Agriculture

Floods in Nigeria destroy crops for 8.5 million people

Floods in Nigeria have devastated crops that could have fed 8.5 million people for six months, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation. Bloomberg News reports that the floods hit just as the harvest season began, submerging farmland in Africa's most populous country. Farmers, who expected a bumper harvest this year, have seen their groundnuts, vegetables, and rice fields flooded. Moreover, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has […]

26 September, 2024

Local

The Bank Windhoek Sustainability Bond completes N$407 million allocation

On Thursday, 19 September 2024, Bank Windhoek’s Chief Treasurer, Claire Hobbs, announced the release of the Bank’s third annual Sustainability Bond Impact Report, highlighting the ongoing commitment to responsible business practices and environmental stewardship for the 2023-2024 Financial Year. The Bank Windhoek Sustainability Bond was issued based on the Sustainable Bond Framework, with the first tranche issued in June 2021, raising N$227 million, and the second in December […]

23 September, 2024

Business / Economics

Bank of Namibia symposium highlights agriculture’s growth potential

The Bank of Namibia concluded its 25th Annual Symposium in Windhoek today, focusing on the theme, "Global Value Chains for Inclusive Development: How Can Namibia Position Its Agriculture Sector?" The event brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening Namibia's agricultural sector to drive inclusive growth. BoN Governor Johannes !Gawaxab, in his address, highlighted the critical role of agriculture in Namibia's economic development. He referenced a recent World […]

19 September, 2024

Business / Economics

Namibia exports N$139 million in horticultural products

The Namibia Statistics Agency has released the Agriculture and Fishing Statistical Bulletin during the second quarter of 2024. Namibia exported horticultural products valued at N$ 139.1 million. This, according to NSA spokesperson Mirjam Shihepo, is lower when compared to N$ 167.8 million that was exported in the same quarter of 2023.

18 September, 2024

Africa

Sudan is the world’s worst modern war – what has happened and what it’ll take to rebuild

By Kagure Gacheche, The Conversation Sudan’s war has been raging since April 2023. The country was on a bumpy road to democracy after mass uprisings in 2019 ousted long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir. This all came to a halt when troops from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary force, attacked a military airstrip in the early hours of 15 April 2023. In the months since, fighting between the […]

2 September, 2024

Africa

Sierra Leone’s women farmers use a custom called bora to access land – but it’s making them more vulnerable

By Bankolay Theodore Turay, University of Lagos Bora – a type of thank you gift – is a Sierra Leonean custom of respect that is often used in relation to land. For instance, informal farmers pay bora to landowners to be able to farm on their land. But bora has changed over the years and is having a negative impact on women, who are responsible for much of […]

21 August, 2024

Business / Economics

16 August 2024 Morning Biz News: Business Financial Solutions Invests Over N$1.9 Billion in Namibian SMEs, Standard Bank Expands in Angola and Nigeria, and Dollar Strengthens Amid Positive U.S. Economic Data

Business Financial Solutions Drives SME Growth with Over N$1.9 Billion Investment Windhoek, Namibia – Business Financial Solutions has made a significant impact on Namibia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through its Namibia Procurement Fund, investing over N$1.9 billion over the past 13 years. According to a report by The Brief, this substantial investment has facilitated the creation of more than 6,200 jobs, the training of over 1,000 SMEs, and the […]

16 August, 2024

Namibia

Agriculture Minister discusses aquifer pollution risks

The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein is visiting the Omaheke and Otjozondjupa Regions to engage with regional leaders, Communal Land Boards, Resettlement Committees, and farmers. During a community meeting in Leonardville, the Minister discussed the Stampriet Aquifer, where he explained how underground mining can pollute water sources.

15 August, 2024

Namibia

New Dairy Scheme Aims to Boost Local Production and Reduce Imports

The Agriculture, Water and Land Reform ministry has launched a dairy value chain development scheme to support 60 existing dairy producers across the Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Hardap, and Zambezi regions in 2024/25. The initiative, which includes subsidies on production stock, veterinary medicine, and equipment, aims to build a modern, self-sustaining dairy industry in Namibia. The scheme seeks to reduce reliance on dairy imports by integrating small-scale rural producers into the national […]

14 August, 2024