N$885M DEAL IN THE WORKS TO TRANSFORM NAMIBIA’S TELECOMS AND DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The Namibian government is in discussions with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to secure an investment exceeding N$885 million (US$50 million) to enhance the country’s telecommunications and digital infrastructure over the next five years.
The initiative, according to the World Bank, is expected to improve service quality, expand access, and enhance afordability within the sector.
Under the Harambee Prosperity Plan, Namibia has prioritised digitalising government services.
“In alignment with this strategy, the World Bank will provide advisory support to improve policies and regulations in the telecom and digital sectors, aiming to create a more competitive market and increase private sector participation. Despite plans for a new National Digital Strategy, progress has been slow, with Namibia ranked 121st on the UN E-Government Index, trailing regional peers. Advancing digital services remains critical for achieving CPF outcomes and enhancing service delivery nationwide,” the CPF report noted.
The framework outlines specific areas of focus, including developing a digital tax ecosystem for the Namibian Revenue Authority (NamRA), implementing a cross-government digital identity platform, and improving e-procurement systems. Additionally, a digital health blueprint will be developed to enhance healthcare outcomes.
BON’S STEAM PROGRAMME REACHES 480 LEARNERS ACROSS EIGHT SCHOOLS
The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has successfully implemented its Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programme in eight secondary schools, benefiting 480 learners.
“Since the inception of this program, the Bank has successfully implemented our STEAM program in eight secondary schools across different regions of our country. A total of 480 learners have benefited from these much-needed future-ft skills,” said BoN Deputy Governor Leonie Dunn.
Dunn noted, “The most remarkable innovation I have seen was from a student in the South who designed a concept to detect food contamination, helping prevent poisoning in her community. Another student developed an automated door-locking mechanism to address security concerns and the extreme cold affecting homeless individuals.
BoN has partnered with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, Minds in Action and Eduvision Namibia, to expand the programme’s reach.
The program aligns with the bank’s broader goal of preparing the Namibian workforce for a knowledge-based economy.
NAMIBIA’S SALT EXPORTS TO NIGERIA REACH N$93M
Namibia’s annual salt exports to Nigeria have surged to N$93 million (approximately $5 million), the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has revealed.
Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Penda Naanda, said that Mr. Chef, a salt product made from Namibian salt, controls approximately 60% of the Nigerian salt market.
The high-level meeting, which marked the first such engagement between the two nations in 14 years, reinforced Namibia and Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening economic ties.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was highlighted as an opportunity to enhance intra-African trade, reducing reliance on foreign markets and fostering continental economic growth.
“We equally look forward to seeing the following products as imports in our retail stores from Nigeria: processed cocoa products, cocoa paste, cocoa butter, chocolate, cocoa powder, root crops like yam, cassava, vegetable oil and seeds such as raw and processed shea nuts, cashew nuts, oil palm, groundnuts, soya, as well as apparel, among others,” he said.
NAMIBIA SET TO HARVEST FIRST LOCALLY GROWN BANANAS
Namibia is expected to harvest its frst locally grown bananas by September 2025, marking a signifcant milestone in the country’s agricultural sector, the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has announced.
The upcoming harvest follows the successful launch of a banana industry development trial in partnership with AvaGro.
In 2023, over 2,222 banana seedlings were planted at Mango Vulizi Farm in the Singalamwe area of the Zambezi Region as part of the initiative.
As part of eforts to expand the initiative, NAB recently announced planting additional banana crops at the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project in Ruacana. The expansion aims to assess the feasibility of large-scale banana production in Namibia.
NOPAL IN TALKS WITH CEMENT FIRMS ON CARBON MITIGATION
Nopal Renewable Energy Corporation has confrmed that it is in early-stage discussions with two major cement producers as part of its broader push to promote renewable energy solutions and carbon mitigation credits.
The company’s innovative use of the nopal cactus as a bioenergy feedstock is gaining attention, particularly for its sustainability and potential to transform arid, non- agricultural lands.
Stephen McNeill, a partner of Nopal Renewable Energy Corporation, confirmed the increased interest from heavy power-consuming industries.
“By shifting to renewable energy sources close to their operations, these companies can comply with global net-zero targets, substantially reduce their energy costs, and secure a stable, independent energy supply that supports both environmental and economic goals”
While the current talks involve companies outside Namibia, McNeill highlighted the broader applicability of Nopal’s solutions.
In Namibia, Nopal has already begun discussions with potential clients and plans to expand its farm in Maltahöhe.
NAMIBIA, SWEDEN STRENGTHEN MINING SECTOR COLLABORATION
Namibia seeks to bolster its mining sector through strategic collaboration with Sweden, focusing on value addition and sustainable mineral processing.
Speaking at the 10th session of the Namibia-Sweden Bilateral Working Group meeting, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Jennely Matundu highlighted the potential for Sweden’s advanced mining technology and expertise to enhance Namibia’s mineral benefication.
“We see scope to explore new growth opportunities in areas of renewable energies, value addition of minerals, tourism, information and communication technologies, transport, logistics management, and maritime, among others,” Matundu said.
“We recognise that people-to-people exchanges are crucial to bilateral ties, and we must continue to strengthen productivity, enhance business, explore investment and trade opportunities, and promote cultural exchanges,” she added.
