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 74
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 17
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 27
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 50
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 29
Africa East Africa grows its Space opportunity By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency A futuristic solar-powered plane designed to fly between 60,000 and 80,000 feet above the earth, beyond regulated airspace, is set to take off in Kenya, adding to a growing number of high-altitude and space projects in East Africa. Aalto, a startup spun out by passenger aircraft giant Airbus in 2023, manufactures the solar-electric Zephyr HAPS aircraft and has indicated it will soon […] todayJuly 18, 2024 18
insert_link Business / Economics 11-18 July 2024 Weekly Economics Wrap: Cross-Border Green Hydrogen Pipeline Feasibility Study Advances Amid Economic Shifts Across Southern Africa and Global Markets Namibia-South Africa Green Hydrogen Pipeline Feasibility Study The Mines and Energy Ministry of Namibia has announced plans to conduct a N$5 million feasibility study for a cross-border green hydrogen pipeline linking Namibia and South Africa. This initiative, overseen by Namibia's Green Hydrogen Programme, follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations at the May 2024 World Hydrogen Summit. South African Economic Highlights Rand Strengthens on U.S. […] todayJuly 18, 2024 16
insert_link Business / Economics 18 July 2024 Morning Biz News Biz News Roundup: Key Financial Developments Building Approvals Surge in Windhoek The City of Windhoek has approved 928 building plans in the first half of 2024, valued at N$921.9 million, as reported by The Brief. This represents a 1.4% increase in the number of plans and a substantial 30.0% increase in their value compared to the same period in 2023. However, IJG Securities highlighted a 16.3% decrease in the number of approvals and a marginal 0.1% […] todayJuly 18, 2024 19
insert_link Business / Economics IMF projects Namibia’s GDP growth to slow to 3.6% in 2024 The International Monetary Fund forecasts that real GDP growth in Namibia will slow to 3.6% in 2024, owing to global macroeconomic headwinds and tight monetary conditions. The fund released its World Economic Outlook Update on 16 July 2024. Similarly, the African Development Bank forecasts a decline in GDP to 3.3% for both 2024 and 2025, driven by weak global demand and a contraction in agriculture. todayJuly 17, 2024 40