insert_link Business / Economics B2Gold continues workforce downsizing at Otjikoto mine B2Gold has confirmed it will proceed with further workforce reductions at its Otjikoto mine, involving involuntary separations. This decision follows a comprehensive review by a dedicated retrenchment committee, in collaboration with the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) branch executive committee on site. Eric Barnard, General Manager of Otjikoto Mine, detailed the process, saying, “We have a retrenchment committee that evaluated the necessary reductions across various departments. This effort was not […] todayJuly 22, 2024 32
insert_link Business / Economics 22 July 2024 Morning Biz News: Green Hydrogen Boosts Jobs in Namibia; Rand Weakens, Oil Prices Rise in Global Markets Green Hydrogen Sector Sparks Job Creation in Namibia Green hydrogen pilot projects in Namibia's Central Valley are making significant strides, creating over 200 jobs and awarding nearly N$170 million in contracts to local small and medium-sized enterprises, according to The Brief. Eline van der Linden, Head of Impact and ESG for the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, emphasized that these developments are crucial for advancing the green hydrogen sector. Each job […] todayJuly 22, 2024 24
insert_link Africa Nigeria Fines Meta $220 Million for Data Privacy Violations Nigeria has fined Meta Platforms $220 million for violating local consumer, data protection, and privacy laws, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission announced on Friday as per Reuters. The FCCPC found that Meta misappropriated Nigerian users' data without consent, abused its market dominance by imposing exploitative privacy policies, and treated Nigerian users discriminatorily compared to other jurisdictions with similar regulations. todayJuly 22, 2024 12
insert_link Business / Economics US airlines begin resuming operations after global IT outage Multiple US airlines said they were beginning to resume operations Friday following a major worldwide computer systems outage that grounded or delayed thousands of flights across the country. The IT issue has wrought global havoc at airports, grounding flights in Europe and the United States, while also derailing television broadcasts in the UK and impacting telecommunications in Australia. At Dulles International Airport outside of Washington, Evyn […] todayJuly 19, 2024 26
insert_link Business / Economics Ursula von der Leyen Re-Elected as EU President: What This Means for Namibia Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected for another five-year term as the EU's top official following a secret ballot in the European Parliament. Local Business and Economics Researcher Josef Kefas Sheehama has shared his thoughts on her potential areas of focus during her new term. todayJuly 19, 2024 63
insert_link Business / Economics 19 July 2024 Morning Biz News: Financial News Roundup: Meatco’s Turnaround Concerns, South African Repo Rate Unchanged, Naira Depreciates, and Dollar Steady Amid Fed Speculation 1. Meat Corporation Turnaround Strategy Under Scrutiny Finance and Public Enterprises Minister Iipumbu Shiimi has voiced concerns over the Meat Corporation's (Meatco) turnaround strategy, according to The Brief. Despite the government injecting N$1 billion in subsidies over the past three years, Shiimi is dissatisfied with the company's lack of substantial progress. The effectiveness of the turnaround plan remains a key issue, with expectations for better performance and return on investment […] todayJuly 19, 2024 16
insert_link Business / Economics INTERVIEW:: Business and Economics Researcher Josef K. Sheehama on Ursula von der Leyen’s Re-election Business and economics researcher Josef K. Sheehama recently shared his insights on Ursula von der Leyen’s re-election as President of the European Commission. Sheehama believes that von der Leyen's continued leadership will be advantageous for both European and Namibian interests, particularly in the context of ongoing strategic partnerships and investments. Expanding European Defense Initiatives Sheehama highlighted that von der Leyen's re-election comes at a critical time when European defense strategies […] todayJuly 19, 2024 22
insert_link Africa 7th SADC Industrialisation week to be held in Harare The 7th SADC Industrialisation Week, aimed at driving regional economic growth, is scheduled for 28 July to 2 August 2024 in Harare, Zimbabwe. This public-private engagement platform aims to foster new opportunities for intra-African trade, develop cross-border value chains, and identify investment prospects across Southern Africa. Elijah Mukubonda, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade. todayJuly 18, 2024 47
insert_link Africa Africa’s 5G rollout gains speed By Bonface Orucho, via bird story agency Months after Egypt awarded its first 5G license to Telecom Egypt in a 15-year deal, the operator has partnered with Nokia to accelerate the rollout and deployment of 5G technology across the country. A statement from Telecom Egypt on July 15 described the partnership as one that would “revolutionize the country’s telecom landscape by introducing the transformative power of […] todayJuly 18, 2024 27