World Bank cuts Africa growth forecast

World Bank cuts Africa growth forecast

The World Bank has downgraded its economic growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa. Bloomberg reports that Sub-Saharan Africa will likely grow 3% this year, somewhat lower than an April forecast of 3.4%, the Washington-based lender said in its Africa Pulse report published Monday. The slower growth rate was largely blamed on the conflict in Sudan which started 18 months ago and has continued to escalate.

October 15, 2024 13

Business / Economics

FNB Namibia expects inflation to reach 4.7% in September

FNB Namibia expects headline inflation to increase to 4.7% year-on-year in September from 4.4% in August, mainly driven by rising food and non-alcoholic beverage prices because of the ongoing drought, while transport costs continue to decline. Core inflation is expected to slightly decrease from 3.8% in August to 3.7% in September. FNB Namibia economist Helena Mboti, explains.

October 2, 2024 30

Local

The Namibian economy is expected to grow by 3.1 percent in 2024

The Bank of Namibia released the Economic Outlook for August 2024 with the domestic economy estimated to expand by 3.1 percent in 2024 and by 3.9 percent in 2025. Global and Regional Outlook Global economic growth is projected to remain low in 2024 before improving slightly in 2025. Global growth is projected to slow down to 3.2 percent in 2024, from 3.3 percent in 2023, before rising moderately to […]

August 8, 2024 20

Business / Economics

Bank of Namibia holds repo rate at 7.75%

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Namibia has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 7.75 percent, with the prime lending rate holding steady at 11.50 percent. This is the second monetary policy announcement by BoN this year. Governor of the Bank Johannes !Gawaxab. Governor !Gawaxab highlighted that risks to the domestic economic outlook have remained broadly unchanged since the previous MPC meeting, although the conflict in […]

April 17, 2024 30

Local

Governor! Gawaxab champions economic resilience and financial innovation at 2024 Cirrus investor conference

The Bank of Namibia, participated in the 5th edition of the Cirrus Investor Conference. Taking place in Swakopmund between 9-10 April 2024, the conference drew development finance institutions, institutional asset managers, listed companies, state-owned enterprises, and Government Ministries, offices and agencies together to connect Namibian securities issuers and potential issuers, with investors from around the world. Speaking at the event, the Governor of the Bank, Mr. Johannes !Gawaxab provided […]

April 10, 2024 7

Business / Economics

World oil demand grows amid Red Sea shipping disruptions: IEA

Global oil demand is forecast to grow more than expected due to a brighter US economic outlook and rising fuel needs of ships rerouted away from the Red Sea, the International Energy Agency said Thursday. Commercial ships have been taking longer and costlier journeys around the southern tip of Africa to avoid attacks by Yemen's Huthi rebels in the Red Sea, a vital international trade route. The […]

March 14, 2024 14

Local

Capricorn Group co-hosts national pre-budget public discussion

The Capricorn Group, in collaboration with the Economic Association of Namibia, GIZ and the High Economic Intelligence (HEI) on 20 February 2024, hosted a lively national pre-budget public discussion ahead of Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi's tabling of the national budget in the National Assembly on 28 February 2024. Held under the theme: The National Budget in an Election Year: Fiscal Expansion and Strategic Priorities, the event received an overwhelming […]

February 21, 2024 11

Business / Economics

What does an unchanged Repo rate mean to a GIPF member?

By Amos Kambonde, Manager: Marketing services at the Government Institutions Pension Fund. Recently, consumers received positive news with the announcement of an unchanged repo rate alongside an unchanged in fuel prices across Namibia. While these developments may seem distant from the average person's daily concerns, they hold significant implications, particularly for members of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF). Let's delve into what these announcements mean for […]

February 20, 2024 13

Namibia

President Mbumba officially opens first Cabinet meeting of 2024

President Nangolo Mbumba has inaugurated the first Cabinet of 2024 at State House, pointing out the country's economic recovery in different sectors. Mbumba attributed the industry success to the Harambee Prosperity Plan initiated by late President Hage Geingob. President Mbumba also revealed that Namibia's economic growth exceeded pre-pandemic levels, reaching 7.2% in the third quarter of 2023. The Bank of Namibia's Economic Outlook projects a GDP growth of 3.4% for […]

February 13, 2024 47