Clean energy transition is a necessity for Namibia and Africa
via The Namibian6 min read
Fossil fuels are driving a global cost crisis for households, businesses, and nations, with geopolitical conflicts and instability leading to rising prices for fuel, food, and basic goods. This erodes purchasing power and strains economies worldwide. The International Energy Agency describes the current situation as the greatest global energy security threat in history, with constricted oil and gas supplies driving inflation. In Africa, many countries face rising food and fuel prices, which strain household budgets and social safety nets, potentially pushing global hunger to record levels. Namibia is experiencing higher input costs for food, fuel, and transport, impacting households and small businesses, especially in rural and lower-income areas. While some advocate for slowing the shift to renewable energy, this approach defies economic logic given the likelihood of recurring energy price shocks and accelerated global warming. Climate-related disasters, such as storms, droughts, fires, and floods, are already disrupting agriculture and damaging infrastructure across Africa, forcing governments to divert resources from development to emergency response. In Namibia, climate shocks are pressuring food systems, water availability, and livelihoods. Accelerating the transition to clean energy systems offers a viable solution, addressing both the climate crisis and cost pressures linked to fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are not dependent on vulnerable s
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadNamibia has been chosen to host the headquarters of the inter-continental Global Water Partnership Organisation GWPO, following an 18-month competitive selection process. Alex Simalabwi, GWPO chief executive and global water partnership executive secretary, announced this on Wednesday at the 2026 commemoration of Africa Public Service Day in Swakopmund. He highlighted Namibia's professionalism, political stability, infrastructure, leadership, and extensive experience in water management within one of the world's driest regions as key factors in its selection. Simalabwi praised the Namibia Water Corporation as a leading water utility and recognized the Gammams Water Reclamation Plant in Windhoek as a global model for sustainable water supplies in water-scarce countries. He emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships and adopting integrated approaches for water security. The relocation of GWPO headquarters from Stockholm, Sweden, to Windhoek is expected to position Namibia as a global center for water dialogue, innovation, and knowledge sharing, creating employment opportunities, promoting skills development, and generating economic benefits. This move further solidifies Namibia's role as a global reference in water management and provides a platform to share its expertise internationally.
The Bankers Association of Namibia highlights the substantial, often overlooked, contributions of its members to the Namibian economy. These include job creation, tax payments, and investments in pension funds and the financial system. In the third quarter of 2025, the banking sector remained well-capitalized, profitable, and liquid, with total assets increasing by 3.1% to N$184.7 billion. Beyond corporate tax, the sector collects and remits pay-as-you-earn, and employees contribute VAT. Research indicates that between 2016 and 2021, the financial and insurance services industry contributed 4.2% to GDP, making it the third-largest sector. Over a longer period from 1996 to 2021, its average GDP contribution was 4.2%, ranking it fourth among tertiary industries. The Bank of Namibia reports that the financial sector, broadly defined, contributed an average of about 7.1% to the country鈥檚 GDP between 2015 and 2024. Bank loans averaged around 53% of GDP between 2011 and 2024. The total money in the economy, including cash and savings, was about 64% of GDP in 2024, higher than the sub-Saharan Africa average of 54%. The banking sector alone employs over 6,000 people, with an annual salary bill of N$1.842 billion across five major commercial banks, generating N$500 million in annual employee tax contributions. Profitable banks sustain payrolls, expand hiring, invest in digital infrastructure, and offer staff pension schemes. They also retain earnings to build capital buffers, supporti
Namibia's Police Tourism Protective Subdivision has achieved a reduction in criminal cases against tourists since February 2026, according to chief inspector Christina DaFonsech-Shikongo, head of the unit. The unit engages daily with approximately 1,035 tourists arriving from 14 international flights at Hosea Kutako International Airport, providing crime prevention tips and contact details for regional commanders. While 376 outstanding cases were carried over to the unit in February, only 57 new cases involving 20 suspects were reported by June of this year. Of these, 36 cases have been finalized, resulting in convictions and jail sentences. Robbery, previously the most common crime, has been surpassed by theft from motor vehicles, particularly at bed-and-breakfast facilities with insufficient security. Since February, the unit has recovered 37 cellphones, four laptops, one iPad, and a Gucci handbag, all stolen from tourists, and returned them to their owners. DaFonsech-Shikongo advises tourists against advance bookings and payments with unregistered car hire companies or using credit cards for services unless dealing with genuine providers. Challenges faced by the unit include language barriers with some tourists and difficulties investigating crimes by unregistered tour guides due to a lack of reliable records.