has been found and is in the care of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare. Health & Regional Risk: Namibia has confirmed an mpox outbreak in Swakopmund, with health officials activating surveillance and contact tracing. Energy Transition: A SADC initiative launched in Lusaka aims to build sustainable energy-transition mineral value chains across the region, including Namibia, from March 2026 to February 2031. Local Life: Swakopmund unveiled a new welcome sign to boost tourism, while the town also reported two suicide incidents within days.