AGP Executive Report

Airline Watch: Namibia’s Ministry of Works and Transport says a leaked Namibia Air document about talks with Ethiopian Airlines is not official and no binding commitments were made, as government weighs options to avoid repeating Air Namibia’s collapse. Digital Trust: CRAN launched DigiNam, with the regulator set as Namibia’s Root Certification Authority to anchor secure digital identities, e-signatures and safer online transactions. Mental Health Law: The National Council unanimously passed the Mental Health Bill, now heading to the National Assembly Speaker and then President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Embedded Solar Go-Live: The Electricity Control Board rolled out an online platform for embedded generation applications, aiming to speed approvals for rooftop solar and other small-scale systems. Human-Wildlife Pressure: Namibia recorded 11,508 human-wildlife conflict cases (2022–2026), including 77 human deaths, with new measures like water points and predator-proof kraals. Youth & Jobs: A Rundu lawyer launched his own practice after receiving N$200,000 from the National Youth Development Fund, while youth agriculture support also backed new farming ventures. Sport & Business: South Africa beat Zimbabwe in the Namibia-hosted T20 tri-series, and Shoprite announced it will buy coffee chain Vida e Caffè in a deal worth about $62m.

Cricket Tri-Series: Lhuan-dre Pretorius smashed a career-best 94 as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 43 runs in Windhoek, setting up the next round of Namibia vs Zimbabwe with both sides still in the hunt. Housing Crunch: A new affordability report says Namibians need nearly N$44,000 a month to buy an average home, blaming a severe supply shortage and rising re-sale prices. Politics & Integrity: UNODC-backed talks heard deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo warn that undisclosed campaign cash can distort democracy and political decisions. Digital Trust: Namibia launched DigiNam, its National Public Key Infrastructure, to strengthen secure online identity checks and e-signatures for public services. Immigration Reform: MHAISS introduced a five-year Employment Permit to Conduct Business to simplify investor processes while keeping security central. Weather Watch: Cloud cover is building across parts of Namibia, with rain showers and thunderstorms expected in central, eastern and north-eastern areas. Energy & Mining: Deep Yellow’s Nova JV earn-in deal with Core Energy moves ahead, while Kaoko Metals reports broad visible copper hits at its Chalkos project.

Oil & Gas Local Value Push: Namibia’s 4th Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek wrapped with a clear demand: turn discoveries into jobs, skills, businesses and long-term benefits, not just extraction. Digital Trust for Services: CRAN launched DigiNam: Trust is Now Digital, letting verified digital identities and electronic signatures support online government services, contract signing and secure identity checks. Aviation Plan Under Scrutiny: Namibia Air talks with Ethiopian Airlines reportedly include management control as a condition, raising questions about aviation sovereignty and local capacity. Marine Phosphate Fight: Namibia granted environmental clearance for seabed dredging for phosphate near Walvis Bay, drawing strong criticism over impacts on the Benguela ecosystem and fisheries. Human Rights on Remand: Experts called for stronger dignity and rights protections for vulnerable remand detainees, including age and vulnerability considerations. Agriculture & Work: A survey says most generational farm workers already have retirement homes off farms, while training and lifelong learning drives continue. Business & Markets: Skeleton Basin Investments listed on NSX’s DevX as a Capital Pool Company; Andrada reported record FY2026 gains at its Uis mine. Sports (Namibia in focus): Namibia’s tri-series comeback fell short against Zimbabwe by five runs, keeping the race tight.

Oil & Gas Governance: Namibia’s government has warned against “unreasonable” demands for excessive state ownership in oil and gas projects, arguing Namibia can still secure benefits through royalties, taxes on exceptional profits, and tighter cost control. Lüderitz Oil Project: Namibian businessmen Josef Andreas and Jason Kasuto have quit the proposed N$4 billion Lüderitz oil and gas supply-base bid, leaving questions over stakes in the consortium and Namport’s renewed process. Editorial: A fresh opinion piece says ownership alone won’t deliver oil benefits—policy design matters more than headline shares. Environment & Trade: The Namibian Chamber of Environment criticised France’s planned hunting trophy import restrictions. Agriculture Tech: Namibia cancelled a N$40m AI crop monitoring deal with US firm 6th Grain over procurement and legal-procedure failures. Fuel Prices: Motorists face a Wednesday fuel hike after under-recoveries were factored in. Cricket (Tri-series): Zimbabwe edged Namibia by five runs in a Windhoek thriller after a late Namibia surge fell short. Youth & Water: The Junior National Council opened its new term, with leaders urging practical solutions to water and sanitation gaps. Weather: Thunderstorms are expected this week in several regions, with road users warned about slippery conditions and reduced visibility.

