AGP Executive Report

Mining & Investment: Ongwe Minerals will start a geophysical survey at its K17 copper-gold prospect near Khorixas in H2 2026, paving the way for a 2,500m diamond drill push in early 2027. Copper Funding: Kaoko Metals raised A$20m to expand Chalkos drilling after early visible copper hits, with plans to add a second rig. Energy & Policy: Electricity Control Board launched an online platform to speed up and standardise embedded/renewable energy applications, improving planning and network data. Securities Market: NSX members approved demutualisation, converting the exchange into a public company under FIMA from 1 May 2026. Tax & Ease of Doing Business: NIPDB and PwC released a new Namibia investment tax guide to help investors navigate local tax rules. Labour & Wages: Construction sector minimum wages rose under a new collective agreement effective 1 September 2026. Transport & Health: MHSS and the MVA Fund signed an MoU to strengthen ambulance services and trauma care in Windhoek. Local Economy & Governance: Windhoek is assessing vendor relocation around Havana, while the city awarded an N$18m tender for a fire alarm receiver system. Digital & Fisheries: Government unveiled a digital dashboard to boost transparency in the fisheries sector and track whether economic empowerment is real. Social Impact: President urged corporate social investment to deliver lasting community benefits, not just publicity.

Cricket & Sports Business: South Africa won the Namibia T20I tri-series in Windhoek, beating Zimbabwe by 48 runs after posting 205/5, with Jordan Hermann’s 53 and a strong bowling finish sealing the trophy. Mining & Markets: ASX copper explorer Kaoko Metals (ASX:KAO) surged on early Namibia drilling results at the Chalkos project, with visible copper intersected in maiden holes. Oil & Gas Finance: ReconAfrica increased funding to about N$220.4m for horizontal sidetrack and production testing at Kavango West 1X, via an upsized bought-deal offering. Local Procurement & Courts: Namibia’s Supreme Court dismissed an appeal over a government school hostel food tender, ruling the procurement process continued after bid validity expired. Fisheries & Governance: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged fisheries to deliver more value, local processing and jobs, with transparency in quota allocation. Investment Climate: Namibia launched a new up-to-five-year employment permit for investors, aiming to cut red tape and improve certainty for business entry. Climate & Risk: Asoli warns of a potentially severe El Niño drought and calls for urgent government preparedness for farmers and livestock. Regional Trade Policy: Kenya’s president says the country will stop exporting raw minerals and push local processing, joining a wider African trend.

Environmental Governance: Namibia’s fisheries minister has appealed an environmental clearance granted for the controversial marine phosphate mining project, after court criticism of commissioner Timoteus Mufeti’s clearance process and his failure to properly consider endangered species in the Erindi area. Biosecurity & Livestock Trade: Namibia is strengthening foot-and-mouth disease safeguards by moving to accredit livestock truck wash and disinfection facilities in South Africa, with evaluations of 15 sites underway. Tourism Oversight: The Namibian Competition Commission says its tourism-sector investigation into alleged exclusive arrangements won’t disrupt operations, stressing fair market participation. Investor Entry Rules: Home Affairs launched a new up-to-five-year employment permit for investors, aiming to cut administrative barriers and improve certainty for business. Public Finance & Trade Facilitation: NamRA begins a pilot financial security framework at Walvis Bay to reduce customs revenue risks while keeping goods moving during verification. Health Funding Shift: The US will phase down its $45m annual HIV support for Namibia after 2027, moving to technical cooperation following Namibia’s stance on sensitive health data sharing. Gold Reserves: Central banks bought about 130 tonnes of gold in the first seven months of 2026, with China and Poland leading. Road Safety: A truck driver appeared in court in Namibia for drunk driving after a breathalyser reading above the legal limit. Local Development: Katima Mulilo residents welcome a N$450m wastewater plant expected to take 13–14 months, with jobs for locals. Wildlife Monitoring: Africa is expanding technology-led wildlife censuses using aerial counts, camera traps and tracking to better manage threatened populations.

