AGP Executive Report

Gold Watch: Canadian-listed Ongwe reports a major new gold-in-soil anomaly at its Nguni project in Namibia’s Damara Goldbelt, with assays up to 730ppb Au and a multi-kilometre trend above 100ppb Au; infill sampling on a 50x50m grid is ongoing and drilling is planned for Q2 2026. Economy & Cost of Living: Namibia’s inflation climbed to 4.1% in May, driven mainly by transport and housing/water/electricity costs, with prices up 1.2% month-on-month. Consumer Protection: Namfisa ordered financial institutions to refund over N$1.7 million to consumers after complaints, covering issues like delayed benefits and rejected insurance claims. Connectivity & Tech: Telecom Namibia signed Angosat-2 satellite connectivity pilot deals in Angola, while CRAN pushes “regulatory sandboxes” to speed up Namibia’s digital innovation. Power & Services: Vice President Lucia Witbooi handed over electrification and street lighting in Gibeon, as activists warn prepaid meters should not roll out before water and sewer repairs. Sports: Namibia won bronze at volleyball Olympic qualifiers in Harare (men and women), and Namibia’s cricket stars Bernard Scholtz and JJ Smit took top awards. Road Safety: Police report weekend crashes with one motorcyclist death and dozens injured, urging motorists to obey speed limits and avoid alcohol.

Road Safety: Police report a deadly weekend crash in Walvis Bay where a motorcyclist died after colliding with a truck on the B2, while another head-on collision between a bus and a car left multiple people injured—authorities again warn motorists to obey speed limits, avoid alcohol, and never flee accident scenes. Digital Connectivity: Telecom Namibia signed two strategic agreements in Angola at ANGOTIC 2026 to expand broadband and resilience, including plans to use the Angosat-2 satellite platform for remote areas. Education Support: The Werner Erkes Foundation pledged N$20 million annually for Namibian education, unveiled through the new Horizon Primary School in Swakopmund’s DRC settlement. Health Services: A cataract surgery campaign in Rundu targets more than 400 patients across Kavango East and West, aiming to restore sight and prevent avoidable blindness. Governance & Rights: A High Court ruling found the police inspector general wrongly eroded activists’ right to demonstrate, awarding damages to those arrested over an unemployment protest. Youth & Economy: President Nandi-Ndaitwah urged leaders to prioritise national interests and called on young Namibians to write, linking literature to innovation and prosperity. International Solidarity: Prime Minister Ngurare appealed for Namibian support for Cuba amid U.S. sanctions, citing shortages of fuel and medicines. Crime Update: Police are investigating a housebreaking in Henties Bay and fraud cases in Windhoek and Kavango West totalling nearly N$397,000.

Housing Affordability Debate: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare’s complaint about long home-loan repayment periods has sparked a pushback from economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu, who says the real problem is high house prices and costly land and transfer charges—not banks’ interest rules. Road Safety & Governance: A dispute over speed humps on Windhoek’s B1 Western Bypass resurfaced, with former Roads Authority leadership and engineers previously rejecting the idea for highway-flow compliance reasons, while current decisions face scrutiny. Energy & Oil: QatarEnergy says it has struck encouraging oil results offshore in PEL 0039, with Merlin-1X delivering the most promising subsurface findings so far, boosting confidence in Namibia’s Orange Basin. Public Service Modernisation: The Okahandja NaTIS Centre launched computerised learner licence testing and an electronic book-and-pay system to speed up appointments and improve transparency. Health & Community: Kavango West’s Rupara Maternity Ward is nearing completion after a N$1 million Development Bank of Namibia donation, aiming to cut maternal and infant health risks. Regional Diplomacy: President Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed strong Namibia–South Africa ties with Cyril Ramaphosa, highlighting the Bi-National Commission and the wide web of cooperation agreements. Agriculture Spotlight: More than 1,000 people attended Kalkfeld AgriMega Day, showcasing livestock trading, regenerative farming sessions and rural enterprise.

Period Poverty Relief: One Economy Foundation received 6,000 sanitary pads from Lil-Lets (Premier FMCG) under the “Let’s Care for Her” campaign, set to support groups including the Zambezi Girl Child Foundation and Legal Assistance Centre. Water & Power in the City: Vice President Lucia Witbooi commissioned an electrification project in Gibeon’s Sunrise informal settlement, connecting 15 households to the national grid, with more connections expected. Namibia–South Africa Ties: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed the strong Namibia–South Africa bond with Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg, highlighting the Bi-National Commission and 150+ cooperation agreements. Fuel Supply Scrutiny: NAMCOR defended its coordinated fuel procurement arrangement, saying it balances affordability, supply security and sustainability while citing past government interventions to stabilise the national oil company. Water Governance Push: Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani welcomed the Global Water Partnership Organisation’s secretariat relocation to Windhoek and urged deeper cooperation. Parliament on Microlenders: MPs called for an end to direct salary deductions by microlenders, arguing it worsens financial strain on civil servants. Criminal Case Update: In Ondangwa court, murder accused Abner Mateus testified he hid his arrest from his nephew, Petrus Shikwaya, during bail proceedings. Cricket Spotlight: Namibia’s cricket scene gets a boost with Justin Kemp appointed Director of Cricket, while India’s ODI opener vs Afghanistan in Dharamshala was delayed by rain.

Cricket & World Cup build-up: India’s Prasidh Krishna says the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan is crucial for finding the right combinations and rhythm ahead of the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, as heavy rain in Dharamshala delayed the toss for the opener. Local governance & justice: Namibia’s Prosecutor-General appointment process is under the spotlight, with calls to complete the recruitment transparently and without delay. Pension fund scrutiny: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare urged GIPF to invest more at home to protect its reputation after high-profile losses tied to overseas investments. Digital resilience: Namibia continues to feel the impact of fibre and copper cable theft, with repeated outages stressing the push for reliable ICT services. Road safety court fight: Social justice activist Michael Amushelelo has filed an urgent High Court bid to remove B1 Western Bypass speed humps, arguing they are unlawful and unsafe. Economy & imports: Namibia spent the most on petroleum oils in April, with fuel imports driven by regional shipping pressures. SME support: A new SME Fund under the ProSME project is set to back women and youth-led businesses to grow and create jobs.

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.