Banking & Deals: Nedbank has received Central Bank of Kenya approval to buy up to a 66% stake in NCBA, a major step in reshaping ownership across East Africa. Fisheries & Health: Authorities suspect sardine/pilchard mass deaths along South Africa’s coast and Namibia’s shoreline are linked to pilchard herpesvirus, with investigations ongoing. Mining & Jobs: Government says it is working with workers to restart the Scorpion Zinc mine and refinery at Rosh Pinah “responsibly,” after the 2024 closure cost about 500 jobs. Business & Growth: Andrada Mining reports revenue up 34.4% to N$658m and rising net assets, while officials push entrepreneurship beyond local markets. Road Safety: Thousands of Ford Ranger Double Cab vehicles (including units exported to Namibia) are recalled over side-curtain airbag concerns. Governance & Justice: A former NDF cleaner in Ondangwa, Claudia Hatutale, gets N$10,000 bail on corruption charges; case postponed to February 2027. National Identity: Namibia mourns liberation icon Helao Shityuwete, remembered for workers’ rights and Robben Island imprisonment. Tech & Policy: Namibia secures a seat on the AI for Good Global Commission, aiming to shape AI governance and use it for public services.

T20I Tri-Series Update: South Africa’s Lutho Sipamla is ruled out with a left hamstring injury and replaced by Andile Simelane, as the squad also deals with Jason Smith’s groin problem and Kagiso Rabada’s ODI absence. Education Standards: Namibia’s education ministry rolls out new frameworks to strengthen standards in schools and hostels. National Honours Debate: The Presidency defends granting hero status to 16-year-old Cornelius Shimuafeni, saying courage and selflessness matter beyond the liberation struggle. Media Loss: EFN mourns veteran NBC cameraman Lamech Mwanyangapo. Justice & Crime: A man faces eight charges over an alleged N$3.8m illegal abalone export attempt. GBV Mental Health: A new piece highlights how GBV’s psychological toll varies across Namibia. Labour & Industry: Luderitz’s Marco Fishing locks out about 300 workers amid a wage dispute. Liberation Legacy: Namibia mourns Helao Joseph Shityuwete, with condolences from President Nandi-Ndaitwah and renewed focus on workers’ rights and Robben Island imprisonment. Digital Skills Push: An ICT bootcamp trains learners and teachers for Namibia’s national ICT in Education convention. Environment Watch: Sardine deaths continue to spread, with Namibia agreeing to provide samples for pilchard herpesvirus testing.

Cricket & Tri-Series: Namibia’s home T20I tri-series is back in focus after South Africa bounced from an 18-run loss to Namibia by beating Zimbabwe by 7 wickets in Windhoek, with Dewald Brevis blasting an unbeaten 75 to power the chase. Injuries & Scheduling: South Africa also faces a major fitness headache: Kagiso Rabada is ruled out of the ODI series against Australia with a hamstring injury, while Lutho Sipamla is out of the Namibia-based tri-series after a left hamstring problem. Public Safety: Namibian 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. Politics & Diplomacy: A petition has gathered 500+ signatures calling for the US ambassador to be declared persona non grata, amid claims about foreign influence as Namibia’s oil and gas sector draws attention. Health Policy: Namibia’s mental health bill has cleared the National Council and now goes to the president for consideration. Energy & Investment: Namibia’s energy minister urged investors to back offshore oil and gas opportunities, while Paladin reports a 71% jump in Langer Heinrich uranium sales revenue.

Offshore Energy Watch: Equinor says it sees “pretty big” potential in Namibia’s PEL 90 after acquiring a 17.4% stake from Harmattan Energy, with a drill-ready prospect expected to be tested later this year. Tri-Series Cricket (Windhoek): South Africa bounced back from losing to Namibia by beating Zimbabwe by seven wickets; Dewald Brevis smashed an unbeaten 75 off 32 balls as SA chased 145 with 38 balls to spare, while Zimbabwe were restricted to 144/8. Industrialisation Debate: A fresh push argues Namibia needs a real industrial policy that links resources, finance, energy, trade, procurement and skills—questioning whether the country is truly serious about making things. Sovereignty Tension: Activist Michael Amushelelo has launched a petition urging Namibia to declare US Ambassador John Giordano persona non grata, citing concerns about foreign influence over natural resources. Climate Outlook: Namibia faces a below-normal rainfall outlook for 2026/27, with generally above-normal temperatures expected across the region. Road Safety Pressure: MPs say upgrading roads won’t fix the accident crisis unless road-user behaviour changes. Sports Development: Welwitchia University and NARETU signed a deal to give law students practical labour-dispute training. Public Safety: Erongo Police ask the public to help find missing 24-year-old Zachary Mannecky Enrico Anieb.