U.S.-Namibia HIV Funding Shift: The Trump administration will end its $45m annual support for Namibia’s HIV response after the 2027 fiscal year, moving to “technical cooperation” as Namibia integrates HIV services into its own national health system—after rejecting U.S. demands for sensitive health data sharing. Investment Climate Push: Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu launched a new up-to-five-year employment permit for investors, aiming to cut administrative barriers and speed up business entry. Trade Facilitation & Revenue Protection: NamRA will pilot a financial security framework at Walvis Bay from 1 Dec to 28 Feb, requiring exporters/importers and customs agents to post cash, bonds or guarantees before certain consignments are released. Fisheries Reform Focus: At the National Fisheries Indaba, Minister Inge Zaamwani urged onshore processing and more transparent quota allocation, while also calling for ecosystem-based management as seal numbers rise. Labour & Skills Link-Up: NARETU and Welwitchia University signed an MoU to place law students into practical labour-law internships. AI for Business: V5 Digital launched an AI Academy in Windhoek to help organisations move from interest to implementation. Mining & Capital Markets: ReconAfrica plans to raise about N$174m via a bought-deal offering to fund further Namibia exploration and production testing.

US-Namibia Health Funding: The U.S. will start phasing out its $45m annual support for Namibia’s HIV response, moving to “technical cooperation” in 2027 after Namibia rejected data-and-specimen sharing terms. Cyber & Youth Skills: Namibia’s Global Cybersecurity Initiative is pushing young people to turn cyber awareness into everyday action, after NAM-CSIRT logged 161,547 cyber events and 513,921 vulnerabilities (Apr–Jun 2026). AI for Business: Windhoek gets a V5 Digital AI Academy to help firms assess AI readiness, train staff and implement AI-driven processes. Labour Costs: New construction minimum wages and conditions kick in from 1 September for two years, with hourly pay for labourers and general workers set at N$20.43 (rising to N$21.45 in 2027). Municipal Revenue Push: Rundu launches a wholly council-owned commercial company to broaden revenue and improve service delivery. Fisheries Reform: Fisheries Minister Inge Zaamwani calls for more onshore processing and transparent quota allocation, while also warning that a growing seal population could pressure fish stocks. Energy Deal: TotalEnergies completes its Galp swap, taking operatorship of Namibia’s Mopane (PEL83) and positioning for appraisal ahead of a 2028 FID. Livestock Market: Namibia’s cattle market shows signs of recovery in 2026, with higher sales volumes and stronger live exports. Competition Oversight: NaCC says its conservancy tourism investigation won’t disrupt sector operations. Diplomatic Tension: Reports claim the U.S. ambassador was denied entry to a presidential event in Walvis Bay, sparking questions over protocol vs a snub. Construction Sector Governance: Namibia’s Supreme Court upholds cancellation of a school hostel food tender over procurement irregularities.

Livestock Leadership: The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia appoints Vehaka M. Tjimune as its new CEO from 1 September 2026, bringing 37+ years across agri-food policy and industry roles. Oil & Gas Deal: TotalEnergies completes its entry as operator of Namibia’s Mopane discovery, taking over operatorship of PEL83 after the Galp swap; FID is expected in 2028 with probable first oil by 2033. Capital Raising: ReconAfrica plans to raise about N$174m via a bought-deal offering to fund further exploration and production testing in Namibia. Fisheries Reform Push: Fisheries Minister Inge Zaamwani urges onshore processing and transparent quota allocation, while also calling for solutions to a growing seal population that could pressure fish stocks. Tourism Competition Assurance: NaCC says its investigation into conservancy and private operator exclusivity arrangements won’t disrupt tourism operations, and is working with MEFT to align frameworks. Public Finance & Health: Namibia and the US announce a phased reduction of US HIV funding over the next year, shifting from financial assistance to technical cooperation as Namibia sustains epidemic-control gains. Water Risk: NamWater issues an urgent alert that Omatako Dam supplies for central areas may last only one to two weeks, with possible interruptions ahead. Business & Consumer: Nedbank Insurance Namibia launches MyCover Funeral, allowing one policy to cover up to 29 people including extended family and domestic workers. Governance & Courts: Supreme Court upholds cancellation of a school hostel food tender over procurement irregularities. Local Government Protest: Otjiwarongo residents march over alleged delays in writing off pensioners’ accumulated debt. Competitiveness Watch: IMD’s 2026 global competitiveness ranking places Namibia 69th globally, with South Africa leading Africa.

