AGP Executive Report

Namibia–Angola Ties: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah travelled to Luanda to co-chair the countries’ first Bi-National Commission, with talks focused on trade, energy, transport and security. A proposed one-stop border post at Oshikango-Santa Clara aims to cut delays, while projects include the Baynes hydropower station and a cross-border electricity link. National Mourning: Former First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba has died aged 78. President Nandi-Ndaitwah and senior officials paid their respects; Pohamba was remembered for her work in healthcare, women’s empowerment and support for people affected by HIV/AIDS. FMD’s Economic Toll: Livestock restrictions could cost Namibia an estimated N$1.6 billion in the final quarter of 2026, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned. It said prolonged export suspensions could put 15,000 to 20,000 agricultural jobs at risk. Public Accountability: MPs say they have struggled to locate projects funded by the National Youth Development Fund, raising questions about how loans and public money are monitored. Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah acknowledged losses but did not disclose their scale.

National Mourning: Former First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba has died aged 78. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah offered condolences, honouring Pohamba’s service from 2005 to 2015 and her work in maternal health and women’s empowerment. Namibia–Angola Links: The two countries are due to discuss a one-stop border post at Oshikango-Santa Clara at Monday’s leaders’ summit, alongside plans to deepen trade, energy and transport ties. Youth Fund Oversight: MPs say they have struggled to locate projects funded by the National Youth Development Fund. Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah acknowledged losses but did not give figures, as lawmakers pressed for better monitoring of public loans. Defence Spending: IPC MP Aloisius Kangulu is demanding answers over N$860,000 in reported travel allowances, citing concerns about spending after the Defence Department exceeded its approved budget. Livestock Controls: The agriculture minister has warned farmers not to vaccinate livestock against foot-and-mouth disease without authorisation, as the government works to contain the outbreak.

Public Spending: IPC defence spokesperson Aloisius Kangulu wants answers on N$860,000 in travel allowances, after the department overspent its 2024/25 budget by N$252.9 million. Anti-corruption: The IPPR says new ACC chief Bryan Eiseb faces a test to rebuild public trust, especially in procurement. Parliament: MPs are working to establish a youth caucus to bring young people’s concerns into parliamentary debate. Public Service: Health Minister Esperance Luvindao says unemployed public health and health-information graduates cannot be automatically hired because no dedicated posts are approved. Genocide Reparations: Nama leaders are urging Germany to recognise the colonial genocide, apologise and negotiate reparations directly with affected communities. Regional Ties: Namibia and Angola have opened their first Bi-National Commission, targeting stronger trade, energy, transport and border-security cooperation. Natural Resources: The environment ministry is drafting sand and gravel mining rules to penalise illegal extraction and require site rehabilitation.

Economic Outlook: The IMF projects Namibia’s growth to rise from 2% in 2026 to 2.7% in 2027, still below the sub-Saharan African average. Public Accountability: IPC is urging disciplinary or legal action after an Auditor-General’s report flagged N$14.11 million in stock discrepancies at Home Affairs and NamPol, alongside unauthorised transactions. Workplace Equity: MPs want stronger enforcement, pay transparency, workplace inspections and better support for working mothers. Housing Delivery: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has questioned progress toward the target of 10,000 homes a year, with the national shortage estimated at 500,000. Genocide Debate: A Bundestag debate renewed calls from Namibian traditional leaders for Germany to formally recognise the genocide against the Ovaherero and Nama and issue an unconditional apology.

Housing Delivery: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia’s 500,000-home shortfall demands faster action, asking how many of the government’s 10,000 annual target have been built. In Onandjaba, 99 affordable homes were handed over, though residents are still waiting for water and electricity. Food Security: Namibia is seeking Chinese farm technology and investment to expand irrigation, improve productivity and build local skills and manufacturing. Regional Ties: Namibia and Angola have launched their first Bi-National Commission, targeting closer cooperation in trade, energy, transport and agriculture. Genocide Reparations: Germany’s Bundestag debated calls for a formal apology and direct reparations to descendants of the Ovaherero and Nama; the motions were sent to a parliamentary committee, while traditional leaders renewed demands for recognition and justice.