Namibia–South Africa Cricket Shock: Namibia stunned South Africa again in the home T20I tri-series in Windhoek, winning by 18 runs after posting 163/9; Jan Frylinck (60) and Louren Steenkamp (41) set the platform, while Ruben Trumpelmann (3/24) and JJ Smit (3/31) helped restrict the Proteas to 145/9 despite Dewald Brevis’ 75. Next Up—SA vs Zimbabwe: South Africa now face Zimbabwe in the second match, with pressure on the under-strength Proteas to bounce back after the opening defeat; Zimbabwe are led by Sikandar Raza. Local Governance & Transport: Windhoek’s council says Germany has withdrawn a N$200m mobility grant after a feasibility study found lower-than-expected cycling uptake and emissions cuts. Road Safety Focus: A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure flags livestock on public roads and the B1 fatality corridor as major accident drivers, calling for stronger enforcement and better animal visibility. Energy Cooperation: USTDA is seeking partnerships to modernise power infrastructure in Southern Africa, including a delegation from Angola, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia to the US. Environment & Mining Debate: IPC opposes the Sandpiper phosphate project, citing environmental, social and public health concerns. Tech for Students: Google expands its free student AI offer to 27 African countries, including Namibia.

T20 Cricket Shock: Namibia stunned South Africa again in the T20I tri-series opener in Windhoek, defending 163/9 to win by 18 runs as Dewald Brevis’s 75 went in vain; Ruben Trumpelmann took 3/24 and JJ Smit added 3/31, setting up SA’s next clash with Zimbabwe. Roads & Delivery: The Roads Authority launched an N$13m Project Control System to track road budgets, schedules and performance across Namibia’s 50,000km network. Housing Pressure: Namibia’s housing backlog has topped 270,000 units, with over 200,000 households in informal settlements; government says large-scale action is urgent as it hands over 82 NHE houses in Swakopmund. Regional Governance Push: Prime Minister Ngurare urged Regional Governors to turn funding into visible results, stressing offices need proper human and financial resources. Honours System Clarified: Defence Minister Frans Kapofi defended Namibia’s national honours process as community-led and not political, as more than 1,000 received Liberation and Independence medals. Business & Ports: ICTSI signed to buy TLG, expanding port and cargo operations across Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa.

Entrepreneurship Boost: Momentum Metropolitan, with Basecamp, launched “Metropolitan Founders Ignite” to back Namibian founders with support, networks and investment readiness. Uranium Progress: Deep Yellow says Tumas construction mobilisation is set to start in August, with civil and concrete contracts worth N$389m, as FID is expected in Q4. Heroes’ Day Debate: Young Namibians rallied behind 16-year-old Cornelius Shimwaafeni’s national hero status after his rescue of twins, while editorials and youth voices renewed calls to document more unsung bravery. Regional Development Funding: NASRIA injected N$25m into regional economic development for productive initiatives across all 14 regions. Health & Safety: A 19-year-old student described severe complications after buying abortion pills from an unverified TikTok seller; meanwhile Navachab marked four million injury-free working hours. Housing Delivery: NHE handed over 82 houses in Swakopmund’s DRC informal settlement. Sports Spotlight: Namibia hosts South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 T20I tri-series in Windhoek. Digital Connectivity: CRAN and Nored signed an MoU to expand rural electrification and broadband connectivity.

Namibia Cricket & Sport: The T20I tri-series in Windhoek kicks off today with South Africa taking on Namibia, with the Proteas aiming to “set the record straight” after last year’s shock loss at the Namibia Cricket Ground; the tournament runs through early September with Namibia and Zimbabwe also in the mix. Governance & Institutions: Government is pushing ahead with a proposed national convention centre despite investor concerns, while confusion over authority at Nida is drawing criticism and raising fears about weakening the agency’s ability to manage public assets and attract investment. Education & Youth: UNAM says 2027 admissions requirements are unaffected by new higher-education evaluation scales. Health & Law: Namibia’s National Council has passed a new Mental Health Bill to replace the 1973 law, aiming to protect patient dignity and strengthen community-based care. Road Safety: A parliamentary transport committee says road crashes have become a national crisis, citing shortages of enforcement staff and equipment and calling for an integrated approach. Climate Outlook: SADC braces for a dry, hot rainy season, with El Niño expected to bring contrasting rainfall—drier in central and southern areas, wetter in the north. Energy & Development: Namibia and Russia are moving toward a joint space programme, and NASRIA has donated N$25 million to support regional economic development initiatives.