Uranium & Sanctions: The Industrial Development Corporation says it will sell its ~10.5% stake in Rossing Uranium after Iran- and Russia-linked backers triggered sanctions-related lender and internal policy requirements. Energy & Power Regulation: The Electricity Control Board launched Namibia’s Embedded Generation Online Application Platform, replacing paper processes to speed up and standardise rooftop solar and battery connection approvals. Youth & Jobs: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged corporates to expand internships, apprenticeships and start-up equipment to tackle youth unemployment, while Namibia’s NSFAF reopened online funding for a final 2026 phase (7 Sep–7 Oct). Tourism Oversight: The Namibian Competition Commission reassured tourism stakeholders its conservancy investigation won’t disrupt operations, aiming instead for fair market participation. Agribusiness: Savanna Beef revised cattle weight categories for third-quarter pricing, with changes effective 1 Oct and applied retrospectively from 1 Sep. Health Funding: The US will phase down financial assistance for Namibia’s HIV response over the next year as support shifts toward technical cooperation. Property & Environment: Elisenheim Nature Estate received an Environmental Clearance Certificate renewal, giving regulatory certainty for low-density development.

Oil & Gas Dealflow: TotalEnergies has gained final approval to take over as operator of Namibia’s PEL 83 (Mopane), swapping positions with Galp and setting up a three-well appraisal campaign aimed at a 2028 final investment decision. Port & Logistics Expansion: ICTSI is set to acquire South Africa’s The Logistics Group (TLG), boosting its integrated cargo-handling footprint across South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique. Mining & Markets: Gold buying by central banks added 23 tonnes in July, led by China and Poland, while copper explorers are rallying on renewed drilling success and AI-driven demand talk. Phosphate Policy Fight: Namibia’s agriculture minister has appealed an environmental clearance for the Sandpiper marine phosphate project, as government coordination questions grow. Local Business & Finance: Namibia’s instant payment system “WayaMe” is rolling out to improve interoperability, and household credit rose in July as mortgages and vehicle/asset finance kept demand steady. Governance & Courts: The Phala Phala impeachment review continues in court, with parties arguing over whether there was enough evidence to proceed. City Watch: Windhoek removed a fleet policy clause allowing councillors’ spouses to use municipal vehicles, and is also moving to charge large properties for fire-alarm monitoring. Social Risks: UNICEF reports 20 million children across 21 countries face online sexual abuse/exploitation each year, underlining the need for stronger digital protection.

Oil & Gas Deal: TotalEnergies has received final approval to take over as operator of Namibia’s PEL 83 (Mopane), completing a reshuffle with Galp: TotalEnergies and Galp each hold 40%, while Namcor and Custos keep 10% each; Total plans a three-well appraisal and targets a Mopane final investment decision in 2028. Energy Markets & Finance: Goldman Sachs forecasts gold at about US$4,900/oz by end-2026, citing central banks’ multi-year reserve diversification away from foreign currencies. Household Credit: Namibia household credit rose by N$438.7m in July to N$72.74bn, with mortgage lending gaining momentum. Payments Reform: Namibia’s new instant payment solution, WayaMe, is set to improve interoperability between participating banks, wallets and providers. City Services: Windhoek will charge large properties N$9,000 a year to connect fire alarms to the city’s emergency control room. Digital Trust: CRAN launched DigiNam: Trust is Now Digital, with the regulator as Root Certification Authority, and accredited Home Affairs as the first Certification Service Provider. Social Impact: Bank Windhoek’s Cancer Apple Project raised a record N$4m for the Cancer Association of Namibia. Agriculture & Jobs: NAB will invest N$250m in the crop sector under NDP6 to turn small-scale farming into viable commercial enterprises. Policy & Governance: Government says Namibia Air talks with Ethiopian Airlines are “exploratory” and rejects a leaked document as unauthorised.

Mining & Markets: Australian small-cap explorers are driving fresh attention on Namibia-linked projects, with Kaoko Metals jumping after early copper mineralisation at Chalkos, while Askari Metals ramps up Uis pegmatite work (soil sampling, trenching and planned RC drilling across tin, tantalum, lithium and more). Energy & Finance: OL Energy targets gigawatt-scale renewables by 2029, and Simonis Storm warns Namibia’s private-sector credit growth may stay subdued as corporate borrowing weakens. Banking & Reserves: Bank of Namibia data shows international reserves rising to N$58bn, supporting import cover, even as banking liquidity and credit momentum soften. Policy & Governance: The Presidency moves to control upstream petroleum local content via a new regulator unit, and the Ministry of Works distances itself from a leaked Namibia Air document while confirming talks with Ethiopian Airlines. Public Services: NamWater schedules water interruptions in Okahao areas, and malaria remains a major health pressure with 122,000+ cases reported this year. Business & Local Economy: Windhoek introduces a heavy-vehicle permit system, and northern kapana cooks qualify for the Nedbank national final.

