Observer Namibia

Old Mutual Namibia has appointed Sepo Haihambo as managing director designate for the Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIGNAM), effective 1 April 2026. Haihambo has more than 20 years of experience in banking, investment management and financial services.

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi said the government should explore exporting labour by sending qualified Namibians abroad and receiving remittances that can be ploughed back into society. This follows his concerns that 

The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), through its upstream unit Namcor Exploration and Production, has welcomed the start of production testing at the Kavango West-1X discovery well in PEL 73, onshore Namibia.

Two operating companies within the Ohlthaver & List Group (O&L) have received recognition at the SADC Quality Awards 2025/2026. Hartlief and O&L Leisure were awarded certificates of recognition at a ceremony held in Johannesburg on 25 March 2026.  Hartlief was recognised in Category 4: Exporter of the Year (Large Enterprise), while O&L Leisure received recognition in Category 3: Service of the Year (Large Enterprise).

The Bank of Namibia, in collaboration with the Payments Association of Namibia and the payments industry, has launched the National Payment System Vision and Strategy 2026–2030 under the theme “Inclusive Payments, Shared Prosperity: Charting the Next Era”. The strategy builds on progress made under the previous framework, which focused on modernising the payments system. Developments include regulatory reforms, wider use of digital payment services, improved interoperability across platforms and the adoption of standards such as ISO 20022, open banking and NAMQR code. These changes have supported growth in electronic funds transfers, card payments and e-money platforms.

The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has elected a new leadership team at its Annual General Meeting in Windhoek. Vetumbuavi Mungunda takes over as president from Bisey /Uirab, who remains on the board. Leake Hangala continues as an honorary director.

INCREASED BENEFITS| The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has announced a 5% increase in monthly pension benefits for all pensioners, as well as qualifying spousal and child beneficiaries, effective 1 April 2026. The decision, approved by the board of trustees on Thursday, follows a recommendation by the Fund’s Actuary based on the Fund’s sustainability and the current local inflation rate of 4%. Pensions in payment or deferment for less than a year as of 31 March 2026 will receive the increase on a pro-rata basis. GIPF chief executive officer Martin Inkumbi stated that the 5% adjustment aligns with the Fund’s practice of providing annual inflationary increases of between 75% and 100% of the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) to protect members’ purchasing power against rising costs of goods and services such as fuel, food, housing and healthcare. Reporter: Renthia Kaimbi Photo: GIPF #WindhoekObserver

The City of Windhoek is implementing a large-scale planning and formalisation process to address the shortage of serviced land as informal settlements continue to grow. Data from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development shows there are 419 informal settlements across 57 local authorities in the country, with 150 located in Windhoek.

Early construction works at the Etango Uranium Project are progressing on schedule and within budget, with Bannerman Energy reporting steady progress across infrastructure and engineering activities. The company said site activity has increased, with more than 560 contractor personnel deployed and over 500 000 lost-time injury-free hours recorded. The project maintains a 17-year LTI-free safety record.