Genocide Reparations: Germany’s colonial-era genocide in Namibia returned to the Bundestag this week. Descendants say Berlin’s 2021 apology and development package fall short; motions seeking direct reparations and an official apology have gone to committee, while Germany still rejects legal liability. Regional Diplomacy: Namibia and Angola are pursuing stronger trade, energy and transport links, while South Africa is seeking regional cooperation to tighten border security. Energy Policy: Namibia faces a key decision on whether offshore oil projects will bring gas ashore for domestic and regional power or reinject it underground. The government has pressed for shared infrastructure, but operators cite cost and timing concerns. Public Services: NamPol says it is overhauling ageing electronic systems to improve investigations and case management. Economic Policy: Namibia is urging stronger local processing of critical minerals, with technology transfer, skills and infrastructure included in partnerships. Foot-and-Mouth Response: Authorities have begun compulsory vaccination and tightened controls as the outbreak spreads, while livestock producers seek interim trade measures.

Oil and Gas Politics: Swapo veteran Jerry Ekandjo accused Cabinet of sidelining the ruling party in decisions on the sector, calling for Swapo to take a stronger role. Constitutional Reform: A fresh opinion urges serious debate on a constitutional court, with any design built to withstand changes in government and political leadership. Cybersecurity: A government-backed masterclass focused on incident response and crisis communication, with ICT Deputy Minister Wenzel Kavaka stressing the need for timely, transparent information during cyberattacks. Energy Costs: Minister Modestus Amutse said affordability must guide energy policy as officials and industry representatives met in Windhoek; he cited survey findings that 17.4% of Namibians live below the upper poverty line. Diamond Revenue: Namdeb and Debmarine have asked the government for financial relief as weak global prices squeeze the sector and reduce public revenue. Gender Equality: Government leaders called for ministries to coordinate and act on the national gender policy, amid persistent gender-based violence and poverty. Foreign Policy: Namibia urged the UN to uphold Sahrawi self-determination and oppose resource deals made without the people’s consent.

Petroleum Bill: An opposition walkout stalled a vote in the National Assembly, leaving the chamber short of the required quorum. Parties are divided over placing upstream petroleum oversight under the Office of the President. Foot-and-Mouth Response: Compulsory vaccination has begun in parts of //Kharas. By 14 October, officials had inspected 63,011 animals and confirmed 131 cases across 18 farms. Genocide Negotiations: Germany’s parliament debated the 1904–08 genocide, as Die Linke renewed calls for legally recognised reparations and direct representation for Herero and Nama descendants in negotiations. Land Reform: A proposed Land Bill would expand the Land Tribunal’s role to include appeals from communal areas, with the minister stressing the need for fair, independent hearings. Education: The government plans 148 permanent classrooms and 66 pre-primary classrooms ahead of the 2027 school year, alongside 25 new schools to ease overcrowding. Foreign Policy: Namibia told the UN that deals involving Western Sahara’s resources require the Sahrawi people’s consent and called for a referendum on self-determination.

Colonial Accountability: German lawmakers debated calls for formal recognition of Germany’s legal responsibility for the genocide of the OvaHerero and Nama, and reparations for descendants. The proposals now go to committee. Foot-and-Mouth Response: Namibia has begun compulsory vaccination in the Karasburg district, with three rounds planned over three months, as authorities work to contain the outbreak and build a new disease-control fence. Anti-Corruption: The ACC says 55 of its 94 accumulated Erongo cases are under investigation and 21 are before the courts. Its director warned corruption could undermine the country’s oil and gas prospects. Public Oversight: Parliament is debating 13 appointments to the Employment Equity Commission, with MPs calling for stronger enforcement and adequate resources. State Services: TransNamib’s N$2.6 billion locomotive plan still needs lender approval before procurement can proceed. Separately, an audit found N$20.3 million in student loan repayments had not been credited to NSFAF accounts.