Airline Watch: Namibia’s Ministry of Works and Transport says a leaked Namibia Air document on talks with Ethiopian Airlines is not official and that discussions are still ongoing, with no binding commitments—aimed at avoiding the mistakes that led to Air Namibia’s collapse. Digital Trust & Power: CRAN will act as Namibia’s Root Certification Authority under the National PKI “DigiNam: Trust is Now Digital,” while the Electricity Control Board launches an Embedded Generation online application platform to speed up rooftop solar approvals. Electricity Costs: Windhoek electricity tariffs rise by an average 3.6% from 1 September, pushing up household bills. Retail & Jobs: Shoprite reports 12.2% earnings growth and buys Vida e Caffè (and a stake in R&A Cellular), expanding coffee and convenience across Africa including Namibia. Energy & Mining Deals: Core Energy signs a two-stage earn-in to reach up to 51% in Deep Yellow’s Nova uranium JV in Namibia; meanwhile Kaoko Metals’ early Chalkos drilling shows broad visible copper zones, driving a sharp share surge. Housing Pressure: A new affordability analysis warns most Namibians can’t meet homeownership costs due to weak incomes and slow serviced land delivery. Youth & Entrepreneurship: Namibia’s NYDF-backed youth legal and farming success stories highlight how funding is turning plans into operating businesses. Sports & Society: Nust and TUN agree a 5% academic staff pay rise; Namibia Football Association signs a Standard Bank deal to help staff access homeownership finance.

Electricity & Costs: Windhoek raised electricity tariffs by an average 3.6% for 2026/27 from 1 September, while Namibia also announced another fuel hike from 2 September—petrol up by 60 cents/litre and diesel by N$1.60/litre—adding pressure to already strained household budgets. Housing Affordability: A new report says Namibians now need nearly N$44,000 a month to afford an average home, pointing to a supply shortfall and rising re-trading prices in a tight market. Digital Trust & Identity: Namibia launched DigiNam, a National Public Key Infrastructure under the DigiNam initiative, to enable more secure online identity authentication and electronic signatures for citizens, businesses and government services. Mining & Energy Deals: Paladin Energy held its 2026 Investor Day in Sydney, updating shareholders on uranium strategy and the Patterson Lake South project; Deep Yellow’s Namibia-focused Nova joint venture also advanced with a A$5m earn-in agreement; Kaoko Metals reported early visible copper hits at its Chalkos project, with assays expected in 4–6 weeks. Local Business Climate: The Ministry of Home Affairs introduced a new Employment Permit to Conduct Business to streamline investor entry and allow longer permit validity, while Windhoek rolled out a new heavy-vehicle permit system that could reshape logistics into the city. Governance & Integrity: UNODC-backed consultations saw warnings that undisclosed campaign funding can undermine political integrity, and the ECN chair nomination again stalled over quorum.

Oil & Gas Local Value Push: Namibia’s 4th Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek ended with a clear “From Decision to Dividend” message: exploration must translate into jobs, skills, local enterprise and long-term national benefits. Digital Trust for Commerce: CRAN launched DigiNam: Trust is Now Digital, enabling verified digital identities and electronic signatures for signing contracts, accessing services and even remote customer verification. Aviation Sovereignty Watch: Namibia Air’s talks with Ethiopian Airlines reportedly hinge on management control, raising concerns about local control and the carrier’s financial path. Marine Phosphate Controversy: Namibia greenlit a seabed phosphate dredging project, drawing criticism over potential impacts on fisheries and marine conservation. Capital Markets Move: Skeleton Basin Investments listed on NSX’s Development Capital Board as a Capital Pool Company, adding another vehicle for future deals. Regional Development Funding: Nasria pledged N$25m to productive projects across all 14 regions. Retail Growth: Shoprite agreed to buy Vida e Caffè, boosting its coffee and QSR push. Corporate Results: Andrada Mining reported a 34% revenue jump at its Uis mine, while Letshego Namibia declared a 50.70c interim dividend. People & Work: AEA says most generational farm workers already have retirement homes off-farm, and MUN renewed calls for workers to gain lasting stakes in mining.