Heroes’ Day & national honours: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah used the 60th Heroes’ Day at Heroes’ Acre to argue heroism is bigger than medals, honouring 16-year-old Kornelius Shimuafeni for rescuing twins from a pond and calling the next generation’s fight “economic emancipation.” Debate on who qualifies as a hero: Opposition figures and commentators renewed calls to broaden national honours beyond liberation credentials, with questions over fairness and representation in awards. Education & appointments: A parliamentary committee probed claims of tribal favouritism in teacher promotions, urging that concerns be backed by data while stressing merit. Food security & farming support: Government announced N$40m to buy grain from local farmers via AMTA to reduce post-harvest losses and fix market bottlenecks. Procurement with social value: Namibia’s Central Procurement Board rolled out CSR requirements, with a first community handover in Bethanie worth N$64,886 linked to a railway upgrade contract. Transport & jobs scrutiny: IPC challenged the 500,000 jobs promise, pointing to weak export certificates and long rail inactivity. Infrastructure & regional ties: Erongo reported major 2025/26 gains, while Kavango East governor Hambyuka urged Angola to restart talks for a permanent bridge at Rundu. Business & services: Paratus plans a new Oshakati shop at Yetu Mall, expanding connectivity access in northern Namibia. Sports: Namibia hosts the FNB T20 Trinations series, with SA and Zimbabwe arriving ahead of the Proteas’ opener against the Namibia Eagles.

Heroes’ Day & national direction: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told Namibians they can’t “live off past glory alone”, pointing to poverty, unemployment, inequality, corruption, hunger and homelessness as the real battles for the current generation, and linking the Sixth National Development Plan to economic emancipation. Everyday heroism: A wave of Heroes’ Day features highlighted ordinary Namibians as heroes—from health workers and teachers to community leaders—while the Bank of Namibia honoured Olympic legend Frankie Fredericks with a long-awaited commemorative coin. Youth recognition: 16-year-old Kornelius Shimuafeni was named a national hero after saving twin babies from drowning, and other stories spotlighted bravery and disability support. Justice in prisons: A court ordered the Namibian Correctional Service to pay costs after rejecting an “inhumane” prison medical decision, granting a paralysed inmate medical release. Energy & environment: Namibia issued the world’s first clearance for a commercial seabed phosphate dredging operation, triggering backlash from marine scientists and a legal challenge from the fishing industry. Transport disruption: Namibia’s jet fuel shortage worsened after contaminated fuel delivery, with airlines rerouting flights. Cricket ties: South Africa’s Duan Jansen and Dewald Brevis look ahead to the Proteas’ T20I tri-series in Namibia, with the home crowd and World Cup venue in focus.

Heroes’ Day & Reburials: Namibia will rebury two liberation fighters, Festus Nehale and Simon Niilenge, at Heroes’ Acre as part of Heroes Day ceremonies marking 60 years since the independence struggle began, with their remains returned from South Africa. National Honours: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also conferred Liberation and Independence medals on about 1,000 people for contributions to Namibia’s fight for freedom. Energy & Digital Push: CRAN signed a five-year MoU with Nored to accelerate Namibia’s digital transformation and rural connectivity, linking telecom and power infrastructure. Green Hydrogen: Namibia is scaling up green hydrogen plans using a Walvis Bay pilot facility, with tenders underway for a larger 140MW site. Petroleum Jobs Focus: The 4th Namibia Oil & Gas Conference wrapped in Windhoek with a clear message: discoveries must translate into jobs, skills, enterprise participation and long-term value. Mining Watch: Namibia granted environmental clearance for an offshore phosphate mining project near Walvis Bay, despite opposition from environmental groups and fishing interests. Cricket: Namibia named an experienced squad for a home T20I tri-series against South Africa and Zimbabwe, led by Gerhard Erasmus. Sports (International): Duan Jansen earned his first Proteas call-up for the Namibia tri-series after a mental and career turnaround.

Liberation & Independence Honours: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conferred Liberation and Independence medals on about 1,000 Namibians at Independence Stadium, recognising sacrifices during the struggle against apartheid. Phosphate Mining Pushback: Namibia granted environmental clearance for Namibian Marine Phosphate’s Sandpiper offshore project near Walvis Bay, clearing a key hurdle for seabed dredging—despite concerns from scientists and the fishing industry. Energy & Power Watch: The Electricity Control Board says Namibia’s high-voltage “backbone” is in good shape, but most distribution networks are rated poor, mainly due to weak safety procedure implementation and maintenance. Tumas Project Progress: Deep Yellow says it has secured long-term water supply arrangements with NamWater and finalised local ownership agreements for its Tumas uranium project, moving toward a possible Final Investment Decision in Q4 2026. Health Crisis in Zambezi: Diarrhoea outbreaks in Zambezi have killed 11 children under five this year, with investigations ongoing into the cause. Climate Preparedness: Namibia urged SADC to boost meteorological services and early-warning systems as extreme weather risks rise across the region. Sports & Youth: Namibia’s Paralympic power fight continues after Shikongo was disqualified over licensing issues, while coaches call for more regular competition for developing athletes.