馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Microlenders dispute blame for Namibia's debt crisis, citing broader socio-economic factors
via The Namibian5 min read
The Micro Lenders Association MLA has refuted claims that it is responsible for Namibia's debt crisis, attributing the issue to wider socio-economic pressures, weak savings, and multiple credit sources. In a letter to the parliamentary standing committee on economics, the MLA stated that high debt levels stem from economic pressures on individuals, not predatory lending. This comes as the committee investigates the protection of civil servants from microlenders. Namibian households owe N$78 billion in debt, with nearly 10% owed to microlenders, according to December 2025 data from the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority Namfisa. The MLA's lawyer, Charles Visser, argued that this percentage is too low to be the primary cause of civil servant debt, pointing instead to structural challenges like high unemployment and inequality. While Namfisa does not track borrower employment status, it believes civil servants are a significant client base due to their stable incomes. The MLA acknowledged that the system allowing direct salary deductions for loan payments, created by the government to broaden financial access, has issues and requires careful regulation, though only 12% of 2025 term loans used these codes, primarily by banks. The Economic and Social Justice Trust, however, contends that debt is a survival mechanism for many Namibians struggling with inadequate incomes, with 55% earning N$5,000 or less monthly. They advocate for stronger action against illegal le
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadCristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the first player to score in six World Cup campaigns, netting twice in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. The win in Houston puts Portugal on the verge of the knockout rounds. Ronaldo's first goal came after six minutes, and he added a second with a cool finish before halftime, bringing his total to 10 World Cup goals, surpassing Eusebio. Following what he described as a "dark week," Ronaldo expressed his relief and dedication to the national team's objectives. Despite recent criticism regarding his form, coach Roberto Martinez has maintained his support for the captain. Nuno Mendes scored Portugal's second goal, and an own goal from Abduvohid Nematov made it 4-0. Substitute Rafael Leao scored the fifth goal in the 87th minute. Portugal's next match is against Colombia.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia Cran has concluded its reconsideration process regarding Starlink's rejected license application, according to Cran chief executive Emilia Nghikembua. She stated that Cran has exhausted all available avenues and its role in this application is now complete. Aggrieved parties are advised to invoke Section 32 of the Communications Act by bringing an application for review before the High Court. Cran initially rejected Starlink's license application on March 23. Starlink's own reconsideration request, submitted on June 8, was dismissed as it fell outside the 30-day submission window, which closed on April 22. Nghikembua clarified that neither the Communications Act nor regulations permit Cran to condone late applications. Of the 624 reconsideration requests from the public, 622 were dismissed for not meeting legal requirements, such as clearly indicating what needed reconsideration or providing valid reasons. Only two applications met procedural requirements and were considered on merit. A key argument raised was that Starlink would improve competition and bridge connectivity gaps, but Cran had already considered these points during its initial decision. Nghikembua emphasized that licensing assessments are based on six criteria, all of which must be satisfied. Ownership requirements, specifically the 51% local ownership or control, were a prominent issue, with the minister having rejected an exemption request. Cran also declined
NamPower is rolling out a multi-billion dollar transmission expansion program to strengthen Namibia's electricity network and meet growing demand. This initiative was announced at the inauguration of the new Sekelduin Substation in Swakopmund, a N$394 million project completed between July 2021 and March 2023. NamPower managing director Kahenge Haulofu stated that the substation is part of efforts to strengthen the national electricity transmission system and addresses rising electricity demand in the Erongo region due to mining, industrial development, and population growth. The Sekelduin Substation will supply Swakopmund and Tamarisk substations, the NamWater South bulk water scheme, and the Erongo Red distribution network. It is also noted as Africa's first digital substation, designed and built by African engineers. Haulofu mentioned that NamPower's transmission master plan includes other major projects such as the 400-kilovolt Auas-Kokerboom transmission line, the 400-kilovolt Obib-Oranjemund interconnector, and the Khomas, Erongo, and Masivi substation developments, all aimed at improving grid reliability, stability, and power transfer capacity. Namibia's transmission network currently covers approximately 12,060 kilometers of high and medium-voltage lines.