Lüderitz Oil Exit: Namibia businessmen Josef Andreas and Jason Kasuto have stepped back from a proposed N$4 billion Lüderitz oil and gas supply-base bid, leaving Namport’s renewed process in limbo. Oil Wealth Debate: An editorial argues Namibia doesn’t need 51% ownership to benefit from petroleum; it should push for progressive royalties, tax exceptional profits and stop cost-inflation. AI Crop Monitoring Cancelled: Namibia terminated a N$40m AI crop monitoring deal with US firm 6th Grain after procurement and legal-process failures, raising data sovereignty concerns. Fuel Shock: Middle East conflict is driving higher pump prices from 2 September, with petrol up 60c and diesel up 160c/litre. Skorpion Zinc Restart Talks: Government says it’s working with workers and stakeholders to restart Skorpion Zinc and refinery operations to protect jobs in //Kharas. Mining & Uranium Moves: Deep Yellow says it will pitch its Tumas uranium path to FID in Q4 at a World Nuclear Association symposium; Elevate Uranium reports strong U-pgrade pilot results. Agribusiness Push: Young people, especially women, are being urged to treat farming as a business, not just tradition. Road Safety Warning: A parliamentary transport report calls road accidents a public-health and development crisis, blaming reckless driving and weak enforcement. Sports (Business Angle): Namibia beat South Africa in the FNB Tri-Series opener; Zimbabwe later edged Namibia in a thriller, keeping the tournament tight.

Banking Deal: Nedbank has received Central Bank of Kenya approval to acquire up to a 66% stake in NCBA, setting up a major East Africa ownership shift. Mining & Jobs: Government says it is working with workers to restart the Scorpion Zinc mine and refinery at Rosh Pinah, after the 2024 closure cost about 500 jobs. Energy & Investment Readiness: Namibia is being urged to turn offshore oil discoveries into “investable” projects by building institutions, skills and commercial certainty, not just celebrating barrels. Capital Markets Upgrade: Bank Windhoek becomes the first bank to dematerialise an NSX-listed corporate bond in the new Central Securities Depository system. AI Governance: Namibia secures a seat on the Global AI for Good Commission, aiming to shape AI norms and use AI for public services and farming. Fisheries Watch: Namibia has not yet paid its SADC illegal fishing centre contribution for 2024–2026, though it supports the centre in-kind. Local Business Demand: A new report finds 80% of Africans say they support African brands but don’t buy them—highlighting a loyalty-to-spend gap. Food & Wages: Commercial farm remuneration rose to about N$5,100 a month in the 2025/26 wage survey. Tech Metals Update: Andrada Mining lifted FY2026 revenue to N$658m as net assets rose.

Windhoek & North Robberies: Police report three weekend robbery incidents across Windhoek, Oshakati and Oshikango, with victims tied up and construction equipment plus cash stolen, including a Windhoek West case involving firearm threats and container break-ins. Media & Community Loss: The Editors Forum of Namibia mourns veteran NBC cameraman Lamech Mwanyangapo, while the farming community in Maltahöhe also mourns businessman Johnny Hanekom after a microlight crash. Labour Dispute: MARCO Fishing in Luderitz continues locking out about 300 workers amid a wage and benefits standoff, with union demands including back pay and higher allowances. Energy & Jobs: Northern Ocean says its remaining semisubmersible, Deepsea Mira, is likely to stay idle until early 2027 after offshore opportunities were delayed or fell away. Finance & Markets: RMB Namibia appoints Rehabeam “Ray” Auala Jr as head of global markets to expand FX, risk management and capital markets services. Digital Push: Namibia’s ICT Summit receives a N$1.2m funding boost, targeting skills and practical digital transformation outcomes. Oil & Gas Investment Pitch: Industries minister Modestus Amutse urges investors to move into Namibia’s offshore oil and gas development phase, highlighting investor protections and local content ambitions. Procurement With CSR: Namibia’s Central Procurement Board embeds CSR proposals into tenders, with a first community handover in Bethanie worth about N$64,886. Security Warning: Police warn fraudsters are using vulnerable people’s identities to register SIM cards for scams, urging residents not to let others register SIMs with their details.