PARCEL SERVICES DRIVE POSTAL INDUSTRY GROWTH
Parcel services have become the primary driver of growth in the postal industry. Speaking at the recently held Southern African Postal Operators Association (SAPOA) Postal Forum, NamPost CEO Festus Hangula highlighted the shift, noting that while traditional mail volumes have decreased, parcel services are experiencing an unprecedented surge.
He called for strategic reforms, urging postal operators to adapt operationally and policymakers to support the sector’s commercial growth.
“The logistics industry will not wait for us to get our ducks in a row. We must claim our position as the best logistics operators in this fast-growing market,” he added.
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) Chief Executive Officer Emilia Nghikembua also spoke at the event, commending NamPost for its strategic investments in last-mile delivery, e-commerce logistics, and technological innovation, positioning it as one of Africa’s leading postal operators.
“The postal sector is not just about delivering packages, it is about delivering possibilities, connecting people, and empowering economies,” she said.
WHISTLEBLOWER TIPS LEAD TO N$3.4 MILLION RECOVERY BY NAMRA
The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has recovered N$3.4 million from three companies in November and December 2024, following assessments worth N$15.8 million.
“Launched last year, the NamRA Whistleblowing Hotline, independently managed by Deloitte Namibia, has proven to be a critical tool in enhancing transparency and accountability,” the agency said.
According to NamRA, Since its inception, the hotline has received 60 reports related to fraud, corruption, tax evasion, alleged money laundering, drug smuggling, and unethical behavior.
WINDHOEK FACES 3,000-STALL SHORTAGE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Currently, the capital has 17 officially recognised permanent open markets, one communal car wash facility, two product- focused crafts markets, and periodic markets.
However, Windhoek Mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja stated that these facilities are insufficient, leaving many small businesses and start-ups struggling to access capital and trading spaces.
To address this shortfall, Larandja announced that the City Council has approved the Informal Market Master Plan, first introduced in 2022.
“Once implemented, the Master Plan will positively transform the entrepreneurial landscape of the City. Development of additional markets will be done in a collaborative spirit through Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), Joint Venture (JV), and other means,” she said.
“If any investor can come on board to fund the construction of open markets, operate them for a certain period, and then at the end transfer them to the City, as well as through joint ventures where the City and funders come together to pool resources for the development of the city,” the Mayor said.
NACC TO OVERHAUL FINES, TARGETS NEW RULES FOR GREEN HYDROGEN AND AI
The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) is set to review its fining fees and penalties while expanding its regulatory scope to accommodate emerging industries.
NaCC Chief Executive Officer Vitalis Ndalikokule said the review will assess whether existing penalties remain an effective deterrent.
The review according to NaCC CEO, is part of the commission’s new five-year strategy, spanning from 2025 to 2030, which aims to modernise competition regulations to cover new and evolving industries.
“The economy is growing. There are new sectors, new industries that are coming in. Those new sectors and new industries might not be properly catered for in the current law,” Ndalikokule noted.
He identified green hydrogen and artificial intelligence as key industries requiring regulatory oversight.
Ndalikokule made these remarks at the Competition Law Seminar, hosted by Candace Competition Law Advisory Service (CCLAS) for procurement and compliance officers.
GOVT APPROVES CREATION OF 11,438 NEW HEALTH POSITIONS
The government has approved the creation of 11,438 new positions within the Ministry of Health and Social Services aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery across the country.
Speaking at the launch of its Customer Service Charter on Monday, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula, said the expansion will improve staffing at health centres and district hospitals, reducing patient referrals to distant facilities and ensuring accessible, high-quality healthcare.
He further explained that in the past month, 80 new doctors were deployed to Oshakati and Katutura Intermediate Hospitals, while additional nurses and pharmacists have been recruited nationwide.
The ministry is actively working to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, with a focus on establishing Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in all 34 districts, expanding dialysis services, and establishing health posts in rural areas.
These developments are part of a five-year plan to reinforce key healthcare components, including human resources, infrastructure, medical technology and pharmaceutical supply chains.