FMD Response: Namibia has begun compulsory vaccination in the Karasburg veterinary district, with three rounds planned over three months. Authorities report 131 positive cases across 18 farms; farmers are pressing for supervised livestock sales to limit losses from movement restrictions. Energy Policy: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare appointed John Titus as Namibia’s first Nuclear Commissioner and established a government committee to coordinate preparations for a long-term nuclear programme. Digital Government: Cabinet has directed the ICT ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister to develop an AI policy for public servants, with cybersecurity and data protection among the priorities. Public Spending: Gender minister Emma Kantema says grant recipients flagged in an audit may have qualified under rules allowing support for students aged 18 to 21; the ministry is checking eligibility and removing unverified beneficiaries. Investment and Jobs: The National Planning Commission will hold its public-private forum on 25–26 November, shifting its focus to implementing commitments and tracking results.

Public-Sector AI: Cabinet has directed the ICT ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister to develop a policy guiding artificial intelligence use in government, with cybersecurity and data protection among the priorities. Genocide Declaration: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare urged Namibians to unite around a common position on the contested declaration, as Germany’s Bundestag debated the issue. Rule of Law: Namibia warned the UN that selective application of international law and misuse of Security Council vetoes are eroding trust and accountability. Public Finance: An audit found N$323 million in child grants went to ineligible or deceased recipients, including N$28.8 million in duplicate payments. FMD Response: Veterinary services underspent their budget by N$13.1 million in 2024/25, despite mounting livestock-disease risks; the ministry says it needs about N$200 million to strengthen containment. Football Governance: The NFA suspended its finance director amid allegations of financial irregularities, shortly after receiving N$90 million in Namport sponsorship.

Rule of Law: A High Court ruling allowed emergency construction of the //Kharas FMD fence to continue, but criticised the procurement board for failing to explain why it cancelled the original tender. The case is a reminder that urgency does not remove the duty to follow procurement rules. Student Loans: NSFAF recovered just N$21.5 million of its N$11.7 billion loan portfolio in 2024/25. Auditors cited weak debt tracing and records, and N$20.3 million in repayments left unallocated. Livestock Protection: FMD has spread to the Zambezi Region, raising the risk to farmers, trade and food security. Omaheke leaders are urging a regional action plan and stronger prevention measures. Nuclear Oversight: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare appointed John Titus as Namibia’s first nuclear commissioner to coordinate preparations for possible nuclear power, including safety, funding and waste management. Financial Integrity: The Financial Intelligence Centre flagged N$103.84 billion in transactions linked to potential tax offences between 2009 and 2025. The figure is not confirmed tax evasion, but the FIC says Namibia must turn its removal from the FATF grey list into stronger investigations and prosecutions. Mental Health: The government plans five additional mental health units by 2037, amid a reported suicide rate above the African average and a shortage of psychiatrists.

FMD and Procurement: A new foot-and-mouth outbreak in Zambezi is raising concern as fence construction continues. The High Court criticized the Central Procurement Board for failing to explain its cancellation of the fence tender, but rejected a bid to halt the contract. Mining Benefits: PDM leader McHenry Venaani wants 2% to 5% of mining royalties channelled to community trusts; the government says royalties currently flow to the state. Namibia has also adopted a strategy to encourage local processing of minerals. Public Accountability: IPC MP Nelson Kalangula says the N$20 million feasibility study for the planned Namibia Air launch should be made public. Finance Minister Erica Shafudah says a possible N$815 million GIPF investment loss remains unconfirmed while a tax dispute continues. Farm Support: Government has made N$70 million available to buy surplus maize, but the Agronomic Board needs another N$50 million to purchase all available grain. Education and Jobs: Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge urged young people to build practical skills and create jobs, while Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp called for stronger teaching and school support.

FMD Response: The High Court allowed emergency construction of the southern border fence to continue as foot-and-mouth disease spreads, but reprimanded the procurement board over its handling of the original tender. Namibia has reported 127 cases across 15 farms. Health Services: The government plans at least five mental health units nationwide by 2037, alongside increased funding and specialist training, as officials warn of high demand and limited access to care. International Affairs: Namibia is represented at a Libya meeting of the African Committee of Ten, which is pressing for two permanent UN Security Council seats for Africa, with full powers. Government Oversight: The High Court rejected the industries minister’s approval of a cement-sector merger, renewing questions about ministerial power to override the competition watchdog. Development: Germany and Namibia have agreed on N$103 million for energy access and sustainable critical-minerals projects.