🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Bank Windhoek introduces WhatsApp banking service
via The Namibian5 min read
Bank Windhoek has launched a WhatsApp banking service to enhance digital access, allowing customers to conduct transactions and access services through the messaging platform. James Chapman, Bank Windhoek managing director, stated that this innovation builds on the bank's legacy, recalling their introduction of cellphone banking in Namibia in 2006. He emphasized that the new service aims to meet customers where they connect and communicate, aligning with the global trend of FinTechs and payment service providers. Linda Aipinge-Nakale, executive director in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, noted the disappearing separation between banking and communication sectors. She highlighted that mobile technology is now central to how people communicate, consume information, and access services, including managing finances. This shift means banking is increasingly shaped by platforms, connectivity, data, and digital behavior, with customers expecting financial services within their everyday digital environments.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Namibia sold 1,069 Japanese vehicles in March, making Japan the country's largest source of vehicles, an increase from 728 units in February. Almandro Jansen of Simonis Storm Securities noted that this rise was driven by strong demand in both passenger and light commercial segments. This marks the strongest March performance since 2015, bringing first-quarter volumes to 3,835 units, surpassing the 3,412 vehicles sold in 2025. Total vehicle sales in March reached 1,662 units, a 43% increase from February and 25.3% higher than March 2025. Japanese brands accounted for 64.3% of total sales, with Toyota contributing 882 units. China followed with 219 units, and German manufacturers sold 212 vehicles, largely driven by Volkswagen. The United States accounted for 85 units. The commercial vehicle segment saw a significant increase to 916 vehicles in March from 583 in February, a 57.1% rise and the highest level on record. Light commercial vehicles made up the majority at 797 units, with Toyota delivering 486. Demand was supported by activity in logistics, mining, agriculture, and energy sectors, as well as fleet purchases and fulfillment of delayed orders from 2025. Passenger vehicle sales also rose to 746 units from 579 in February, a 28.8% increase. Rental companies purchased 193 vehicles in March, accounting for 11.6% of total sales as they prepare for the peak tourism season.
Aska Ndategako Orlale, 32, recently fulfilled her dream of discovering her Kenyan roots and meeting her paternal relatives. Her journey to Kenya last month, made possible through tracing relatives on Facebook and X, coincided with the 24th anniversary of her late father, Kenneth Orlale. Her father, an English teacher, had moved from Nairobi to Windhoek before Namibia's independence in 1990, working under the United Nations Development Programme. He met Aska's mother, Hertha Kuume, in Namibia. Aska, a Namibian-Kenyan, traveled to Nairobi, where she was met by her uncles, Dan and Martin Orlale, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Her 14-day itinerary included visits to her father’s grave in Lambwe Valley, Homa Bay County, meeting his friends and former schoolmates, and addressing students at Kamato Mixed Secondary, a school her father started. She also enjoyed a game drive at Ruma National Park and a boat ride in Lake Victoria, visiting mausoleums of Kenyan freedom fighters. Aska's trip was an emotional journey of self-discovery, reminiscent of Alex Hailey's 'Roots' and Barack Obama's visits to his Kenyan fatherland.
Zambezi Exploration, a petroleum exploration licence holder, lost an urgent application in the Windhoek High Court regarding a petroleum exploration licence for block 2812A. The company claimed a rival, Vena Gemstones & Mining, was awarded the licence after intervention from State House. Acting judge David Mangota ruled that Zambezi Exploration's application did not meet the requirements for an urgent matter, stating that the urgency was self-created. Zambezi Exploration's chief executive, Risco Mutelo, alleged that the current minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse, decided to grant Vena Gemstones & Mining the licence following a letter from State House in December last year, which he claimed instructed Amutse to proceed with issuing the licence to Vena Gemstones & Mining for block 2812Ab. Mutelo further claimed Amutse's decision was unlawful as no licence application from Vena Gemstones & Mining was pending at the time. Amutse filed a counter-application, asking the court to declare Zambezi Exploration's licence application lapsed in February, September, or November 2023, and to nullify all decisions made by then minister Tom Alweendo after Zambezi Exploration's application lapsed. Mangota noted that Zambezi Exploration was aware since January 2023 that Canadian Global Energy Corp relinquished its interest in block 2812Ab but did not apply for the licence itself, instead waiting until later to act. The court struck the application from the urgent roll and
Swapo will proceed with its 66th-anniversary celebrations on Sunday, April 26, 2026, while respecting a court order that allows ex-combatants to continue their protest at the party’s head office in Windhoek. Information secretary Hilma Nicanor confirmed that the celebrations will go ahead, stating that the party respects the law and the court ruling in favor of the ex-combatants. She added that the party's leadership will meet to determine the way forward. The group of war veterans has been camping at the party’s head office since October, demanding accountability for funds they claim were allocated to help exiled Namibians return home before independence. An urgent application by Swapo to evict the group was struck off the roll of the Windhoek High Court last week. Group spokesperson Matheus Nangolo stated they would not leave and expects more ex-combatants to join until their grievances are addressed. Party president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah congratulated members, veterans, supporters, and sympathizers for sustaining the party over the decades, highlighting its role in the struggle for independence and building a prosperous Namibia.