The Brief

23/12/2025

Namibia named Africa’s most authentic tourism destination

Namibia has been recognised as Africa’s most authentic and in-demand tourism destination, with the assessment linked partly to the growing influence of digital travel planning platforms, according to the African Tourism Board (ATB).

The ATB said the recognition is based on market intelligence gathered from Germany and the United States, which indicates rising international interest in Namibia as a destination that prioritises responsible, informed and experience-driven travel.

According to the board, specialised digital platforms are playing an increasingly important role in shaping travel decisions, particularly for destinations that require advance planning and longer stays. One such platform, VisitSossusvleiNamibia.com, was recently named Booking Portal of the Month and has become a key planning resource for travellers visiting Namibia’s desert attractions, including Sossusvlei and Deadvlei.

https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/namibia-named-africas-most-authentic-tourism-destination/

22/12/2025

TOP 5 BUSINESS STORIES THIS WEEK



1. Namibia’s transport sector creates over 30,000 direct jobs- https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/namibias-transport-sector-creates-over-30000-direct-jobs/



2. ⁠ Streaming and social media drive Namibia’s data revenue to N$928m in Q3- https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/streaming-and-social-media-drive-namibias-data-revenue-to-n928m-in-q3/



3. ⁠ Govt targets N$300m growth in fisheries sector contribution to N$10.7bn by 2030- https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/govt-targets-n300m-growth-in-fisheries-sector-contribution-to-n10-7bn-by-2030/



4. ⁠ Namibia’s economy registers 1.9% growth to N$66.4bn in Q3- https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/namibias-economy-registers-1-9-growth-to-n66-4bn-in-q3/



5. Namibia’s gambling industry revenue set to reach N$948m by end-2025- https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/namibias-gambling-industry-revenue-projected-to-reach-n948m-by-end-2025/



Read more - http://www.thebrief.com.na

21/12/2025

Consent without choice

It starts quietly and it is now everywhere.

You want to pay your water bill. You are asked for a phone number before the system will proceed. You need a tax service.

The same demand appears. You go to the cinema and cannot collect a ticket or buy snacks unless your number is sent a WhatsApp message.

At the supermarket, discounts are locked behind loyalty cards that require your personal details before you can benefit.

https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/consent-without-choice/

19/12/2025

Our Friday edition is out now – catch up on the latest business and finance news from Namibia. Read it here, click link:
https://epaper.thebrief24.com/2025/December%202025/The-Brief-19-December-2025.pdfjoin our WhatsApp channel to get The Brief straight to your phone on https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va3Fe3j8V0twuTyCRm2g to get our daily edition and stay updated with Namibia’s business and finance news, every weekday.

19/12/2025

GET YOUR FREE COPY: Get the full picture of Namibia’s economic year and the road ahead. Download a free copy of The Brief’s Year in Review 2025 | Outlook 2026, our annual publication bringing together analysis and features with insights from leading figures in business and finance. Read or download it now. https://epaper.thebrief24.com/2025/December%202025/The-Brief-Year-In-Review-2025.pdf

19/12/2025

Namibia’s gambling industry revenue set to reach N$948m by end-2025

Namibia’s gaming sector is expected to generate about N$948 million (US$55.79 million) in revenue by the end of 2025, according to Statista, as growth in land-based casinos and rising mobile pe*******on continue to support the market.

Statista said traditional casinos remain the main source of gaming revenue, contributing an estimated N$373.8 million a year.

The sector currently operates 2,845 registered gaming machines across six licensed casinos, alongside 254 gambling establishments run by about 260 approved operators.

https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/namibias-gambling-industry-revenue-projected-to-reach-n948m-by-end-2025/

19/12/2025

Ebson Uanguta appointed Governor of Bank of Namibia

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Ebson Uanguta as Governor of the Bank of Namibia, with effect from 1 January 2026, for a five-year term.

Uanguta succeeds Johannes !Gawaxab, who is the outgoing governor of the central bank.

Prior to his appointment, Uanguta served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Namibia from 1 January 2012, during which time he was involved in the institution’s policy formulation, governance and oversight functions.

https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/ebson-uanguta-appointed-governor-of-bank-of-namibia/

Breaking Business News & In-Depth Economic Analysis

19/12/2025

Namibia’s fuel prices to remain unchanged in January 2026

The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has announced that fuel prices in Namibia will remain unchanged for January 2026.

Petrol 95 will continue to retail at N$20.58 per litre, while Diesel 50 parts per million (ppm) will remain at N$20.13 per litre and Diesel 10ppm at N$20.23 per litre.

The ministry said the decision followed a review of global and domestic market conditions.

During the review period from 1 to 16 December 2025, the Namibia dollar strengthened against the US dollar, averaging N$16.97 to the dollar. This represents a 1.46% appreciation from the November average of N$17.2193.

https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/namibias-fuel-prices-to-remain-unchanged-in-january-2026/

19/12/2025

CRAN renews CEO Emilia Nghikembua’s contract for second five-year term

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has renewed the contract of its Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua, for a second five-year term, effective from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.

CRAN said Nghikembua’s reappointment reflects confidence in her leadership and the progress achieved in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors under her tenure.

A legal practitioner with qualifications in law, ICT policy and business leadership, Nghikembua holds degrees from the University of Namibia and the University of the Witwatersrand, including an Executive MBA specialising in business and technology.

https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/cran-renews-ceo-emilia-nghikembuas-contract-for-second-five-year-term/

19/12/2025

Namibia spends N$630.8m on cereal imports in Q3

Namibia imported cereal grains valued at N$630.8 million in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 12.1% decline from the N$717.8 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).

In its Agriculture and Fishing Indicators Statistical Bulletin for the third quarter, the NSA said maize was the most imported grain during the period, with imports valued at N$310.6 million. Wheat followed closely at N$305.8 million, while rice imports amounted to N$3.5 million.

The bulk of cereal grain imports during the quarter were sourced from South Africa, which accounted for 41.1%, followed by Latvia at 33.4% and the United States of America at 12.0%, the bulletin showed.

https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/namibia-spends-n630-8m-on-cereal-imports-in-q3/

19/12/2025

Namibia risks missing 200,000-household electrification target without N$800m a year

Namibia risks falling short of the National Development Plan 6 (NDP6) target of connecting 200,000 new households to electricity, a goal that would require about 33,000 new connections a year and investment of roughly N$800 million annually.

According to Abraham Hangula, Deputy Director for Energy and Planning in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the country continues to face challenges in expanding electricity access.

He said the proportion of households connected to the national grid declined from 49% in 2018 to 47% in 2022.

https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/namibia-risks-missing-200000-household-electrification-target-without-n800m-a-year/

19/12/2025

Govt extends consultation period on Investment Promotion Bill

The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) has announced an extension of the deadline for public comments on the Namibia Investment Promotion Bill (NIPB) and its accompanying regulations.

Nationwide consultations, which were initially due to close on 12 December 2025, have now been extended to 31 January 2026.

According to MIRT, the extension was granted due to the complexity and scope of the bill, which differs significantly from previous drafts and carries wide-ranging implications for investors and the broader economy.

https://thebrief.com.na/2025/12/govt-extends-consultation-period-on-investment-promotion-bill/